The Volcano Ski Touring Challenge
Tour Operator: ICELANDIA
The breathtaking variety of Icelandic mountain scenery makes this one of the most unique tours we have on offer at Icelandic Mountain Guides. On our itinerary we have three differently stunning peaks, all of which are both glaciers and active volcanoes.
With each peak, our skiing objectives get more challenging, as well as more rewarding. We start with a warm up on the local delight Hengill. Following this, our next challenge is the world-famous Eyjafjallajökull Glacier, known for its travel disrupting eruption in 2010.
In Skaftafell National Park, right under the great Vatnajökull glacier, is the home of Hvannadalshnúkur (2110 m / 6921 ft) Iceland’s highest summit and our ultimate goal!
The skiing is mixed in with a healthy dose of sightseeing – so that our guest will not only tick of skiing in Iceland but also see some of the highlights of our little island.
Our objective for today is local delight Hengill – our day stars at 09:00 with a pickup at your accommodation. We are heading for the geological theme-park of Hengill that opens to local ski-tourers in the late season. The mountains offers a nice warm up for us with a relatively short accent that at the same time is incredibly varied and fun. The mountain offers amazing views over the SW part of our little island (road closures and snow conditions may dictate some other local objective on this first day). The drive to our accommodation at Flúðir takes us through the Þingvellir national part and we will stop at the Geysir geothermal area for some geology in action. In Flúðir – dinner and hut-tub!
Day 2 will be our second challenge; the climb of the famous Eyjafjallajökull which erupted in 2010 and caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe for several days. It is a 1,651m high stratovolcano with a magnificent view from the top. The vertical ascent is around 1,600 m and the tour takes from 8-10 hours.
Overnight at hotel Skógafoss.
We explore the beautiful South Coast today including many highlights like the black beach of Reynisfjara, the picturesque village Vík, the Skaftafell National Park, the glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón and diamond beach.
Dinner and accommodation at the foot of our biggest challenge.
We can expect a long day today, as we make the ascent of Hvannadalshnúkur (2110 m/6922 ft). Iceland’s highest peak. This will be the most difficult day of the trip with 2000m ascension that can take from 10-12 hours. The peak is in the north-western rim of the Öræfajökull volcano and promises an unforgettable ascent with breathtaking panoramic views. The ascent will be rewarded with a 2000m slope. Dinner and second night at the foot of Hvannadalshnúkur.
In case snow/weather conditions are not good on Hvannadalshnúkur we will have to change the itinerary to another similar summit in the area.
We make our way back westward along the scenic south coast of Iceland, passing beneath Eyjafjallajökull and stopping to visit the impressive Skógafoss waterfall. We return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.