Hiking to the top of Mt. Hekla volcano in Iceland.
Trip Difficulty 3+ out of 5 possible
Category:
Daytrip, available directly from Reykjavik in Iceland.
Height: 1491 m.
Terrain: Rough lava fields, ice and snow as the peak
draws nearer.
Average ascend time: 3-4 hours.
Total average trip time: 7-8 hours.
Height gain: ~1040 meter
Mt. Hekla is undeniably Iceland’s most famous mountain. It is the second
most active volcano in Iceland and has erupted many times in historic
times, including one in February 2000. The mountain towers over South
Iceland at roughly 1500 meters. The height changes due to movements of
the earth crusts and seismic movements.
For hundreds of years the mountain was believed to be the gateway to
hell and no one dared climbing it. Until, Eggert Ólafsson, a famous
Icelandic biologist, decided to throw caution to the wind and succeeded
in summiting the mountain in the summer of 1750.
Since then hiking to the top of Mt. Hekla has become a popular route.
Although, it is not recommended to drive up its sides as the timeframe
between the signaling earthquakes and an eruption is only 30-60 minutes.
The view from the top of Mt. Hekla is wide and beautiful; you can see
all of Fjallabak mountains, up to Vatnajökull glacier (Europe’s biggest
glacier) not to mention all the evidence of recent and longstanding
volcanic activity.
Details:
Price: 29.990 ISK per person.Minimum 4 persons.
Distance from Reykjavik: ca. 160 km. Duration of hike: 7-8 hours. Total
length of trip: 12-13 hours. Available from Mid June - September
(depending on weather). Minimum: 4 persons. Maximum: 60 persons. Age
limit: 16 years. Bring with you: warm outdoor clothing, waterproof
jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking boots are a vital!
Trip starts at approx. 08:00am if leaving from Reykjavik, 10:00am from
the base of the mountain.
We reserve the right to postpone or cancel trips due to weather or other
factors out side our control.
Disclaimer:
All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its
participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for
accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there
own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all
trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an
inherit risk.