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The Old Charcoal Trail: Backpacking in Southern Highlands, Iceland
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Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options. Booking fees are non-refundable after 48hours in all cases.
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When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
The Old Charcoal Trail: Backpacking in Southern Highlands, Iceland
Itinerary
The Old Charcoal Trail: Backpacking in Southern Highlands, Iceland
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1 Person
  • The Old Charcoal Trail: Backpacking in Southern Highlands, Iceland - 1
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Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available

  • A five-day backpacking adventure through the remote highlands south of Vatnajökull glacier, following a historic route once walked by Icelandic farmers. Your guides take care of equipment, food, and logistics—all you need to do is show up and hike. Small groups, big wilderness, and a landscape that's genuinely hard to reach any other way.

    • We meet at 8 am at the N1 service station in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, collect supplies, and sort shared gear before a short 30-minute transfer to the trailhead. The day’s route follows the glacial Djúpá river, which winds through thick layers of lava laid down by past eruptions. Early on, we encounter the first waterfall on the Djúpá, pass picturesque side streams and a small lake, and trace the opening of Hrafná canyon. We continue to Lambá canyon, where we set up camp for the night. If the weather plays along, there’s an optional afternoon walk into Lambárgljúfur canyon.

      Meals: Lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi)
      Elevation: +150 m (+492 ft)
      Accommodation: Camping (tents)

      waterfall charcoal trail

    • Continuing alongside the Djúpá, we reach the impressive Bassi waterfall before the route steepens—climbing slopes and following a long stretch of rapids. From up here, the views open up to Vatnajökull and its outlet glacier, Síðujökull. We pass through the hills of Gæsabringur—an area frequented by pink-footed geese, and a stunning place in autumn—before descending to the gorge of Langagil, where camp is set up for the night.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi)
      Elevation: +300 m (+984 ft)
      Accommodation: Camping (tents)

      two hikers charcoal trail

    • Leaving Langagil, we ascend the broad gravel ridge of Langasker, where sweeping views of Vatnajökull and landmarks like Hágöngur mountain make for a dramatic walk. The route continues to the striking red crater Eldgígur, then to the glacier’s edge for a crossing of a small glacial river. Entering a black lava field, we descend to a camp beside a crystal-clear spring river—where a natural hot spring sits at a perfect 38°C, ready for a well-earned soak.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 14 km (8.7 mi)
      Elevation: +300 m (+984 ft) / -200 m (-656 ft)
      Accommodation: Camping (tents)

      charcoal trail hikers iceland

    • We cross the Vestari Bergvatnsá river and head down Bone Valley along the river’s southern bank, a route dotted with waterfalls and side gullies. A historic lava flow fills sections of the riverbed—a striking stretch to walk through. Arriving at the flat area of Hvassvellir, we descend into Núpsstaðarskógur, one of Iceland’s most extensive birch forests and the very place where farmers once produced the charcoal that gave this trail its name. Camp is set amid the valley’s lush vegetation.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi)
      Elevation: +200 m (+656 ft) / -400 m (-1,312 ft)
      Accommodation: Camping (tents)

      backpacking charcoal trail

    • On the final day, we leave the birch forest behind and ascend through the Hvítá river canyon, passing several waterfalls and river crossings. The route climbs to the shoulder of Hvirfildalur valley, then descends along the flank of Lómagnúpur—the rhyolite giant known for its sheer vertical cliffs. At the mountain’s end, we reach the main road, where a vehicle waits to bring everyone back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch
      Hiking: 16 km (9.9 mi)
      Elevation: +200 m (+656 ft) / -400 m (-1,312 ft)

      iceland charcoal trail hike

    • Included:

        • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 5-day Old Charcoal Trail backpacking tour (5 days of hiking)
        • All camping equipment for 4 nights (tents, cooking equipment)
        • All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5
        • All necessary permits and fees
        • Transfer to and from the trailhead

      Add-ons:

        • Sleeping bag rental — rental available, leave a note at checkout if interested

      Not included:

        • Transportation to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland
        • Sleeping bag
        • Personal gear & clothing
        • Alcoholic beverages
        • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
        • Insurance—recommended, available to add at checkout
        • Guide gratuities—optional

    • To join this Old Charcoal Trail backpacking tour, excellent fitness is required. You’ll be hiking for 5 days in a row, covering up to 16 km (9.9 mi) per day, walking 6–8 hours daily through remote and often rough terrain. There are no roads, no huts, and no easy exits once the route begins—this is genuine backcountry. Previous multi-day hiking or backpacking experience is strongly recommended.

      Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland hiking tours here!

    • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

        • Backpack large enough to carry all your belongings
        • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
        • Hiking poles — optional
        • Sleeping bag — can be rented
        • Comfortable hiking clothes
        • Trekking boots and trousers
        • Fleece shirt
        • Warm and waterproof jacket 
        • Rain gear
        • Spare clothes for layering
        • Functional underwear
        • Hat
        • Gloves
        • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
        • Headlamp or flashlight
        • Sunglasses
        • Camera — optional (but recommended)

      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.

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • For this Old Charcoal Trail hike, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12:1. 
        • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

      Old Charcoal Trail hikes 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 younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Old Charcoal Trail hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

      If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • The starting point of this Old Charcoal Trail tour is Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small town in South Iceland. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and then travel by bus or rental car along the Ring Road (Route 1)—Kirkjubæjarklaustur is roughly a 3.5-hour drive east of Reykjavík.

      It’s recommended to arrive at least one day before the tour starts. Accommodation the night prior is at your own arrangement.

      You will meet your guide at 8 am on Day 1 at the N1 service station in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. A short transfer of approximately 30 minutes takes the group to the starting point of the hike.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

      Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.

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