Backpacking Iceland's Volcanic Trails - Alumni

Join a small group of NOLS grads, friends, and instructors for some challenging and spectacular hiking in Iceland as we traverse between huts. The route travels through a region known as the Volcanic Trails. We picked the route to avoid the increasing crowds on Iceland's most popular route and get NOLSies a bit further afield! Some highlights include the dramatically colored mountains, a backcountry hot soak, comfortable cabins, and side hiking opportunities.

We will meet in Reykjavik, and then travel via private transport to the start of the trail near Langisójr Lake is southcentral Iceland and have a short summit hike before arriving at our first hut. We’ll spend the next several days traveling and exploring the Icelandic wilderness. Unlike standard NOLS expeditions, we will rely on our support vehicle to do the heavy lifting for us leaving out packs trim and light. We will carry our trail food for the day, layers, rain gear, and water while we hike over mountain passes, and across rivers. Our support vehicle will carry all of our expedition food and gear. NOLS Instructors will organize meals but will rely on you to help with preperation and cleanup in the well-annointed hut kitchens.

The route offers a moderate level of hiking, with trails that can be tricky and distances that will challenge most folks. There aren't dramatic elevation changes along the trail  so we are able to cover a bit more miles each day. Each travel day, we will cover between 10-14 miles to our next hut. Connecting our string of huts gives us the chance to explore the spectacular Icelandic country-side while mixing with other travelers in a dorm-style setting.

Activity rating*:

*Staying in huts means cultural interaction, bunks, team meals and lightened packs but the weather in Iceland can occasionaly add a special challenge.