Trekking through the Hrafntinnusker caldera to the Eldgjá fault

Obsidian rock is called Hrafntinna in Icelandic. If you translate the word Hrafntinna into english it means something as ,,Raven´s Rock". That for sure has to do with the bluish black color of of the obsidian rock which resembles the color of the raven´s feathers.
This concentrated itinerary is part of a collection of trips that speak to the purist hiker with a spirit of adventure.  This year, we are offering several departures for a maximum number of twelve participants.
Our guides, all experienced mountaineers, will lead you safely through this incredible region. Starting at the foot of Hrafntinnusker caldera and ending at the fault of Eldgjá, this short trek will lead you through a magic world of volcanic features – huge lava fields, mountains of rhyolite, basalt, obsidian and pumice, through fields of hot springs, blast craters and fissures. You will discover dream-like, moss-filled valleys and drink from the freshest, clearest streams. Constantly watching over you are the majestic,  icecaps, surrounded by vast black and melt water streams. Presenting no difficulty for good walkers, on most days each member carries only a light daypack as a 4x4 truck carries all personal belongings, heavy equipment and supplies. Every day involves an average of 6-8 hours hiking. Accommodation, during the trek is a combination of some nights in comfortable expedition tents and some nights in well equipped mountain huts, all in beautiful locations. The isolation and severity of the landscape demands that each tour member is in good physical condition and that everyone actively participate in the trip. The group must work together to set up camp, prepare food etc.
This trek is designed for those who wish to fully experience unspoiled nature at its best, and to see what they may never even have dreamed of still exists. 

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Price: 189.900 ISK per person. Minimum 8 people.

Guaranteed departures:

12.júlí.-17.júlí
24.júlí - 29.júlí
05.ágúst - 10.ágúst
17.ágúst - 22.ágúst
29.ágúst - 03.september
10.september - 15.september

Rough itinerary:

Day 1: Landmannalaugar - Landmannahellir
Day 2: Hrafntinnusker  caldera
Day 3: Torfajökull – Mælifellssandur
Day 4: Strútslaug – Lake Hólmsárlón
Day 5: Álftavötn – Eldgjá fault
Day 6: North Fjallabak/South Coast - Reykjavík

Included in price: English speaking guide, transfer from/to Reykjavík by bus, jeep transfer for food and equipment between campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), tents & cooking gear. Accommodation during the trek, huts or tents.

Not included in price: Flights to/from Iceland, Transfer to/from Iceland, accommodation and meals in Reykjavík, drinks and other personal expenses, personal travel insurance.

Check out our equipment list for multy day treks.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1

First section: Landmannalaugar - Landmannahellir
Distance: 230 km driving + ??? km walking
Estimated travelling time: 4 hrs driving + 5-6 hrs walking
Vertical alteration: ~ 200 m

Early morning your guide will pick you up at your accommodation. Hiking clothes and daypacks must be ready for trekking. We drive for about 4 hours from Reykjavík, crossing a black desert near Mount Hekla volcano until we reach Landmannahellir cave. It´s been useful for ages and is still used as a base for farmers from the surrounding farmlands. It´s a very useful shelter when gathering thousands of sheep in the fall after they have been grasing free in the highlands all summer. A legendary place with thousands of stories to tell. It is located at the foot of the majestic Mount Lodmundur, reflecting in the beautiful lake Lodmundarvatn when the weather is still. We start our trek in the multi colored landscape of the Landmannalaugar mountains.

Day 2

Second section: Hike through Hrafntinnusker caldera
Distance:
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hours
Vertical alteration: ~ 600 m

We´ll start our slow climb to the colorful caldera of Hrafntinnusker. We will be walking among countless bubbling and steaming hot springs, crossing this pearl of the interior, famous for its incredible natural beauty. We are surrounded with amazing rhyolite mountains, formed in pink, brown, green, yellow, blue, purple, black, white, orange and red. The earth is glittering with innumerable black, glass like obsidian lava.

Day 3

Third section: Torfajökull - Mælifellssandur
Distance:
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hours
Vertical alteration: ~ 500 m

We´ll head down to South Fjallabak to cross the sands of Mælifellssandur. In the middle of this strange black flat desert stands the solitary cone of mount Mælifell, covered in fluorescent-colored moss. We are able to explore the extraordinary landscapes between the southern flank of the Torfajökull caldera and the mighty dome of the Mýrdalsjökull icecap. Beneath this huge sheet of ice lies Katla caldera, one of Iceland’s angriest volcanoes. She last erupted in 1918 and is long overdue for another since the time between eruptions is usually no more than 60 years.

Day 4

Fourth section: Strútslaug – Hólmsárlón lake
Distance:
Estimated travelling time: 7-8 hours
Vertical alteration: ~ 300 m

As we proceed to the shores of the long and narrow Hólmsárlón lake, we reach a place nicknamed the red baptismal fountain. The waterfalls at the end of the turquoise colored lake plunging into the red crater, is a sight to behold. Of course, we cannot resist taking a bath in Strútslaug, a nearby, natural hot spring pool.

Day 5

Fifth section: Álftavötn – Eldgjá Fault
Distance:
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hours
Vertical alteration: ~ 300 m

We follow the fault of Eldgjá, the longest eruptive fissure on earth, today covered with moss and crossed by clear streams. The 934-940 Eldgjá eruption, occurred in the same mountainous region as the famous Laki eruption 1783-1784 a few centuries later. During the six years this eruption was active, lava erupted from several vents along a discontinuous 75 km long fissure system and buried more than 781
square km of southern Iceland. Fortunately, huge eruptions like those of Eldgjá and Laki are  quite rare, otherwise, life in Iceland as we know it probably wouldn´t be possible.

Day 6

Sixth section: North Fjallabak or South Coast - Reykjavík
Distance: 240 km driving + ??? km walking
Estimated travelling time: 2-3 hours walking + 5 hrs driving
Vertical alteration: ~ 200 m

After enjoying the soft landscape of Álftavötn, or the “lakes of the swans”, in a short walk we join the trail of North Fjallabak near the inhabited farmands of the Skaftá district, bordering the enormous lava fields of Laki. Then, by bus we travel on the North Fjallabak route or along the sea shore of the South coast, to reach Reykjavik where we arrive in late afternoon.

Practical information:

Keflavik International Airport is 60 km from Reykjavik City center.

It is possible to choose different types of accommodations in Reykjavik. We recommend Reykjavík Backpackers and others.

Trip extension:  This trip can be combined with the 6 day South Coast & Highlands Discovery. You can also add 2 days to this trip by choosing to go on an extension to the Westmann Islands Archipelago.

Group size: Multi-national group 8 to 12 members (Note: for group sizes of 6-7 persons a small group surcharge applies) Staff or representatives accompanying professionals (e.g. photographers, journalists etc…) and other discounted travelers such as children, are excluded from the participant count.

Transport: 4x4 vehicle, specially modified for Icelandic highland use. Vehicle also carries all luggage and specialist equipment. A tired member can travel in the vehicle if necessary.

Food: We pride ourselves on providing the best cuisine in the highlands! Breakfast is Scandinavian-style, with muesli, breads, jams, fish and cheese. Packed lunch, with a variety of sandwich fillings, from smoked meat and fish to local cheese. Dinners involve fresh, local fish and meat dishes, with pasta, rice or potatoes, fresh vegetables and salad. Vegetarians and those with food allergies can be fully catered for with a range of tasty options. It is essential that you inform our office of any special food requirements at the time of booking!

Accommodation during the trip: Sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts (usually one, comfortable, mixed bunkhouse) and depending on route and conditions, at the peak of the season 1 or 2 nights may be spent in spacious double tents equipped with comfortable mattress. Showers are available in most of the huts.

Trip preparation and notes: Walking level - Moderate. 6-day assisted trek, carrying a light daypack. This should present no serious difficulty for persons with at least some mountain walking experience, plus a good level of personal fitness. An experienced Icelandic guide assisted by a driver leads the trek. The group is expected to assist with all aspects of making and breaking camp, including meal preparation. Once in the mountains, each group becomes an independent entity. The camaraderie, teamwork and friendships forged, add much to the richness of each person’s experience. This trek passes through some areas of complete wilderness. Most of the trekking is off-track, with underfoot conditions constantly changing. Therefore, sturdy, well worn-in hiking boots are a must. Most days involve river crossings, so it is essential that all trekkers carry suitable footwear to change into. See our kit list for more information. We trek for 6-7 hours per day, on average, but this may be longer, dependant on weather conditions and group speed. Maximum altitude reached is no more than 1300m. Elevation change for most days should be no more than 600m, rising to 1000m if ascent Mount Hekla.

Itinerary & Security:  The day by day itinerary as it is indicated here is subject to slightly change depending of natural circumstances (late or early heavy snow, eruption’s threat, river inundation, storm…) The guide knows the field perfectly and is able to judge exceptional circumstances.
The guide and the driver of the assistance vehicle are connected via a VHS Radio channel. He is also connected to the huts wardens, to other colleagues working in the same area, to the civil security and the mountains rescue team.