Hiking in Fjallabak Nature Reserve in Iceland’s Highlands

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide & driver with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 4-day Fjallabak hiking adventure
    • Transportation during the tour in a minibus
    • Accommodation in Landmannahellir cottages for 3 nights
    • All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4

  Add-ons (available to add upon checkout, must be added before the tour):

  • • Sleeping bag
    • Hiking poles
    • Special dietary requirements

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to the starting point
    • Accommodations and food prior to and after the tour
    • Optional excursions and visits
    • Showers in the hut (payable on site)
    • Sleeping bag — possible to rent with your guides
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This 4-day Fjallabak hiking tour is demanding and requires good endurance. It’s ideal for hikers that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain. Fjallabak Nature Reserve is mountainous, so you can expect ascents and descents during the tour. Make sure you’re ready for 4 to 7-hour day hikes of up to 15 km (9 miles) and remember that you’ll be carrying a daypack filled with water and other things you might need throughout the day. All your other luggage will be left at the same hut where you’ll sleep for three nights.

• What do I need to bring?

  Clothing

  • • Sturdy hiking boots — waterproof with good ankle support
    • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) — wool or synthetic
    • T-shirt (thermal underwear) — wool or synthetic.
    • Light wool or fleece sweater (second layer)
    • Trousers — strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell
    • Jacket with a good hood — windproof, waterproof and breathable
    • Rain trousers — windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory in Iceland
    • Gloves
    • Socks — Wool or synthetic (two or three pairs)
    • Warm hat

  Other gear

  • • A duffel bag for your belongings
    • Backpack for extra clothes and food during the day (25 – 40L)
    • River shoes – walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks (open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job
    • Light sleeping bag — possible to rent with your guides
    • Towel — lightweight and packable
    • Sunglasses & sun protection
    • Water container — thermos flask or water bottle 0,5 – 1L
    • Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut
    • Casual clothes / change of clothes for wearing in the hut
    • Personal first aid kit (including blister care)
    • Prescription medication and other personal health items
    • Toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
    • Power bank for your devices

  Optional gear

  • • Walking poles — available to rent with your guides
    • Gaiters
    • Neoprene socks — highly recommended for river crossings
    • Pen knife
    • Earplugs
    • Sun/rain hat or a cap; shorts
    • Thermal mat (for lunch breaks)
    • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down)
    • Camera, spare batteries
    • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing
    • Slippers for indoor use
    • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this Fjallabak hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 14:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. Maximum group size is 14.
    • Accommodation is in Landmannahellir cottages. You don’t need to worry about luggage transfers as you will be able to leave all your belongings there and only take what you need throughout the day for daily hikes.

  Fjallabak hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 16, you’re good to go.
    • Minors older than 14 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 16, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the starting point of this tour in Reykjavík, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a bus, shuttle, or taxi to Reykjavík.

  You’ll meet your guide at the BSI central bus terminal in Reykjavík at 8:00 am on Day 1 of the tour. Due to a very early start, please arrive in Reykjavik at least a day prior to the first day of the adventure.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• On recent volcanic activity in Iceland

  Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

  However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

  Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

  First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.

  Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

  And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

  In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
  https://safetravel.is/
  https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

  Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

   

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.