Fjallabak

Through unknown territories with an highly professional guide who knows the secret paths to adventure

FJALLABAK is a fully licensed travel agency by the Icelandic government and member of SAF, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association.

Matthildur Filippusdottir Patay is the chief executive of Fjallabak. She has taken over the flag to carry on the family business that she has a lot of passion for. Fjallabak is a dynamic family business that has been organizing treks and ski expeditions in Iceland since the early 70’s.

The name of the company, means “Behind the Mountains” in English. It is the name of a famous trail, which snakes its way through the desert landscape of the volcanic highlands between Mt. Hekla and the icecaps along the south coast. This vast and incredible territory remains mostly “unexplored” by classical tourism. The access is not very easy because nature there remains a powerful actor.

We specialize in high-quality supported trekking, backpacking, walking and discoveries for small groups. We organise ski trips and slow travel adventures, such as birdwatching, whale watching or geology tours… We are used to organizing trips for private groups and "A la carte" such as self-drive and self guided tours. Occasionally, we work with film shootings and incentive events.

As we have been in the field for nearly 30 years, we know what outdoor experience and hiking Iceland’s mountains and fjords means. We are committed to operate the highest standard possible in the “industry” of outdoor touring in Iceland, your safety and your pleasure is our highest priority.

Iceland has become a victim of its own success. Tourists have replaced travelers around the country. Fortunately 80% of the country, mainly the highlands, remains difficult to access and without infrastructure, or so little.

By nature, here at Fjallabak, we are a bit allergic to mass tourism. We love our job, the adventure and the experience it represents.
We do not receive more than 400-500 travelers per year. We do not intend to grow continuously. Despite our idealism, we have survived the crises of the last decades and have been on course for now 40 years.
In other words, we are very small company with a lot of soul. Far from the crowds, we live our adventures as we know the secret passages through the mysterious mountains of Iceland that lead us into an untouched world where dream and reality together are one.

We look forward to seeing you on Fjallabak’s trails.

Matthildur Filippusdóttir Patay (AKA Matta)

Iceland trips selection

Look below for a short selection of our newest trips.

Photo trips

Highlands photography 2023

Highlands photography 2023 10 days trip (12 days from home) in a small group of 6 to 10 participants, accompanied by a professional photographer, and driven by Icelandic driver-guide This adventure in the heart of the Southern Highlands a series of 4wd overland discovery and…
See trip details, dates and booking

Highlands 4wd Discoveries

Highlands photography 2023

Highlands photography 2023 10 days trip (12 days from home) in a small group of 6 to 10 participants, accompanied by a professional photographer, and driven by Icelandic driver-guide This adventure in the heart of the Southern Highlands a series of 4wd overland discovery and…
See trip details, dates and booking

Trekking – 7 to 9 days

Hrafntinnusker caldeira

Trek Black Raven Reefs

Across the volcanic ridge from west to east A great 9 day hut to hut trek in the Icelandic highlands With the exception of a lightweight day pack, all equipment and luggage are transported by a 4x4 support vehicle. The complete route takes us to…
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Trekking – 3 to 6 days

iceland mountain fjallabak

Trek to the Gates of Hell ( South Itinerary )

Beautiful hut to hut assisted 4 day trekking along the East and south flank of Mount Hekla, one of Iceland's best known volcano and through the caldera of Hrafntinnusker in the Fjallabak Natural Reserve. This concentrated itinerary is part of our collection of trips that speak to…
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What they say about us

  • star rating  Mon premier séjour en Islande remonte à 2004, avec Philippe Patay.
    
Depuis, je suis revenue sur cette île plusieurs fois, par moi-même ou avec Fjallabak. 
Pour marcher, pour contempler,... read more

    SKislande
    18 July 2019

    star rating  Très bon parcours photo en Islande avec une équipe compétente et sympathique autour des refuges de Dalakofi et de Strutur. Philippe Pathé et son équipe se sont dépensés sans... read more

    chicabou
    19 September 2018
  • star rating  Fabulous, walking a mountain trail in a small group with an excellent and humorous guide, talking English and French simultaneously. Emma really took care, from French-style cooking to correctly applying... read more

    Herfried W
    16 August 2019

    star rating  Haven't regret the decision to join the trek with Fjallabak (trek at the doors of Hell South) for a single time. Everything was well organized, the guide and Philippe took... read more

    Jurri
    1 July 2021
  • star rating  We had the pleasure of doing a 4 day guided 4 wheel drive and hiking trip with Fjallabak and Philippe, the founder of the company, as our guide. We loved... read more

    GailLouise
    18 September 2019

    star rating  Completely off-track trekking, the only paths we crossed were those of the sheeps.
    Explanations in French and English, multinational hikers which makes it a nice experience

    Chris B
    21 August 2019
  • star rating  We were a small (private) group with big expectations and Fjallabak delivered, and then some ... the result exceeded our expectations. The organisation, the landscapes, the length of each... read more

    James
    1 August 2021

    star rating  We did a 4 day trek with Fjallabak with our family (adult children) and totally loved it. It was really interesting to see Iceland this way and get out in... read more

    Susiemm2173
    30 August 2018
  • star rating  Le chemin des elfes: parcours avec paysages magnifiques, très riches et diversifiés, cela va des champs pleins de fleurs à la rocaille des sommets, à chaque fjord son paysage et... read more

    Fbe2189
    21 July 2019

    star rating  9 jours de trekking dans les montagnes de Fjallabak à 3 familles avec ados. On a adoré les randonnées proposées (très diversifiées et représentatives de l'Islande), l'équipe très sympa, la... read more

    Jocelyne M
    16 August 2018
  • star rating  For those looking to avoid the crowds and get off the beaten path, this is a great trip. This is a local Icelandic company, and they are quite knowledgeable.... read more

    brubin2018
    22 August 2018

    star rating  We had a wonderful trek near Mount Hekla. Our guide was fantastic, as was the food. The overall organization is closely tied to the land and has extensive expertise. Not... read more

    Jen T
    19 August 2019
  • star rating  Nous avons fait huit jours de trek hors sentiers battus (et la plupart du temps hors sentiers) dans des contrées lunaires inouïes. Mais ce qui a fait la réussite de... read more

    714rona
    28 July 2019

    star rating  Our group of 8 (4 old guys, two couples) had a wonderful 7 day trek, generally east-west, mostly off trails, in all kinds of weather. The arrangements were thorough and... read more

    KPatt0n
    30 August 2018
  • star rating  Que dire des services de cette sympathique agence ? Tout simplement extra ! Sur la base de l'itinéraire que nous souhaitions effectuer, Matta nous a concocté une série d'hébergements (guest... read more

    Carole B
    14 September 2018

    star rating  La réserve naturelle de Fjallabak est magnifique et notre trek hors des sentiers battus a dépassé toutes nos attentes. L'itinéraire concocté par Fjallabak Trekking n'a fait que croiser l'"autoroute" du... read more

    fcibot
    21 August 2018
  • star rating  Completely off track trekking
    Hard sometimes with the weather
    Adventure company
    Good service
    Only bad point is the level of the members can be too different and it... read more

    Swissitude2014
    21 August 2019

    star rating  Que dire des services de cette sympathique agence ? Tout simplement extra ! Sur la base de l'itinéraire que nous souhaitions effectuer, Matta nous a concocté une série d'hébergements (guest... read more

    Carole B
    14 September 2018
  • star rating  Me and my in law family booked this very special trip to an area which is usually very secluded and not seen by too many tourists.
    On our 5... read more

    Anja S
    5 September 2018

    star rating  Our four-day trek with Fjallabak Trekking was wonderful along many dimensions. It will long remain a highlight of our family lore. It was amazing to be essentially alone... read more

    Michael J
    20 August 2018