🥾Iceland - Ancient Trail, Hut to Hut Hiking + Northern Lights

Fully guided and supported by local Icelandic guides, the stunning AncientTrail is one of the greatest treks in the world.

Where else can you experience geothermal springs, majestic gorges, magical glaciers, multi-coloured rhyolite mountains, and black obsidian lava…

The story of Iceland is written in its landscapes and best told through its hiking trails. Get ready for a trek through time—past ancient glaciers, epic geysers, legendary Viking footpaths, centennial hiker’s huts—and uncover the forces that have shaped the Land of Fire and Ice for millions of years. You’ll walk along the same paths that Viking settlers, farmers, explorers, and armies were once using to transit between the north and the south. This path is shrouded in myth and legend, very remote, and was once even full of trolls, elves, ghosts, and outlaws! Step onto the trail and hike over lava fields, between glaciers, over rivers, and canyons, and at the end of each day, rest your weary feet in cozy huts. You’ll taste traditional dishes and unwind in natural hot springs like travelers of the old. Experience the legacy and history of Iceland in this single hike.

8 -DAY ALL-INCLUSIVE TREK

DAY 1  Reykjavík – fly in , check into hotel, dinner ( hotel & dinner included)with other trekkers

DAY 2  The first day is a mix of transfer day and sightseeing (doing the Golden Circle sights Thingvellir & Geysir while driving to the center of Iceland, the Central Highlands, Kjölur area, to our first hut in Kerlingarfjöll mountains (Troll Mountains) We also eat lunch in Efstidalur Restaurant & Farm on day 1, Breakfast included at the hotel. dinner at the 1st hut. Approx 3 km walking.

Day 3    This day is a full day hike into Hveradalir geothermal valley. A lollipop hike (out-and-back + loop) into a very colorful and otherworldly landscape where we can see steaming hot springs, mud pools, glacial rivers, perennial snow fields, glaciers and vibrant colors in the mountains. After that we drive to Hveravellir, our next hut. 12km walking

 Hveravellir (hut 2) has geothermal pool just next to the hut and dinner will be served in the ancient turf house close by that the Viking sheepherders built a long time ago (super authentic traditional Icelandic food experience).

Day 4   On the fourth day we check out the cave that the most famous outlaw in Iceland lived in and hike over one of the largest lava fields in Iceland to the remote mountain valley called Thjofadalir. Thieves used to live here and ambush people travelling the trail. There are lots of sheep that eat the grass in the very much vegetated valley. In the afternoon we summit the mountain Raudkollur and enjoy incredible views all around (360° vast landscapes, glaciers, rivers snaking through the landscape, different vegetations, etc) Thjofadalir (hut 3) is also the tiniest hut on the trip. Fits exactly 12. Not roomy at all, but a super cozy vibe. 18km walking

Day 5  On this day we follow the ancient cairns built by the Vikings a 1000 years ago with the river Fulahvisl on our right side and enjoy mountain views and get quite close to the mountain Hrutfell with its glacier fingers crawling down the mountain side (I love this mountain). We cross a very beautiful narrow canyon over a bridge and then up and down some hills to reach the hut.Thverbrekknamuli (hut 4) is roomier and feels luxurious after hut 3. 14km walking

Day 6 this day is the flattest hike but also the longest. We hike through old horse tracks, some quite deep and get more and more vegetation until we reach Hvitarnes hut, which is one of the most haunted places in Iceland (non violent ghosts, no worries) and enjoy incredible views of the glacier Langjokull and the lake Hvitarvatn which flows from the glacier. 16km walking.

Day 7  is a transfer day with a sightseeing & lunch stop at Gullfoss waterfall.

Night at hotel & dinner (included)

Day 8  Flight home or stay on and see Reykjavik

Important: This is a supported trip, meaning we will have an experienced highland driver in a 4x4 mountain truck to take our luggage from hut-to-hut. Each guest is allowed one item of luggage. Sleeping bag can be separate from the luggage bag. Both the truck and the highland buses go through rivers so the luggage can get wet.

We recommend a strong waterproof bag.

Each person is responsible for carrying their luggage to and from the mountain truck each day.