Hengill Hike - 3 days

Please note that the following itinerary is only a suggestion. See more detailed information about our hotels and “what to do” and “what to see” here

“Around Iceland/Rund um Island” guide book includes maps and useful information to help your journey throughout Iceland

We recommend buying the Hiking map at Fosshótel Nesbúð.

Day 1 If transfer is included in your package, we recommend that you reconfirm timing and pick up location with the hotel manager at Fosshotel Nesbúð, Mr. Guðmundur, phone 482-3415. Stay for 2 nights at the adventure & wilderness lodge, Fosshótel Nesbúð, situated in the Hengill hills - Nesjavellir. These days are yours to enjoy the fantastic landscape of the region and this paradise for hiking. At the end of each day, relax in the hotel’s geothermal outdoor hot tubs. Here are different hiking suggestions:

Day 1-3 Hiking

Information circleNesjavellir – 11 km – 4 hours: Starting from Fosshótel Nesbúð at Nesjavellir, this hike takes you through the geological area around Nesjavellir, seeing bubbling colourful clay pots and you can smell the sulphur!! Follow the green trail markers Nesjavallavirkjan – Rauðuflög – Kýrdalur –Nesjalaugargil – Köldulaugagil - back to the hotel.

Hike to Hveragerði – 15 km – 6 to 8 hours: Beautiful landscape and you go through a geothermal area. Start from Fosshótel Nesbúð along the blue markers towards Stangarháls and then just follow the sheep tracks (not marked at all) over a rather flat area and soft hills straight ahead toward the mountain Ölkelduhnúkur. As a simple but very affective orientation you will have Mt Hengill always on your right side and the steam vents of the hot springs from Ölkelduháls in front of you. You hike direction Kýrgil and meet the blue marked trail up the slopes to Ölkelduháls. Follow now the red marked trail like a circle along several hot springs and then down a very steep path to Klambragil – a beautiful green valley with a hot river. We recommend exploring first the rather spectacular hot springs at Klambragil, just below the mountain where you reach deep into the dramatic valley where you find also a small waterfall at the very end. There are very many wet areas and hot springs here, so be careful where you are walking. Now follow the river until it turns left. There you cross the river and get to the spot where the river turns right again by almost 90 degrees, just below a mountain hut called “Dalasel”. Here you will find several locations that are ideal for bathing and you are in complete wilderness – so there are no changing facilities, toilets or tourist infrastructure. You might be all alone by yourself. What a perfect place to for hiking adventure in Iceland. The best bathing spots are just below confluence of the hot and cold river. Note, if the water is too hot move downstream, if the water is too cold move upstream. Bring along a towel, bathing suit and clean socks. When hiking down the valley Reykjadalir direction Hveragerði, we recommend to do so on the right side of the river, along a stony path with some hot springs and steam vents en route. At one spot you must cross the warm river – so take off your shoes. Continue the same valley, now on the left side of the river and soon you will reach the place called Djúpagil gorge and its impressive waterfall. Climb down the red marked track towards Rjúpnabrekkur to the parking lot and small bridge at Árhólmar. Now you reach civilization again. Walk along the gravel road down to the village of Hveragerði. Call back to Fosshotel Nesbúð, phone 482-3415 to order your transfer. While waiting, you might either visit the local bakery or the greenhouse “ Eden” to enjoy a good coffee and an Icelandic cake, ice cream and sandwich.

Grand circle – 18 km – 7 hours:You hike from Fosshótel Nesbúð to Dyradalur valley in the Mt. Hengill area, go down Jörukleif gorge where you have a beautiful view over Lake Þingvallavatn. From here you continue down to the lake and then head back to the lodge. This first part of the hike is a little steep, but after that it is relatively easy. You start with following the red markers up the mountain to Dyradalur, then follow the blue markers down Jörukleif gorge to Botnadalur and continue following the blue markers over Nesjahraun lava field towards Skógarholt, cross over Riðvikurtangi at the lake and cross over Hagavíkurhraun always along the blue markers back to the hotel.

Mt. Hengill – 15 to 18 km – 8 to 9 hours: Now it’s the “real stuff”. You hike to Skeggi, the peak of Mt. Hengill. Rather difficult hike. Fantastic view to Reykjavik, all the glaciers, down to the ocean and to the highlands. Follow the blue trail markers Stangarháls – Ölfusvatnsskyggnir – and then follow the black markers to Vörðu-Skeggi. You can return the same way or follow the black and blue markers via Marardalur – Klungrin – Hálsar – Dyradalur - and then the red trail down Háhryggur to Fosshótel Nesbúð. The second routing is about 18 km return.

Day 3 Individual departure from Fosshótel Nesbúð, except if it is included in your package, then we recommend making arrangements with the hotel management.

General Information:

The Hengill-Nesjavellir area in South Iceland is an outdoor sports paradise, with 160 km of marked mountain trails. A variety of challenging hiking trails cover a high-temperature geothermal area with hot springs, volcanic craters, lava fields, rivers and lakes. Besides hiking, you can also go mountain biking, fishing on Lake Þingvallavatn ( Iceland’s largest lake), visit Þingvellir national park, tour the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant and go horseback riding (price of activities not included in our tour). The base is Fosshótel Nesbúð, a type of wilderness & adventure lodge, with simple rooms, a rustic restaurant, bar, sitting & TV rooms and three outdoor hot tubs. The front desk employees will advise you about the daily hiking options as listed in this program.

Some more information:

Group size: Independent itinerary – for safety reasons we recommend that two or more people travel together.

Language: English

Level of difficulty: You should be in good physical shape and able to hike on uneven and unpaved trails. You should carry everything you need for each day in a daypack. Shuttle service is not available on the hiking trails, except the transfer from Hveragerði to Nesjavellir after the Hengill Hike. HIKING BOOTS ARE ESSENTIAL. We also recommend that you purchase the hiking map available at the hotel.

Best suited for: These trips are best suited for independent-minded travellers who like to plan their own itinerary each day. You should be able to read maps and be good at orienting yourself in nature.

Included: 2 nights in Nesjavellir, 2x breakfast, one 2-course dinner, one selfmade lunch package from the breakfast buffet, free use of outdoor geothermal hot tubs at Nesjavellir, and transfer Hveragerði-Nesbúð after the Hengill hike, hiking poles for 3 days while staying at Fosshótel Nesbúð.

Not included: Transfer Reykjavík-Nesjavellir-Reykjavík, personal travel insurance (arranged by passenger), meals other than mentionned above, mobile phones, hiking boots, equipment and a map of Hegill area.

Liability: Please note, that you hike on your own risk and this program is based on individual participation and is not guided at all. With your security in mind, we suggest that you take a mobile phone along your tours so you have possibilities to notify your hotel or even the Icelandic emergency centre 112 in case of serious problems on route.

 We wish you a pleasant trip, walk & drive safely!

Emergency numbers: 562-4000 or 562-3350 (Fosshótel Lind)

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