Trek to the Gates of Hell (Northern route)

Day 1:  Reykjavik - Mount Hekla farmland

Walk 4-5 hours - approx.12 km (7,5 miles)– Altitude 150m > 200 m (500 ft. > 660 ft.)

You will meet your guide in Hella when you get off the bus from Reykjavik (See our practical information for getting from Reykjavik to Hella) and take you to our nearby warehouse. There we will prepare the midday picnic, check your equipment, then load the travel bags, food and equipment into the trailer of our support jeep. Another 40 minutes’ drive to reach the vicinity of Mount Hekla
The majestic volcano rises above a grassy plain and marks the entrance to the Southern Highlands. Probably It is Iceland’s most famous (or infamous!) and active volcano. Hike starts by late morning crossing grassland. The few little farms of the area have had to move many times over the centuries as eruptions have engulfed them. However, much of the countryside is now verdant with some former lava flows covered in green moss and arctic birch. Green moss, « bonsai » arctic birch grove along with the pure water springs, creates the feeling, perhaps, of a real Japanese garden.

Day 2:  West side of Mt. Hekla – The doors of Hell

6-8 hours – ca.22 km (14 miles) Altitude 175 m to 320 m (574 to 1050 feet)

We cross the river Western Rangá, then we hike the last series of hills made from palagonite rock (sub-glacially formed) that protects the last fragments of burned countryside. On the far side, we arrive onto a moon-like surface at the foot of Mount Hekla and cross a stretch of perfectly flat volcanic slag. The black surroundings, so dark they resemble the blue color of a crow’s feathers. Tiny, we are moving in a completely mineral world of infinite slag plain along the eastern flank of the volcano, which has been vomited most of the cast of the latest eruptions.

Day 3:  Valagjá – Mont Loðmundur

6-7 hours – ca.17 km (11 miles) Altitude 320 m to 590 m (1050 to 1940 feet)

We walk away from “the Gateway to Hell” (as Hekla was known in the middle ages) and the landscape begins to soften; the green colors of the mosses slowly covering lava fields and the pumices that rain on the land with each eruption. Crossing the “pass of the lambs” we walk in the direction of the majestic monolithic crown of Mount Loðmundur, surrounded by marshland and rich pasture, reflecting in the beautiful lake Loðmundarvatn reflecting Mount Loðmundur a flat-topped volcanic monolith that erupted through glacial ice during the Ice Age. Landmannahellir has been for ages and it is still used now by the shepherds as a base when catching thousand sheep in fall after having been grassing free the whole summer. We are in a legendary place with thousand stories to tell.

Day 4: Landmannalaugar Caldera / Hrafntinnusker

6-8 hour hike – approx. 16 km (12 miles) – Alt. 590 > 1000 m

Progress through the shimmering colours of the rhyolitic massifs on the heights of Landmannalaugar. Incredible palette of pastel colours, from blue to pink, including all possible ochres. Countless fumaroles, pools of sulphurous mud, flows of vitrified obsidian, swamps, clear lakes and immaculate ice caps follow one another as far as the eye can see. We walk along a vast flow of Hrafntinnusker obsidian, “the reefs of raven black”.

Obsidian is a black vitrified lava with sometimes blue or green reflections, which when broken is sharp as a razor blade that spreads here on the soft pastel undulations of acid rocks of the crown of the caldera of the same name. We will carefully see the countless solfataras with pools of bubbling mud, powerful and noisy jets of steam.

At the end of the afternoon, descent by jeep towards the southwest by the very beautiful track of Fjallabak South first on the volcanic expanses of the southeast of Hekla then rapid descent through the beautiful moors and meadows to our base of Hella where we arrive in the early evening

• Late return to Reykjavik, either by regular bus or with one of our vehicles.
• Or regular bus to the ferry pier for an individual extension of 3 days / 2 nights (or more) in the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago (see the program online)

5-day option:

(+24,000 Kr approx. +165 €) Possibility to stay one more night in the mountains and return in the morning of day 5. Return to Reykjavik by regular bus in the late morning (D: 11:20 > A: 12:40) or by regular bus in the afternoon to the pier of the Vestmann Islands.

Please note : If you have chosen this option, it is possible that depending on the circumstances we will be forced to cancel it. Of course, in this eventuality we will notify you well in advance so that you can organize your accommodation in Reykjavik and we will refund the price of this option.

How to get to Hella?

The village of Hella is located 100 km southeast of Reykjavik, on the ring road No.1 not fare from Mount Hekla at the entrance to the highlands.

This is where the Fjallabak base and warehouse are located during the summer period. We are located 100 m from the bus stop where your guide we will welcome you at arrival.

There are several daily bus connections (Stræto in Icelandic) between Mjódd, which is the bus station in Reykjavik, and Landeyjarhöfn, which is the pier for the Herjolfur ferry to the Westman Islands. From Mjódd line 52 serves > Hveragerði > Selfoss > Hella > Hvollsvölur > Landeyjarhöfn

Two ways to get from your hotel to the bus station

1. 1. By taxi booked the day before for 7:30 at the latest, expect to pay around 4,500-5,500 ISK per trip (approx. €30-35)
   2. By municipal bus at the latest at 7:20 from a bus stop near your hotel and of course on a line that ends in Mjodd : 650 ISK (approx. €5) for an adult aged 18 to 66  / 50% discount for seniors aged 67 and for young people aged 12 to 17 (approx. €2.5) / 100% discount for children up to 11 years old (free)

Bus schedule:

Bus 52 departure is at 8:00 am from Mjodd and arrival at 9:22 am in Hella. We recommend arriving at the bus station no later than 10 minutes before departure. The ticket is purchased from the driver on board the bus or at the ticket office at the central station, paid in cash or with your credit card.

Bus ticket price to Hella (1st November 2024)

1. 1. • 4200 ISK (approx. €30) per person for an adult aged 18 to 66
      •     50% discount for seniors aged 67 and over (approx. €15)
      •     50% discount for young people aged 12 to 17 (approx. €15)
      •   100% discount for children up to 11 years old (free)

Arriving a day earlier

Of course you can prefer to arrive (Sunday) in Hella, the day before the trek starts which is Monday, provided you have booked accommodation in this village. (Departure from Mjódd at 15:15 arrival in Hella at 16:37.
Accommodations in Hella: Hotel Stracta, Arhus Cottages, Riverside guesthouse...
We can take care of booking a room in Hella for you depending on hotel availability.

Return by bus to Reykjavik

This trek ends on a Sunday afternoon. Bus 52 leaves Hella at 21:25 and arrives at 22:47 at Mjódd, the Reykjavik bus station

By bus to the pier of the Vestmann Islands after this trek
1800 ISK (approx. 12 €) The bus leaves Hella at 19:07 and arrives at 20:03 at the pier of Landeyjarhöfn. The departure of the Herjolfur Ferry is of course synchronized with that of the bus

Information about this trek

Difficulty level:

1. 1. • 2-3 Moderate
      • Average walking per day: ca. 15-16 km (9-10 miles)
      • Total walking distance:  ca.48 km (30 miles)
      • Altitude between: 700 m and 1200 m
      • Positive gradients: ca.1200 m (ca.3900 feet)
      • Downhill gradients: ca.1000 m (ca.3280 feet)

Itinerary and security:

The day by day program can be modified or even reversed. However, these changes are rather rare for reasons of safety due to natural phenomena: volcanism, early or late snowfall, bad weather, flooding rivers, exceptionally unfavorable weather ... The guide knows the terrain well and is sole master in interpreting the whims of all-powerful nature on this volcanic earth under these high latitudes, and to make the necessary decisions. 

Composition of the group:

In general, the participants of our trips come from several countries: French speaking from Switzerland, France, Belgium and Quebec but also English speaking people from Great Britain, Ireland, United States (Democratic trending), Australians, New Zealanders or other nations who know how to express themselves in English like Scandinavians, Germans, sometimes Japanese or Russians, and even sometimes Icelanders.
Your Icelandic guide is perfectly or sufficiently fluent in English and masters very well at least one or two other European language. Traveling with Fjallabak can represent a unique opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and socialize with companions from other countries than yours that you might otherwise never have approached. A unique opportunity to make friends from all around the world and twist the neck to certain prejudices and misconceptions inked

Languages ​​spoken:

The departure dates are all marked as:

¬ International, (multinational is more accurate) this means that the guide can express himself in English and possibly in French or German or Italian, or Spanish, etc. Participants can be from all around the world if they speak English and/or French

¬ English means that the guide and the group speaks only English. That said, this guide probably speaks also other languages, which may be French (please consult). The group is made up of participants from English-speaking countries or participants from non-English speaking countries with good English skills.

¬ French, it means that the guide is French-speaking as the group that is composed solely of participants from French-speaking countries (Swiss, French, Belgian, Belgian, etc.) or non-French speakers wanting to improve their French. If you want to test your French, do not hesitate

Group size:

Group of 4 to 10 (+/- 1) participants (Note: for groups of 4-5 people, a small group supplement applies) Fjallabak staff or representatives of Fjallabak accompanying professionals (photographers , Journalists, etc.) and other discounted travelers such as children are excluded from the number of participants (minimum and maximum).

Early Birds Discount:

This discount does not apply to children who are entitled to the family discount

1. 1. • 10% "Early Bird" Discount up to 150 days before departure
      •    5% up to 90 days before departure

Family Discount:

Children accompanying their parents or grandparents are entitled to the following discount

1. 1. • -10% for young people aged 12 to 17
      • -20% for children up to 11 years old

Small group surcharge and modified organization:

1. 1. • ISK 60.000/pp (ca. + € 400) for 5 participants
      • ISK 75.000/pp  (ca.+ € 500) for 4 participants

In the exceptional case of poor registrations on a departure and you are only 4 or 5 participants registered, in order not to cancel everything you will leave with only one member of our team as guide-driver. You will sleep in the shelters that are planned in the itinerary, but each day there will be a trip by jeep to then make large loops on foot in the most beautiful places

Accommodation:

Sleeping bag (your own) in mountain refuges and huts: Bunks with comfortable mattresses. Running water and kitchen in the shelter, but the toilets and sinks are usually outside, a few yards in a small building apart. Warm hot showers with charge are available in some huts. If you want more privacy during the night while we sleep, we offer you the possibility of sleeping in tents that we provide, please notify us in advance. On the treks where camping nights are planned, the camps are made up of double tents (or single on request) with a comfortable and insulated mattress and a large equipped mess tent.Electricity: take enough batteries for your camera because you will not often be able to recharge batteries in the huts. Also take a normal charger (220v for European standard outlets) as there are some shelter that have electricity.

Food:

We pride ourselves for providing the best cuisine in the highlands! Breakfast is Scandinavian style, with muesli, breads, jams, smoked fish, charcuterie and cheese. The picnics can be a bit repetitive after a week (we are in Iceland), with a variety of sandwiches, smoked meats and fish, excellent local cheeses, green salad, tomatoes and cucumbers. Dinners, varied and often excellent, include fish and lamb dishes, served with pasta, rice or potatoes, vegetables and a green salad.
However, vegans will have to supplement their luggage even though we can accommodate their needs.
For conviviality, but without obligation, you can bring with you a specialty of your country as well as a good bottle of alcohol.
Accommodation during the trek: Sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts and huts (usually a comfortable and mixed lodging) and according to the itinerary and the conditions, at the peak of the season a few nights might be spent in spacious double tents equipped with comfortable mattresses. Showers are available in some huts, not all.

Food, special diets:

It is essential that vegetarians specify what is banned from their menu, such as those suffering from food allergies (lactose, gluten, etc.). It is important that you advise us of your special food requirements at the time of booking. If the list is long or there is danger with certain allergies, please send us the details by mail to these two addresses <matta@fjallabak.is>  so that the team in charge of our warehouse/storage can take this into account in the preparation of food. Your guide will be aware of your plan, but it does not necessarily mean that he is a specialist in that matter, so it's up to you to tell him about it at the beginning of the journey when preparing the first meal! It is also up to you to control at each meal what suits you.

Each day a 4x4 vehicle carries the luggage and the food from hut to hut. We do not see this vehicle during the day, because it takes tracks that we rarely encounter. Someone feeling tired one day can make the trip with the driver (often a friendly guide of our team) which will make him discover another aspect of the highlands.  Our carbon impact is lower because the kilometric average of the vehicle does not exceed 30km / day.

Preparation of the trip and notes:

This is an assisted hut to hut trekking. At the peak of the season, we might camp for a night or two. The level of walking is moderate to sustained. You only carry a light bag containing what you need for the day. This trek does not present any serious difficulty for people in good physical shape having at least some experience of long walks in the mountains. An experienced guide leads the trek. This trek passes through totally desert areas. Most of the walking is off-trail, with ever-changing terrain conditions. Therefore, sturdy hiking shoes that fit well your feet are a must. Most days involve river crossing, so it is essential not to forget your sandals. See our kits list for more information. You hike 6-7 hours per day, on average, but it can be longer, depending on the weather, the average level of the group. The maximum altitude does not rise more than 1000m. The change of altitude for most days does not exceed 300 m.

Participation:

An experienced Icelandic guide leads the trek. As we are not in Nepal but in Iceland, it is expected that the members of the group lend a helping hand to their guide in the preparation of meals, washing the dishes, cleaning the floors before leaving the huts, setting up and taking down the tents when camping. Once in the mountains, the group becomes an independent entity. Fellowship, teamwork and forged friendships add much to the richness of each person's experience.

Recommended Travel Gear for Trekking

You’ll need to bring comfortable and adequate clothing to protect you from cold and wet weather, such as polypropylene, capilene, or pile. Wool and wool/synthetic blends are also suitable - though wool, if wet, dries slowly compared to synthetic fabrics. We discourage the use of cotton in wet conditions it dries very slowly. When camping, tents are provided. You will be responsible for bringing your mattress and sleeping bag.

When layering, the innermost layer should be long underwear. The middle layer can be a synthetic turtleneck or wool shirt, and pants. The outermost layer must be a breathable waterproof jacket such as a good quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka and over-pants.
For quantities for each item listed, use your own judgement, based on the expected weather conditions and overall packing/weight restrictions for your luggage.

Given the marked climatic instability of the northern regions, we recommend that you reasonably comply with this list of equipment for your comfort and safety.

The list below is very complete (certainly too complete) and you can interpret it reasonably according to what you already have as clothing and equipment at home

Luggage:

• Large waterproof and solid travel bag (60 - 75 liters) - 1 bag per person and not 1 huge bag for two people (the weight of this bag should, if possible, not exceed 18 kg)
• Hiking day-pack (minimum 40 litres) Light, streamlined, and allows convenient access to the essentials. Rain cover preferably brightly colored
• An extra empty light bag if you want to keep some of your belongings at your hotel in Reykjavik or at the Fjallabak office and warehouse

For your feet:

• Hiking boots, medium-weight, with padded ankle, good arch support, and a lug sole traction. Your hiking boots should be waterproof, well broken in, and suitable for all terrain or possibly snow, having a size that can accommodate thick hiking socks
• Hiking and water sandals for river crossing (Teva-Keen) which can also be used as a spare for walking or as shoes for the refuge. Cheap plastic beach sandals that strap to the foot may be sufficient for crossing streams.
• Slippers, flip-flops or your sandals to wear in the huts

For your nights

• Sleeping bag (+10°C to -10°C / 50°F to 14°F) sarcophagus or rectangular which can be opened lengthwise to be used as a duvet. Natural down is of course the most pleasant
• Bed coton sheet with or without elastic (200 X 120 cm) allowing you not to sleep directly on the mattress of the refuge.
• Inflatable travel pillow (optional)
• Eye shades. Highly recommended in june - july!

(Possibility to rent a sleeping bag in Iceland by paying on site to your guide provided you let us know several days in advance. (8000 kr, approx. €50 or $50, whatever the duration of the trek)

Clothing

• Rain/wind parka (Gore-Tex)
• Rain/wind pants (Gore-Tex)
• Medium-weight synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
• Full-length pants, quick-drying synthetic fabric
• Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry
• Long-sleeved, synthetic or wool shirt
• Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton/synthetic T-shirts and underwear
• Natural wool sweater for the huts
• Down jacket from mid-August to September (optional)
• Hiking shorts, quick-drying synthetic fabric
• Sun & rain hat
• Wool hat
• Gloves (wool or pile)
• Waterproofed shell gloves
• Several pairs of hiking socks in synthetic and/or natural wool

Travel Accessories

• Sturdy telescopic walking poles
• Unbreakable thermos – 0,5 liter capacity (We can provide it to you on site)
• Hiking water bottle – 0,5 liter
• Hermetic sandwich box -  for 2 flat sandwiches (We can provide it to you on site)
• Hiking mug (We can provide it to you on site)
• Pocket knife (Must be kept in duffle bag, not in hand luggage, before flying !)
• Gaiters
• Swimsuit and quick dry camping towel
• Small hermetic bag with zipper for your wallet and passport
• Small hermetic bag with zipper for your mobile phone
• Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries (from August only)
• Toiletry kit—soap, toothbrush, and so on.
• Sunscreen and lip protection (The sun in Iceland is much more intense than you probably imagine)
• Personal first aid kit
• Moisturizing lotion. (The air in Iceland is very dry)
• Sunglasses
• Eye shades. Highly recommended in June and July!
• Spare pair of prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses (but not only lenses, as wind-blown dust can make them very uncomfortable)
• Netting hood

Camera, tablet, mobile phone:

• Tripod and cable release for camera for long northern lights breaks from mid-August
• Spare batteries and/or accumulators for cameras or electrical devices
• Additional memory cards
• 220 V charger for standard European standard socket
• Cable with USB termination adaptable to a 220V European standard male electrical outlet
• USA UK adapter to European standard outlet

Optional Travel Accessories

• Binoculars
• Repair kit with needle, thread, and safety pins
• Reading and writing material
• Your favorite snack food such as raisins or chocolate
• Protein supplements for vegetarian

Pour la convivialité

This is a suggestion, not an obligation.

• 1 or 2 good bottles of good wine or a flask of booze to offer to your companions in the evening for our aperitifs and fraternal dinners far from everything.
• If you don't want to carry a bottle in your luggage from home, you should know that the duty-free area at Keflavik Airport is open to arriving travelers.
• You may also have the opportunity to ask the driver of the assistance jeep to do some shopping for you if he has to make a quick return trip to the coast. He can bring back for you a bottle of wine, a pack of beer, basic pharmaceutical products, gloves or a woolen hat, a birthday cake...

This is an interactive map. Click on the icons and the trail to get more information and photos.