There are 1:250000 maps and software available from Ferdakort. In Reykjavik, there is a store called Iðnú where I picked up more detailed maps (1:50000), but they were out-dated and resulted in some frustration (large variable in the lava symbol; some water sources not existing; changes to roads). 1:100000 seems to be the preferred scale, but I was unable to find any. Also, if you use a GPS device, there is a good map at ourfootprints(dot)de
I arrived at Myvatn in late June (I think around the 22nd). I found the midges the most aggravating about 30-40 miles after Myvatn. They come and go as you get close to water, but there's a good day and half where they seem endless. Definitely bring your head net.
There's a nice bus system along the road that goes along the perimeter of the island. I caught it from Vik back to Reykjavik. The food was a variety of meal bars, granola, dried fruit, dark chocolate, chips (pringles), and freeze dried meals.
Hey Mark, I used a 60L dry bag and was able to manage a 9 day stretch without resupply. Your space requirements depend on your gear and food choices, but 70L seems to be in the correct range. The only river fords that I considered dangerous were Sveðjá and one a few miles after it. I never walked along F26, but my back up plan if Sveðjá was too strong was to cross back to the other side of the valley and meet F26 and follow it all the way to Landmannalauger. I purified my water about half of the time. There are quite a few sheep, so I'd recommend it. Aquamira drops are a low weight penalty.
Check out Jonathan Ley's website. It has almost all of the info necessary for the trip. The route includes established trails from Asbyrgi to Dettifoss and then the Laugavegur (and whatever the remaining trail to Skogar is called). It is a mix of cross country and following "roads" which are largely trail markers. You can cut some of these out, but you can run into impassable lava flows and have to back track. Andrew Skurka's website also has useful info regarding hiking in Iceland.
Great Video! I went to Iceland last year and it was amazing, you have captured its beauty very well:) Also i would love to do a hike like this at sometime in my life, looks really interesting and fun!
Do it! Special advice... if arriving at Myvatn from the North, try to time it so that you arrive in the early morning (4am). The change in the land from the Krafla lava fields to the lake was amazing to experience with that lighting. I also recommend taking a GPS with the Iceland map found at ourfootprints(dot)de. It had more updated data than the printed maps I purchased. Make sure you have paper maps, though. Look at Jonathan Ley's website, the information is very well structured.
Food is definitely expensive, but I generally feel happy contributing some tourist money to their economy. Only time I was able to eat fresh food was in Reykjahlíð and Vík. I really enjoyed Gamli Bærinn in Reykjahlíð (good stews, free coffee refills, and shameless plug use to recharge batteries) and some restaurant attached to the visitor center in Vík (I won't forget that lamb sandwich).
I was very pleased with it. I wore a small hole into one of the hip belt pockets and they gave me a replacement hip belt for free. I appreciated the scalability of it for this trip due to the variety of food loads.
Hello Russell, my friends and I are planning on doing a hike across Iceland this summer. I was wondering if you could tell me what were some challenges that you faced on your trip and what are somethings you could have done differently, in terms of packing, food, routes you took, etc.?
Hey man great video! I have wanted to trek trough Iceland for a while now and this video is really encouraging. Any special advice for someone that is planning to make this trip on their own?
Beautiful video. Thank you very much for the map and information. I was wondering, after you get to the bridge at Skjalfandafjot, why do you continue the way you do, rather than take F910 around Tungnafellskoekull, and then take F26? It seems easier in terms of river crossing and navigation. Thank you!
Hey, Short answer: Jonathan Ley who knows better than me and chose this way + close proximity to glacier = better experience. Your alternate route is do-able, but the more off-trail route, the better in my opinion. It is also more direct. The Sveðjá crossing is definitely sketchy, so if you are comfortable with an alternate routes, it's definitely safer.
Hello Mark, I have a few questions. With a friend we crossed Iceland from Myvan to Skogar, walking through Vonaskard. Where did you cross the Kaldakvisl in the Vonaskard ? Did you just follow the path for the vehicle or you crossed near the glacier? How strong was the stream ? Did you have to swim to cross ? Why didn't you go to the Basàr's huts before the Eyjafjallajokull ? Did you walk on the road n°1 all the time or you crossed the land towards Vik when the road make an elbow ? Thanks for yours answers.
Russell - what size pack did you take? I've an osprey aether 70 - is that big enough and did you have any problems fording rivers on Route 26. Is a water purification system necessary?
Russell - how did you get on pitching your tent bearing in mind the ground is lava and pegs might not fix in adequately? I'm thinking of a hilleberg atco myself. What was the weather like - wind, temperature etc. I've a 3 season sleeping bag - is that adequate - I'm going in early July.
Pitching tent: I used y stakes and would strengthen with larger rocks. There were some non-stellar pitches, but I never had too much of an issue. I would consider taking a mid shelter next time. Ley's website has a section with his thoughts on tents - at least 3-season and freestanding. A freestanding tent would give you a lot more pitching options. Weather: Refer to wunderground.com and Ley's website for more info. The wind is relentless and you are always exposed. When nice: 40-50 higher up, 60-70 lower. Some days and nights felt 20-30 due to the wind chill. Bag choice depends on your other insulating layers, but I personally wouldn't take anything less than 30-degree.
hey mate, i'm planning on going to iceland next year and bike across the country... for backpacking, would you say that people need to be in shape or is it easy ?
I liked it and still use it today. A zipper stopped working on the hip belt towards the end of the trip, but they replaced it for me. I know some very experienced hikers that like it for larger loads.
I was running out of time and I got up to a point where I wasn't comfortable with making the hike across the snow alone. At one point, I postholed into a very cold stream running underneath it and decided it wasn't worth the risk. It's definitely do-able, though.
Hello Russellll! I have one question. I am going to do what You did. Is there any trail from the north to the south or You used only compass? I would like to go like You went. Thank You for your an answer. Greetings from Poland!
Hey, there were two main established hiking trails: one leading up to Dettifoss and the Laugavegurinn. Elsewhere, there are some established routes for off-road vehicles with markers. It's fairly easy to navigate with a map and compass because of the prominent geographic features and long sight-lines.
Hey Russell, I think my 11-yr-old son and I saw you near Vik. Did yiu tell us you wefe from New York. Check out my Iceland photos at www.chriszimmer.com
There are 1:250000 maps and software available from Ferdakort. In Reykjavik, there is a store called Iðnú where I picked up more detailed maps (1:50000), but they were out-dated and resulted in some frustration (large variable in the lava symbol; some water sources not existing; changes to roads). 1:100000 seems to be the preferred scale, but I was unable to find any.
Also, if you use a GPS device, there is a good map at ourfootprints(dot)de
I arrived at Myvatn in late June (I think around the 22nd). I found the midges the most aggravating about 30-40 miles after Myvatn. They come and go as you get close to water, but there's a good day and half where they seem endless. Definitely bring your head net.
Thanks man for that video and links to your gear list and hike trail. 😊 I will be doing same route!
That is one of the most awesome videos I've ever seen. Kudos man.
There's a nice bus system along the road that goes along the perimeter of the island. I caught it from Vik back to Reykjavik.
The food was a variety of meal bars, granola, dried fruit, dark chocolate, chips (pringles), and freeze dried meals.
Great! …and nice back pack & Trekking Poles.
That is day 15. That is the view on the Laugevegur coming down from Jökultungur to lake Álftavatn.
Hey Mark, I used a 60L dry bag and was able to manage a 9 day stretch without resupply. Your space requirements depend on your gear and food choices, but 70L seems to be in the correct range.
The only river fords that I considered dangerous were Sveðjá and one a few miles after it. I never walked along F26, but my back up plan if Sveðjá was too strong was to cross back to the other side of the valley and meet F26 and follow it all the way to Landmannalauger.
I purified my water about half of the time. There are quite a few sheep, so I'd recommend it. Aquamira drops are a low weight penalty.
Check out Jonathan Ley's website. It has almost all of the info necessary for the trip. The route includes established trails from Asbyrgi to Dettifoss and then the Laugavegur (and whatever the remaining trail to Skogar is called). It is a mix of cross country and following "roads" which are largely trail markers. You can cut some of these out, but you can run into impassable lava flows and have to back track. Andrew Skurka's website also has useful info regarding hiking in Iceland.
Great vid - and many happy memories - including the sheep!
Great Video! I went to Iceland last year and it was amazing, you have captured its beauty very well:) Also i would love to do a hike like this at sometime in my life, looks really interesting and fun!
Good to know, because I might one day do something similar. Seems like a great trip.
Do it!
Special advice... if arriving at Myvatn from the North, try to time it so that you arrive in the early morning (4am). The change in the land from the Krafla lava fields to the lake was amazing to experience with that lighting.
I also recommend taking a GPS with the Iceland map found at ourfootprints(dot)de. It had more updated data than the printed maps I purchased. Make sure you have paper maps, though.
Look at Jonathan Ley's website, the information is very well structured.
I am planning on being there mid-July, I am cycling, so maybe it will not be so bad
Incredible, might do the same soon
great video,
regards from an Icelander
Food is definitely expensive, but I generally feel happy contributing some tourist money to their economy.
Only time I was able to eat fresh food was in Reykjahlíð and Vík. I really enjoyed Gamli Bærinn in Reykjahlíð (good stews, free coffee refills, and shameless plug use to recharge batteries) and some restaurant attached to the visitor center in Vík (I won't forget that lamb sandwich).
I was very pleased with it. I wore a small hole into one of the hip belt pockets and they gave me a replacement hip belt for free. I appreciated the scalability of it for this trip due to the variety of food loads.
You absolute legend. Awesome trip!
Correct. There were some uncomfortable days when they might have been nice though.
Well done - that's a really cool video! I did a similar trip (An Expedition Across Iceland) so it was great to watch yours.
Al
I like how it starts out with you playing angry bird.
Very cool man, good job! :)
worth to visit there
Hello Russell, my friends and I are planning on doing a hike across Iceland this summer. I was wondering if you could tell me what were some challenges that you faced on your trip and what are somethings you could have done differently, in terms of packing, food, routes you took, etc.?
Great work! We had the same idea! :)
Hey man great video! I have wanted to trek trough Iceland for a while now and this video is really encouraging. Any special advice for someone that is planning to make this trip on their own?
Hi! Great movie!
There are no rain pants on your gearlist, am I correct?
Must have been an awesome trip wich will give you memories for the rest of your life. Which day (I have your map) is 5:41 ? Looks like a great view
Beautiful video. Thank you very much for the map and information.
I was wondering, after you get to the bridge at Skjalfandafjot, why do you continue the way you do, rather than take F910 around Tungnafellskoekull, and then take F26? It seems easier in terms of river crossing and navigation. Thank you!
Hey,
Short answer: Jonathan Ley who knows better than me and chose this way + close proximity to glacier = better experience. Your alternate route is do-able, but the more off-trail route, the better in my opinion. It is also more direct. The Sveðjá crossing is definitely sketchy, so if you are comfortable with an alternate routes, it's definitely safer.
How did the ULA Epic perform for you?
What time of year was this and were the bugs at Lake Myvatn that bad I am planning on going next year.
Hello Mark,
I have a few questions.
With a friend we crossed Iceland from Myvan to Skogar, walking through Vonaskard.
Where did you cross the Kaldakvisl in the Vonaskard ? Did you just follow the path for the vehicle or you crossed near the glacier? How strong was the stream ? Did you have to swim to cross ?
Why didn't you go to the Basàr's huts before the Eyjafjallajokull ?
Did you walk on the road n°1 all the time or you crossed the land towards Vik when the road make an elbow ?
Thanks for yours answers.
Russell - what size pack did you take? I've an osprey aether 70 - is that big enough and did you have any problems fording rivers on Route 26. Is a water purification system necessary?
What materials did you use is there like a guide book or are there good maps? is it mostly just like cross country or are there marked trails?
The pack gets 2 thumbs up.
Both trekking pole tips were broken by the end of the trip, but were replaced by the company.
Nice done!
How about food?
Did you carry food for 20 days from start?
Russell - how did you get on pitching your tent bearing in mind the ground is lava and pegs might not fix in adequately? I'm thinking of a hilleberg atco myself. What was the weather like - wind, temperature etc. I've a 3 season sleeping bag - is that adequate - I'm going in early July.
Pitching tent: I used y stakes and would strengthen with larger rocks. There were some non-stellar pitches, but I never had too much of an issue. I would consider taking a mid shelter next time. Ley's website has a section with his thoughts on tents - at least 3-season and freestanding. A freestanding tent would give you a lot more pitching options.
Weather: Refer to wunderground.com and Ley's website for more info. The wind is relentless and you are always exposed. When nice: 40-50 higher up, 60-70 lower. Some days and nights felt 20-30 due to the wind chill. Bag choice depends on your other insulating layers, but I personally wouldn't take anything less than 30-degree.
hey mate, i'm planning on going to iceland next year and bike across the country... for backpacking, would you say that people need to be in shape or is it easy ?
how did you like the ULA Epic pack?
I liked it and still use it today. A zipper stopped working on the hip belt towards the end of the trip, but they replaced it for me. I know some very experienced hikers that like it for larger loads.
RusseIIII Seems like that is Andrew Skurka's go to pack for expeditions.
How many hours do you walk per day?
Hey Cheah, between 10-12, but there were a few really long days and a few 0 days.
Nice video! You a Swede?
Thanks for watching!
Hey, i'm planning to do a similar route, inlcuding askja. I was wondering, when studying your map data, what was the reason for not going to askja?
I was running out of time and I got up to a point where I wasn't comfortable with making the hike across the snow alone. At one point, I postholed into a very cold stream running underneath it and decided it wasn't worth the risk. It's definitely do-able, though.
Were those birds trying to attack you? If so I could not stop laughing...
Yes, one hit me in the head at the beginning of the trip (I was in a nesting area).
RusseIIII I experienced the same in A. D. 2011. I also was attacked by this kind of birds close of Vik town. Greetings from Poland!
Hello Russellll! I have one question. I am going to do what You did. Is there any trail from the north to the south or You used only compass? I would like to go like You went. Thank You for your an answer. Greetings from Poland!
Konkwistadorrr did you ever do it?? I want to hike across Iceland as well.
I was there last time in A. D. 2011 but I never did it across. This year i am going to do it.
Hey, there were two main established hiking trails: one leading up to Dettifoss and the Laugavegurinn. Elsewhere, there are some established routes for off-road vehicles with markers. It's fairly easy to navigate with a map and compass because of the prominent geographic features and long sight-lines.
Swedish singing!
Hey Russell, I think my 11-yr-old son and I saw you near Vik. Did yiu tell us you wefe from New York. Check out my Iceland photos at www.chriszimmer.com
Hey Chris, nice pics. That might have been me. Was that around Skogafoss?
Hey Russelll, Check your email!!