Hiking in Fjallabak Nature Reserve in Iceland’s Highlands

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • 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
    • 11% VAT

  Vegan and vegetarian diets can be accommodated. If you require a special diet, let us know upon booking.

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to the starting point
    • Accommodations and food prior to and after the tour
    • Optional excursions and visits
    • 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.

  Looking for other hikes in Iceland? Check out this Laugavegur tour, Iceland’s ancient trails or the hidden trails of Iceland.

• 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.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
    • 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 18, 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 18, 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 in Iceland

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s foreign travel advice.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, 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

  Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
    • Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  For set dates, a 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.

  In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry, your guide is obliged to charge cancellation fees to passenger(s) as follows:

  • • 70% of the price of the trip is refundable more than 59 days prior to departure
    • 50% of tour price is refunded if canceled 30-59 days prior to departure
    • 25% of tour price is refunded if canceled 16-29 days prior to departure
    • 0% of tour price is refunded if canceled less than 16 days prior to departure

  All rates are based on current purchasing prices in Iceland. Your guides reserve the right to change prices without notice due to inflation, changes in oil prices, government taxes, or any other cost increases that are outside the guide’s control. Your guides will absorb an amount equivalent to 5% of the price. Amounts that exceed the 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%. Eventual changes in rates will not be made with less than 4 weeks’ notice before departures or on bookings already made and confirmed.

  Your guides reserve the right to alter tours and itineraries due to weather or road conditions. All programs can be changed or canceled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of the clients and staff. No responsibility is accepted for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights, or other services or because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules, or other similar causes.