Iceland Volcanoes

Overview

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Ascents of four volcanoes including Hvannadalshnúkur, the country's highest

Introduction

Our programme in Iceland aims to climb a number of glaciated volcanoes, including Hekla (1,490m), Eyjafjallajökull (1,651m), Kristinartindar (1,126m) and Hvannadalshnúkur (2,110m) – the country’s highest.

We visit in early-mid June, when the weather is more stable and you will benefit from 24-hour daylight. Don’t be deceived by their low altitude – Hvannadalshnúkur is a long and physically demanding ascent, which typically take 14–16 hours to cover the 30km round trip.

Between each peak you will stay in comfortable guest houses, meaning there is no camping on this trip. The accommodation is of a high standard and evening meals are 3-courses, cooked by chefs, as opposed to simple meals made by the mountain guides. At the end of the expedition, the team will enjoy a night in Reykjavik.

Experience Required

If you are fit and used to regular big days in the hills you could join the Iceland Volcanoes trip. Previous ice axe and crampon experience, gained on an Introductory Long Weekend in Scotland, or similar, is recommended, but not essential.

Our Introductory Long Weekend course in Scotland provides good preparation for this expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Iceland on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

The following items are included in the price payable to Jagged Globe:

• Economy class return airfares from the UK to Keflavik (unless Land Only).
• UK airport taxes.
• 1 nights’ guest house accommodation in Reykjavik, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 7 nights’ guest house accommodation, on a full board basis.
• All airport transfers (if booking the ‘With Flights’ package) and road travel in private vehicles.
• All costs for expedition leader.
• All group equipment.
• Jagged Globe kit bag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

Not including in the cost are the following:

• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Visa fees (if applicable).
• 1 x lunch and evening meal in Reykjavik.
• Airport transfers (if joining on a ‘Land Only’ basis)
• Optional trips.
• Excess baggage costs.
• Travel insurance.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Tips.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Iceland Overnight guest house.
Day 2:	Ascent of Hekla volcano (1,490m) This is a volcano that Icelanders believed for a long time to be the gateway to hell. It´s a stratovolcano, that looks like an overturned boat and provides great views in all directions. It´s an easy mountain hike of around 16km, taking five to six hours.
Day 3:	Ascent of Eyjafjallajökull (1,650m) Eyjafjallajökull (1,650m) is a glacier-covered caldera that has erupted frequently since the last ice age, with the most recent eruption in 2010 affecting flights all over Europe. The hike starts at around 50m elevation and is about a 17km round trip. It´s not a technical route, even though harnesses, ropes and crampons are essential safety. The difficulty of this trek is the 1,600m elevation gain.
Day 4:	Travel to Skaftafell National Park and practice glacier skills
Day 5:	Ascent of Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110m) This is the most challenging day of the trip, the ascent of Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110m), Iceland’s highest mountain. The day normally starts at 5a.m. and takes 12 - 14 hours. The hike is a 24km round trip with an elevation gain of almost 2,100m.
Day 6:	Rest day
Day 7:	Ascent of Kristínartíndar (1,126m) The last mountain on this trip is Kristínartíndar (1,126m). The day starts from the information centre in Skaftafell National Park and takes 7 - 9 hours.
Day 8:	Return to Reykjavik
Day 9:	Fly home.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline only. This is exploratory mountaineering in a remote and complex area, where flexibility and an easy-going nature will be an asset.

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Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “Iceland remains a nearby destination that has "other worldly" terrain.” JH, Iceland Volcanoes - June '16