Iceland "Fire and Ice" Hiker

Hike amid Glaciated Peaks, Geothermal Valleys and Black Sand Beaches

Iceland is not only closer than you think, but far different than you ever imagined. Where else can you witness such marvels of Mother Nature as a tremendous icecap and several glaciers, spouting geysers, volcanoes (hopefully dormant), raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, a multitude of birds, cavorting whales just offshore and many other surprises?

Day 1 Pingvellir National Park. Begin with an exploration of Pingvellir's natural amphitheatre, which was formed by the splitting of the European and American Tectonic Plates. After a wholesome Icelandic lunch we head for the Gulfoss, the Golden Waterfall, and come within an armslength of its mighty flow. Witness this land of boiling waters as we hike near mud pots, waterspouts and "geysirs".

Day 2 Thorsmork--Land of the Thunder God. We marvel today at the mythical landscape of the Thorsmork Valley, imagining the fairies and dwarfs of Icelandic legend. We easily conquer a mountaintop or two.

Days 3-4 Skaftafell National Park. Vatnajokull, the largest icecap in the world outside of the polar regions, formed this playground of rugged peaks, torrential waterfalls, and black sand beaches covered with puffins. Another destination is Svarifoss, a glacial waterfall pouring over basalt columns. The next day brings a hike along the Skaftafell Glacier toward the Kristinanrtindar Peaks.

Day 5 Fjadrarglujufur Canyon-Eldgja Fire Gorge. Short hikes today take us through a canyon and to the picturesque Ofaerufoss waterfall. The Fjallabaskleid Trail leads us to a vocanic crater lake and on to our mountain hut for the next two nights.

Day 6 Landmannalaugar. Today we trek through this colorful rhyolite landscape and afterward take a dip in the area's famous natural geothermal pool.

Day 7 Mount Hekla. Mt. Hekla, a sleeping volcanic giant that last erupted in 2000, is our final destination. Still steaming, the power that lies below is ever apparent. Feast your eyes from Hekla's summit on the areas that we covered during our week of activities.