Thanks to Kriss Saunders from Arc Adventures for yet another fabulous mini guest blog. This is a series of “best walks in the world”
Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk, Iceland
Length: 55km
Days: Four
Difficulty: Moderate, though very weather dependent.
Guide: Recommended but not essential
Iceland’s most iconic walk is a rainbow-coloured romp through some of the country’s best bits. Peaks come in reds, yellows, greens and purples; blinding-white glaciers creak, hot springs burble, lakes and rivers glitter.
Along this walk there are so many highlights and here are just five of them:
1- Landmannalaugar: With many geothermal areas amongst its yellow, rhyolite mountains, the landscapes are truly awe-inspiring in every direction you look.
2- Jökultungur: this geothermal area is known for its seething mud pools and steaming vents and the beautiful view over Álftavatn, also known as Swan Lake where you will see magnificent glaciers.
3- Black Sand Deserts: positioned between two volcanoes, the cone-shaped Stórasúla and the ancient Hattfell, this haunting stretch of black desert takes you to another world as you traverse across it.
4- Emstrur: this part of the hike brings you within 100 metres of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. As you travel, the vegetation will get denser and denser, indicating you are approaching the famed region of Þórsmörk valley
5- Þórsmörk: The valley is in the shadow of three great glaciers and is thick with birch forests and wildflowers. The only interruptions are numerous streams and hiking trails which you will find yourself venturing on!
The trekking season is short (mid-June to early September), so the trail can get busy, but the wonderful weirdness of Iceland’s geothermal geography is more than compensation.
Kriss Saunders
ARC Adventures