Eldgjá trail – 3 day trekking tour

In this area we are in the surroundings of two catastrophic eruptions that amount to the largest lava flows on earth since the end of the ice age about 10.000 years ago. The Laki eruption took place in 1783 to 1784 and the Eldgjá eruption around 938. The Eldgjá fissure was created in those eruptions. It is a 60 km long fissure that extand from the mountain Gjátindur til the glacier Mýrdalsjökull in southeast. 

 

In our hour expedition we will mount the mountain Gjátind and then move down the Eldgjá fissure to observe that fissure and the waterfall Ófærufoss that falls in the Eldgjá canyon. Both of these eruptions had worldwide impacts the total lava flow from the Eldgjá Eruption is estimated around 19km3 and the 

 

 

 

Hikers will travel to Hólaskjól by their own volition. The road leading to Hólaskjól is clear for any type of car even though it is F road for the last 20 km. parking space is available there for travelers and hikers to park during the time of hiking. The hikers will travel with a bus fit for the rough highland roads from Hólaskjól to Sveinstindur. The hike begins by hiking to the top of Sveinstindur. The view from the top is spectacular. The view stretches over the breath-taking valleys and mountains given to us by Mother Nature. The hike continues from Sveinstindur to a cabin by the river Skaftá where the first night will be spent. The day’s hike will be around 4-5 hours long. The starting destination at the bottom of Sveinstindur is around 600 meters above sea level and the top is 1090 meters. The elevation is therefore 5-600 meters.

 

 

Langisjór is a large lake southwest of the glacier Vatnajökull. The lake is 27 square kilometers, 20km long and 2km wide, at its widest. The altitude is 662m above sea level. East of Langisjór is the mountain range Fögrufjöll in which many rock formations lead into the water and into the fjords and bays. By the southern end of the lake is Sveinstindur, a mountain named after Sveinn Pálsson, a physician and naturalist from the town of Vík. Sveinstindur is 1092m above sea level. The hike is relatively easy and hikers with little to no experience are able to get to the top with an increase of 400m in altitude. The view from the top is unique, it is said that in case the weather is good enough, a person should be able to see a view that stretches a quarter over Iceland. From the glacier Öræfajökull in the east, to Hellisheiði and the two galciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull in the west. The view stretches over all of Lanigsjór additionally, an unforgettable sight to see. To the right from the lake is the mountain range Fögrufjöll with numerous lagoons between highs and peaks. East of Fögrufjöll runs the glacier river Skaftá, which has historically crashed with catastrophic floods. The floods originate in Skaftárkatlar, which are close to the glacier Vatnajökull. From the east of Skaftá, one can see the crater Lakagígar, where the lava from Skaftá flooded in the lowlands in 1783 – the third largest lava flow on earth since the last Ice Age. 

 

Langisjór, one of Europe’s most beautiful and pristine highland lakes, is tucked in between the beautiful Tungnárfjöll and Fögrufjöll Mountains at the western edge of Vatnajökull Glacier. Measuring 20 km long and 2 km wide in some places, the lake is 27sq km and 75m at its deepest, and lies some 640m above sea level. The view  around the lake is magnificent and at southern end of the lake stands Sveinstindur (1090 m) which is considered by many to be one of the best views of the panorama of the surrounding area. Views  over Lakagígar, Skaftáreldahraun, Öræfajökul and Hekla are possible in clear weather.

 

 

From there keep walking along Skaftá through sandy and moss covered paths, through valleys and canyons near Uxatindar and to Skælingar in Stóragil In Stóragil there are many amazing lava formations from Skáftáreldar. 

 

Day two starts off by a walk alongside the river Skaftá and by the valley Hvanngil and mountain Uxatindur. The second day’s hike can be expected to be around 18km in a fabulously colorful landscape. The views are a momentous part of the trip and are unforgettable. The hike’s destination for day two is Skælingar, where the most adventurous hikers will be able to bathe in a cold mere.

 

In Skælingar there is an old cabin that one’s belonged to the farmers in this part of Iceland. One of many such cabins in Iceland that were used in the autumn in the sheep round-up, when farmers collected sheep from the Highland. 

 

One such place is the wonderful world of unusual lava formation at Skælingar.  A place where everything is calm and quiet but yet a place that looks strange and exotic. 

 

beautiful scenery.

 

For the third and final day the hikers will start off hiking from Skælingar to the final destination of Hólaskjól . The hike starts off by a hike from Skælingar to Gjátindur, from the top of which a magnificent view of Iceland can be seen. The trail continues down Gjátindur into the lava canyon Eldgjá and to the infamous waterfall Ófærufoss – a popular destination for a lunch break before continuing the trail to Hólaskjól. The night will be spent in a cabin or tent in Hólaskjól. The day’s hike is around 17km long.

From Stóragil we head to Gjátindur and then to Eldgjá and take a look at Ófærufoss.

 

Lastly we walk to Hólaskjól where people shower, barbecue and relax until they fall asleep. This walk is about 36-40 km long. You can reserve accomodation and transportation of luggage in Hólaskjól. .

 

A place where everything is calm and quiet but yet a place that looks strange and exotic.  It is a place where you can easily conclude that elves or creatures of another dimension exist, and you don’t want to disturb them.

 

Silfurfoss (the Silver waterfall) is definitely one of these hidden gems Iceland has to offer. Off beaten track, almost unknown, still charming.