I embarked on an alternative Iceland crossing – an entirely solo 2500 km / 1500 mi route around most of the island, taking 3.5 months to complete. I carved my own route through the otherworldly ashlands of Iceland, going in and out of the Highlands, coming back to the Ring Road to resupply. It was desolate and cold and lonely and in retrospect, probably the best adventure ever.
Scroll down for the route, blogs and more information on my hike!
▽
Start date + point: 31 May 2017, Vatnaleið bus stop (Snaefellsnes Peninsula)
Finish date + point: 10 September 2017, Goðafoss
Total distance walked: 2,532 km / 1,573 mi
Total days: 103
Walking days: 86
Zero days: 17 (Of which, Rest/Resupply days: 10, Sitting out bad weather: 4, Waiting for packages: 3)
Average distance per day: 29.5 km / 18.3 mi
Days slept in tent: 101 (Home: 1, Mountain hut: 1)
Days wild camped: 46
Total showers: 23
Longest time without shower: 12 days
People spoken to: ~ 10
River crossings: ~ 40
▽
The route I followed started west in Snaefellsnes Peninsula and ended north at Goðafoss. I followed a collection of roads (blue), scarcely travelled dirt roads (brown), and hiking trails (green). I crossed through several remarkable hiking areas, such as Hengill, Lakagígar, Lónsöræfi and the East Fjords. And I made sure my route linked up with some renowned trails, like the Hellismannaleið, Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, and the Askja Trail.
The map shows all the places I set up my tent at night, and each blog below includes a more detailed map for the relevant section hiked.
▽
GEAR
Gear List For A 3.5 Month Hike Through Iceland
ABOUT THE HIKE
What It’s REALLY Like to (Almost) Walk Iceland’s Ring Road, Twice
81 Places to (Wild!) Camp in Iceland (Stories & Advice for Future Hikers)
BLOGS
An Iceland Expedition (part 14) : Askja(!), walking from Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
An Iceland Expedition (part 15) : Going North, walking from Mývatn to Ásbyrgi
An Iceland Expedition (part 16) : To the Waterfall of the Gods, walking from Ásbyrgi to Goðafoss
▽
