Reykjanes Lighthouses

The tour starts in Hólaskjól Highland Center. Hikers will travel to Hólaskjól by their own volition. The road leading to Hólaskjól is clear for any type of car even though it is F road for the last 20 km. It is possible to book a pickup from the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Parking space is available Hólaskjól Highland Center for travelers and hikers to park during the time of hiking.

From Hólaskjól Higland Center hikers will travel with a 4×4 bus fit for the rough highland roads from Hólaskjól to lake Langisjór and the mountain Sveinstindur. The hike begins by hiking to the top of Sveinstindur. The view from the top is spectacular. The view stretches over the breath-taking valleys and mountains given to us by Mother Nature. The hike continues from Sveinstindur to a cabin by the river Skaftá where the first night will be spent. The day’s hike will be around 4-5 hours long. The starting destination at the bottom of Sveinstindur is around 600 meters above sea level and the top is 1090 meters. The elevation is therefore 5-600 meters.

Langisjór is a large lake southwest of the glacier Vatnajökull. The lake is 27 square kilometers, 20km long and 2km wide, at its widest. The altitude is 662m above sea level. East of Langisjór is the mountain range Fögrufjöll in which many rock formations lead into the water and into the fjords and bays. By the southern end of the lake is Sveinstindur, a mountain named after Sveinn Pálsson, a physician and naturalist from the town of Vík. Sveinstindur is 1092m above sea level. The hike is relatively easy and hikers with little to no experience can get to the top with an increase of 400m in altitude. The view from the top is unique, it is said that in case the weather is good enough, a person should be able to see a view that stretches a quarter over Iceland. From the glacier Öræfajökull in the east, to Hellisheiði and the two galciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull in the west. The view stretches over all Langisjór additionally, an unforgettable sight to see. To the right of the lake is the mountain range Fögrufjöll with numerous lagoons between heights and peaks. East of Fögrufjöll runs the glacier river Skaftá, which has historically crashed with catastrophic floods. The floods originate in Skaftárkatlar, which is close to the glacier Vatnajökull. From the east of Skaftá, one can see the crater Lakagígar, where the lava from Skaftá flooded in the lowlands in 1783 – the third largest lava flow on earth since the last Ice Age.

Langisjór, one of Europe’s most beautiful and pristine highland lakes, is tucked in between the beautiful Tungnárfjöll and Fögrufjöll Mountains at the western edge of Vatnajökull Glacier. Measuring 20 km long and 2 km wide in some places, the lake is 27sq km and 75m at its deepest and lies some 640m above sea level. The view around the lake is magnificent and at the southern end of the lake stands Sveinstindur (1090 m) which is considered by many to be one of the best views of the panorama of the surrounding area. Views over Lakagígar, Skaftáreldahraun, Öræfajökul and Hekla are possible in clear weather.
The day’s trek is around 5 km long.
Active trekking time is 4 – 5 hours

After breakfast there is time to look at an amazing waterfall that is hidden close to Hólaskjól Highland Center. Some of the travelers might have stored their cars in Hólaskjól Highland Center. For travelers without a car, it is possible to book transfer to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Vík at the ring road number 1 one the South Cost. Travelers that will continue the trek will start trekking after lunch and perhaps some new group members have joined to trek the second part of the Eldgjá Trek.