TRAIL RUN ICELAND
NEW DATE: 20 -25 AUGUST 2023
SPACES AVAILABLE
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EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
We’ve cooked up a show stopper of a trail running journey as we head to the land of fire and ice for an experience that has it all.
We base ourselves at the Midgard Base Camp located on the southern coast of Iceland. This is an action-packed six-day experience that ticks just about every box imaginable; the Valley of Thor, the hot springs of Helgill, Westman Islands, Fimmvörðuháls - where glaciers, mountains, and volcanoes meet. We have a fluid itinerary that lends us the opportunity to also visit the jaw-dropping ‘Green Mountain’ at Grænihryggur and Landmannalaugar to run one of the most remarkable trails on the island.
When we are not running we have an immense opportunity to bathe and swim in a variety of natural hot springs, with a real slice of cultural sightseeing set aside by visiting the towns of Vik and Heimaey.
Back at base camp the included jacuzzi and sauna should help soothe weary limps, while we relax in front of the campfire and toast drinks to celebrate incredible days of trail running.
NEW DATE: 20 - 25 AUGUST 2023
TRIP ADVENTURE GRADE: B3
DISTANCE: Average of 10 - 20km per day
MAX. 12 RUNNERS
Would you like to talk to a Pure Trails team member to learn more about this trip?
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience jaw-dropping trail running as we explore the Valley of Thor, Hengill Geothermal Area, and Fimmvörðuháls - an excellent route between two glaciers
Journey to the Westman Islands - trail run one of the best-kept secrets of Iceland
Tick off your hot spring bucket list as we soak and relax in a huge range of local hot pools
Relax at the intrepid Midgard Base Camp flanked by mountains and black sand beaches to the south, the lodge has a jacuzzi, sauna, and bar which we’ll be sure to enjoy after spectacular days on the trail
ITINERARY
Click to explore in more detail.
+ DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN REYKJAVIK
Arrival into Reykjavik
Group pick-up and transfer to the Midgard Base Camp
Catch up with the rest of our team
10 - 15km trail run in the Hengill Geothermal Area
Packed lunch served by bubbling hot pools
Relax and swim in the Reykjadalur hot springs
Return to Midgard Base Camp to relax
Welcome 2 Course Dinner at the hotel
+ DAY 2: TRAIL RUNNING THE VALLEY OF THOR
Breakfast
Pack up and transfer to the Valley of Thor
Pack up our gear for a trail running experience
10 - 20km Trail run of the Valley of Thor
Lunch box provided
Back to the hotel to chill
BBQ, Beer & Hot Tub to relax
+ DAY 3: SOUTH COAST EXPLORATION
Breakfast
Today we have a blend of cultural sightseeing and trail running
Pack up our kit and load it into our support vehicle for transfer
10 - 20km trail run on the south coast, running the black sand beach, and Mt Reynisfjall.
Lunch in Vik
Relax in Vik hot springs and swimming pool
Return to Midgard Base Camp to relax
2 Course Dinner at the hotel
+ DAY 4: RUNNING THE FIMMVORDUHALS TRAIL
Breakfast
Pack up and transfer to Fimmvörðuháls
Pack up our gear for a trail running experience
25km Trail run of the Fimmvörðuháls, the route travels via two glaciers and a volcano
Lunch box provided
Back to the hotel to chill
BBQ, Beer & Hot Tub to relax
+ DAY 5: WESTMAN ISLANDS
Breakfast
Pack up our kit and load it into our support vehicle for a short drive to the ferry
Boat ride to the Westman Islands
20km trail run around the island of Heimaey
Visit the award-winning Eldheimar museum about the 1973 eruption
Lunch on the Westman Islands (excluded)
Bathe in the local hot spring
Dinner at Slippurinn (excluded) one of the best restaurants in the country
Return to Midgard Base Camp to relax
+ DAY 6: HOMEWARD BOUND
Breakfast
Group transfer to the airport
Onward flight home
*This itinerary is designed to be fluid to local weather conditions and we may run the itinerary in a different order, as well as including some additional trails if the group’s condition suits it.
Interested to have more detail on this trip?
INCLUDES:
5 days fully guided trail running in a range of jaw-dropping locations in Southern Iceland
5 nights accommodation in bunk style accommodation at the Midgard Base Camp (private rooms available on request)
Group arrival/departure transfers at set-times
All local transportation and transfers
Cultural sightseeing
All meals (except lunch and dinner on the Westman Islands)
Ferry boat rides to the Westman Islands
Exploration of the Valley of Thor, Hengill, Westman Islands, Fimmvörðuháls,and hot springs
Trails & Trees: with every booking, we plant a tree
EXCLUDES:
International flights
All Beverages and snacks
Personal equipment
Lunch and dinner on the Westman Islands
Personal bills
Travel Insurance (REQUIRED before the trips departure - for cancellation, accidents, health and emergency evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal effects)
Tips
Private transfers if arriving outside of the group transfer slots
Single Supplement (Private rooms available on request)
WHERE WE
STAY
MIDGARD BASE CAMP
Midgard Base Camp is an adventure lodge based in the South of Iceland. It’s run by a local family where the hotel is designed to be an extension of their own home.
The family vibe runs thick and Midgard is incredibly welcoming, with adventure flowing through its veins. Flanked by mountains and black sand beaches to the south, the lodge has a jacuzzi, sauna, and bar which we’ll be sure to enjoy after spectacular days on the trail.
FAQ
FLIGHTS
We specialise in arranging excellent trail running experiences but do not book international flights. There is a great variety of flights departing from all over the world to Reykjavík International Airport (REK) which transit via Lisbon.
We will discuss with you our trusted and recommended ways to book international flights through excellent ATOL-protected partners who offer great value, ease of service, and flight protection.
VISAS
British & American citizens do not need a visa to visit Iceland.
GROUP MANAGEMENT
Being a group of max. 12 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities we may decide to split into flexible groups, all of which will be supported by our running guides who will travel with us on the trip.
Splitting the group will allow us all to move more fluidly, allowing all team members to run at their own comfortable pace, without feeling pressured.
TRAIL RUNNING
Iceland is a trail runner's paradise, a quick search on the internet reveals a whole spectrum of wonder. Deep black sand beaches meet volcanic mountains, steaming hot springs, and icebergs on the horizon.
As you can imagine the terrain ranges drastically, but the good news is that all of the routes included on this journey are designed with runners in mind. Undulation? Yes. Rocky & sandy trails? You bet. Old fishing villages with meadow-like pathways? Absolutely.
We have a variety of days ranging from 10 - 20km each day, maybe a little more if we are feeling up to it. You’ll need to be prepared for these distances in mind.
TEMPERATURES
September welcomes the end of the high season where the usual tourist sites are crowd-free making it a perfect time of year to be in the country. Daytime temperatures average around 11 degrees C which makes it very comfortable for trail running. This being Iceland of course, we need to expect the unexpected as the seasons can change at any time of year with the potential for wind and rain to arrive.
READY TO
BOOK
NEWS FROM BASECAMP
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