Iceland 'Fire & Ice' Running Expedition

Like trail running on another planet

Iceland is pure magic. Wild and unspoiled tundra meets harsh mountains. 140 volcanoes (30 of those are active) are in permanent battle against the biggest glaciers of Europe. Giant glacial rivers build impressive cascades on their way down to the ocean. A rare flora and fauna competes with the largest lava desert on the planet. Geysers, solfataras and high mountains shimmer in all possible colors. Hot springs invite to take a bath and relax. And with only very few people around. All this makes Iceland a paradise for all nature lovers.

Travel highlights
The best trails of the island, possibly of all Europe, can be found in the south.

Skaftafell-National park: Trail running at Europe's largest glacier with breath-taking views of the surrounding summits.
Jökulsárlón: Easy going along the famous glacier lake with it's numerous icebergs.
Vík: Lava beach run & bird watching (puffins)
Fimmvörthuháls: Impressive pass crossing between waterfalls and glaciers
Thórsmörk: Another world. Deep and wild canyons, glaciers, birch forests, caves, waterfalls (and a sauna)
Ascending volcanoes
Thermal area Hrafntinnusker: surrealistic Solfataras & glacial caves
Landmannalaugar: colorful rhyolite slopes, hot nature pools
Reykjavík & surroundings: Sightseeing, Nighlife, Trail-Quickies, Blue Lagoon

Duration: 10-12 days. I plan with 2 extra days, because you never know. There are areas, that won't let you go easily.

Accommodation:
In Reykjavík Hotel/Hostal, otherwise mountain huts and tent.

Equipment & provisions:
Weather-proof equipment is required. Most of your equipment and food has to be carried in a backpack. Before leaving, we can send clean clothes (& yummy beer :-) to our final destination. There's a fat chance, that we can catch some trout for BBQ in Landmannalaugar.

Trip Character:
Demanding tour, longest day trip is 30-35k (18-21mi), inbetween shorter legs and/or resting days possible (or extensions, if we have reached our milestone and our feet still wanna move further). In Landmannalaugar, our final destination, we can explore and relax for a couple of days. There are people, that won't leave the gorgeous nature pools for 2 entire days. The reason is, in these natural pools join hot and cold spring water and you choose your comfy zone just by selecting your positon.

Price
500 EUR (entry fee) including organization and tour guiding plus personal travel expenses

Runner's Paradise
This tour is part of the Runner's Paradise book project. All runners will be presented in the book as expedition participants.

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