Beyond the Mountains
Where nature imposes silence
Fjallabak means ‘beyond the mountains’ in Icelandic. It’s the name of an old walking route that meanders through a tangle of paths crisscrossing the volcanic highlands of Iceland’s interior. This track is the birthplace of the sport of hiking in Iceland.
Transcendence
If you dream of exploring the great outdoors, observing raw nature and volcanic phenomena, Iceland is undoubtedly one of the best places for this type of adventure. There’s nothing like total immersion to uncover the secrets of this country. Leave Highway No. 1 behind, go with a professional guide and discover the vast and extraordinary scenery of the interior. Feelings of awe, peace and a sense of revitalization are among the emotions you may feel during your stay and whether you prefer hiking, riding or skiing, a variety of treks to the highlands are possible. Offering a subtle mix of effort and pleasure, highland treks are very conducive to some great encounters, whether via a small group of hikers or with Icelanders themselves. Travelling is, above all, a way to realise your dreams, to satisfy your curiosity or to keep the nomadic spirit alive, all the while storing visual mementos in one’s heart and soul. Depending on the time and budget you have available, between one and four weeks are needed to truly discover Iceland and choose the trip that suits you best.
The Fours Seasons Tour‘The Four Seasons of Iceland’ tour around Iceland is open to all. The approximately 3,000 km route takes 27 days, averaging 125 km per day, with plenty of time for beautiful walks, nature watching and contemplation. It takes into account the climate and seasons, the flora and birdlife. You can choose to participate in all or part of this tour, join up with it at any point along the way or leave before the end.
Off the Beaten Path
Total immersion in the heart of this unforgettable country is something that is sought out by hikers. There are countless routes in Iceland which, were they in mainland Europe, would be famous hiking trails, well documented and certainly well trod. But here in Iceland, apart from a few arctic foxes and flocks of migratory birds, visitors to them have been few and far between ever since Iceland rose out of the ocean. With the advent of walking as a sport discipline, certain paths have only just been discovered and have become globally known, such as the Laugavegur trail. While well maintained with trail markers and strategically located huts, its raw beauty is just a tantalising taste of the mysterious hidden beauties to be found within Iceland.
Beyond the Mountains
Hike Mount Hekla, one of the most famous volcanos in Iceland or the volcanic highlands of Öræfi along the shores of the Elves’ Mountains on the east of the island—a trek ranked among the 25 most beautiful in the world according to National Geographic. The isolation of the region accompanied by sudden mood swings of the elements require everyone to be in good physical shape. These treks are for adventure purists, contemplative healthy types, free spirits and lovers of the great outdoors who wish to immerse themselves in the raw nature and to discover landscapes that are only barely imaginable. Expeditions on foot or Nordic skis are only for the most hardy and experienced hikers and mountaineers, who delight in pitting their skills against the likes of the sheer slope of a volcanic ridge.
For visitors who hesitate between a trek in a particular area and seeing a broad spectrum of the Icelandic landscape, there are treks that combine the most beautiful sites of South Iceland with hiking in the remote highlands of the Fjallabak region in centre of the country. Philippe Patay, founder and director of Fjallabak has lived in Iceland for over 40 years and is one of the trekking pioneers in Iceland. With nearly 30 years of experience leading specialised treks around the country, the Fjallabak team expertly attends to the details of organisation, safety and planning, allowing you to relax and enjoy yourself to the full. Let Philippe, with his team of professional guides, take you on a journey of discovery into Iceland’s vast and remote hinterlands, truly at the ‘end of the world.’
Fjallabak
Po.Box 1622 • 121 Reykjavik
+354 511 3070
[email protected]
www.fjallabak.is
