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Category: Walking Tracks

View into Herjólfsdalur valley, Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
As I gaze upon the Valley of Magic, I shall fear no heights

Walking tracks and hiking

Discover beautiful and challenging walking tracks and hikes. Mountains, volcanoes, coastal tracks and more.

Climbing up a ridiculously steep mountain with an unpronounceable name.

Scrambling up to prehistorical views.

A coastal track with wild cliffs and puffin colonies.

Fagradalsfjall volcano, erupting craters, Reykjanes, Iceland.
Fagradalsfjall – The spectacular Iceland volcano

Fagradalsfjall – The spectacular Iceland volcano

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The greatest show on Earth started in Iceland in March 2021. Reykjanes kicked into action and coughed up a new volcano in Geldingadalur, a secluded valley below Fagradalsfjall. What followed is a series of breathtaking events so incredible it has blown the minds of people around the world. Multiple craters appeared, erupting simultaneously, until one of them took over and turned into a giant lava geyser. Fagradalsfjall is one of the most versatile eruptions the world has ever witnessed. Read all about this extraordinary volcano (and how to get there) in this extensive article.

Cumbre Vieja volcano route, La Palma, Canary Islands.
La Palma – Cumbre Vieja Volcano Route

La Palma – Cumbre Vieja Volcano Route

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On the same day that Fagradalsfjall in Iceland subsided, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma cracked open a new crater and roared into life on 19 September 2021. But this is no friendly flowing volcano like the gentle Fagradalsfjall. Cumbre Vieja Natural Park offers stunning hiking routes amongst volcanic cones and giant craters. Now that this fierce volcano has settled down again, the Cumbre Vieja Ruta de los Volcanes (Volcano Route) is one of the finest walks you can do on La Palma.

Sunrise on Mount Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand.
Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki

Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki

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Mount Taranaki looms majestically over New Plymouth, on its own peninsula on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The mythical mountain is obscured from view most days of the year, shrouded by its low-hanging clouds. But now it stood there, clearly visible and beckoning in all its glory. I literally skidded to a halt when I saw it, and changed my direction there & then. It was calling me and I had to go. Mount Taranaki draws you in to explore its lofty top and many hiking tracks.

Hveradalir geothermal valley, Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland.
Kerlingarfjöll – Steaming valleys and surreal landscapes

Kerlingarfjöll – Steaming valleys and surreal landscapes

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The hot spring valley of Hveradalir in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains is something out of this world. Breathtaking views unfold into a steaming geothermal valley padded with snowfields clinging to the slopes, and shapes and colours so magnificient that you wonder if it’s even real. It’s like you’ve stepped into a surrealistic painting. Find out how to get to this otherworldly landscape and hike around the steaming valleys in the Icelandic highlands.

Mount Rjúpnafell, hiking route, Thórsmörk, Iceland.
Thórsmörk – Rjúpnafell and the hidden valley

Thórsmörk – Rjúpnafell and the hidden valley

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Mount Rjúpnafell is one of the steepest mountains in the valley of Thórsmörk. It sits on the north side of the Krossá river, and the walking track to the top is quite challenging. But you will be rewarded with sweeping views of glaciers and colourful folded mountain ranges all around. There’s also a sweet litte river valley hidden along the track below its slopes.

Útigönguhöfði and Hvannárgil canyon, hiking route, Thórsmörk, Iceland.
Thórsmörk – Útigönguhöfði and Hvannárgil canyon

Thórsmörk – Útigönguhöfði and Hvannárgil canyon

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Útigönguhöfði is that ridiculously steep mountain you see looming everywhere in Thórsmörk and on the way down from Fimmvörðuháls. Climbing it is as challenging as pronouncing its name… The impressive Hvannárgil canyon runs below its slopes and together they form a beautiful circuit, with jaw-dropping views from one end to the other. See how to get there, and combine this walk with Hvannárgil canyon or the lower part of the Fimmvörðuháls route. Be prepared for some serious crawling up the rocks on either side!

Thórsmörk hiking routes, Iceland.
Thórsmörk – The fabled valley

Thórsmörk – The fabled valley

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The fabled valley of Thórsmörk is the stuff of fairytales and epic sagas. It’s so beautiful that it almost seems unreal. Thórsmörk is full of folded valleys and convoluted gorges, glaciers with volcanoes underneath and bizarrely shaped mountains. You have to see it for yourself to believe it’s real. These spectacular hikes are a great way to do so.

Eyjafjallajökull craters on the Fimmvörðuháls hiking route, Thórsmörk, Iceland.
Fimmvörðuháls – The fiery pass across Eyjafjallajökull

Fimmvörðuháls – The fiery pass across Eyjafjallajökull

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The Fimmvörðuháls hike between Skógar and Thórsmörk is nothing short of epic. This 26 kilometer walking route takes you over the fiery pass across Eyjafjallajökull and into the fabled valley of Thórsmörk. On the top of the pass you can see the giant lava flows and new craters from the 2010 eruption. But is it possible to do all this in one day? Read all about Fimmvörðuháls the easy way, the hard way, and an unexpected grand encore on that ridiculously steep (but utterly beautiful) Útigönguhöfði mountain.