My Gear, Travel Tips, and Everything I Would Change Traveling to Iceland and Hiking The Laugavegur

[@Sonjelisa]

I live in Iceland but I have never walk the Laugavegur trail, but I have hiked Fimmvörðuháls. What I want to add to your information in the video is that the Icelandic tap water is in same or better quality than that one you got in bottle in other countries. That is why it is so difficult to get a bottled water in Iceland. The second thing I want to mention is that in the two shopping malls, Kringlan and Smáralind, there are telephone stores which are open on sundays, so you don´t have to drive all the way to Keflavík (airport) to get a sim card. It was a very detailed and a good video, I like your hiking videos and all the good information you give in them.

[@MaylesTrails]

Great summary. I did the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails a few weeks ago. Fantastic experience. A few things that I'd like to add, that others might find useful: - I went early September. It's possible to do the trails, up until mid September. Camping and huts are open until the second week of September (weather permitting). Buses will also run to and from the trail until the same time. Check the exact dates in advance, because once everything shuts down, it's not possible to do the trails. - I had great weather for the majority of my time on trail. However, whichever month you go, the weather is very unpredictable, and highly changeable. To plan for this, I had a 10 day stay in Iceland. Then I chose to do the trails in the 4 day window, that had the best weather forecast, within those 10 days. I just planned my sightseeing around those dates, once I knew what the weather would be like. There's no real need to book buses etc. more than a few days in advance. - I agree on using trail runners. That's what I used, and they were ideal. I also had a pair of lightweight water shoes. I'd highly recommend this option, as 2 of the river crossings were thigh height (I'm 6'0"), cold water, and very rocky river beds. - I spent 3 days on the Laugavegur, and did the Fimmvörðuháls in a day (camping 3 nights total). That felt right to me. But you can take more, or less time to suit your comfort level. - There's only 1 Staeto bus per day, from Skogar (4:25pm on weekdays, and 3:07pm on weekends). So check the timetable in advance. Once you get into the main bus terminal in Reykjavik, you can use the same ticket (that you got in Skogar) to take any other bus, within Reykjavík. Buses take cash only in Reykjavik, and do not give change, so be prepared for that (490 ISK at time of writing). - As Dixie said, go to Everest in Reykjavik for stove fuel, and other last minute items. They have 100g Primus fuel canisters, that work with Jetboils. Much cheaper and easier than relying on the Mountain Mall in Landmannalaugar. - There are a lot of luggage lockers in downtown Reykjavík. These are great for storing things that you don't need on trail. Most of them are in public parking garages. - Lastly, do this trip if you get the opportunity! It's amazing. Such an incredible and unique trail!

[@Quaaludio]

Thanks for this info. I'm going next year and I'll add your info to my current list.

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

Great info there on top of Dixie's video. I'm heading over in July. Knowing where to get fuel is great (although debating going stoveless for just three nights and maybe treat myself to dinner one night in the restaurant). I've been struggling to find info on the Straeto bus as the Excursion bus leaves so early and wastes a day with nothing to do in the layover town for four hours...and still gets you in at the same time as the 51. Gives me time to explore a bit more of Skogar and find the other waterfall there.

[@MaylesTrails]

@@WilderhopeAdventures The other waterfall in Skogar (Kvernufoss) is well worth a visit. The trail starts behind the museum (also a good activity to kill time, before the bus!). There's a really good fish and chip van (Mia's) in Skogar, if you need something for lunch. I hope you have a great trip! It's an amazing trail.

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

@@MaylesTrails Thanks. May as well make use of that odd day rather than being on the bus for 2+2 hours with nothing to do at the layover spot. Would you recommend an overnight on the Fimm Trail and then hitting the hidden waterfall or doing the whole section and then doing the hike to Kvernufoss the following day after camping in Skogar?

[@MaylesTrails]

@@WilderhopeAdventures I did the Fimmvörðuháls in one day. But I didn't get to Skogar before the bus left. So I stayed there overnight and did Kvernufoss and the museum the next day. A lot of people do the Fimmvörðuháls in 2 days instead though. It just depends on what works for you. It was definitely the most challenging day of the 4 that I spent on trail. About 17 miles (including distance from the campsite at Þórsmörk to the start of the trail) and 4,000+ feet elevation gain, in bad weather. As well as being the most challenging day of the 4, it was also the best day for scenery

[@kdavis4910]

Congratulations on surpassing 400,000 subs Dixie. That's a really big deal.

[@forced4ph]

The HW logo on the rock face was a nice touch.

[@turragorman59]

This is a bucket list. Thanks Dixie for great information. Probably the most beautiful hike you ever been on.

[@TRIChuckles]

I absolutely agree! But anytime in nature I'm jealous I'm not out there too, at the moment.

[@jimhenderson387]

I'm pretty sure I will never go hiking in Iceland, but I love listening to you talk about it!

[@robertrockwell7581]

loved this hike Dixie. Iceland was Gorgeous.

[@TRIChuckles]

You do such a good job. If anyone has ever found " there calling " it's you. You are very relatable, Intelligent about your subjects. It certainly makes me jealous, I travel for a living but nothing like you. Thanks!😊

[@jeminigemi]

It's been a few years since I've been to Iceland (car camped the ring road), but I recall you could pick up half used gas canisters at the Reykjavik camp site for free. So many campers buying cans, using for a few days and ditching the cans (since it's sketchy to fly with em) that I seem to recall people leaving them in the "free stuff" area at the camp. Also other left over knick knacks that people might not need after their hike. I would recommend that camp site in general since its basically an outdoor hostel. A good place to meet people or find hiking partners. You might be able to meet up with a car camper or other hiker in order to bum a ride to a hiking location.

[@musingwithreba9667]

Thank you for the great detail breakdown for this trip. It's certainly a bucket list trip for sure! I think I need a bigger bucket 🤣

[@kdavis4910]

@andrew taylor why not?

[@DonnaWinter]

Hi Dixie! Great video! Iceland is so unique. If it is helpful, I was in Iceland last summer wanted to let people know that I have AT&T got their same type of $10US per day plan you had with your carrier. I had great cell service and was able to make calls. (Also worked in England, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.)

[@forestplanemountain]

Had the same experience in Iceland, Sweden, England and France with AT&T

[@jutubetub4384]

Everytime you mention metric numbers like gram or kilometer, or that as EU people we don’t have to worry about cell service, I am so happy you are making this channel. I feel like you really doing this for all people! I hope for some more content on sustainability. The topic of poopkits is quite popular but long lasting grear and the negative effects on nature of pfc or permethrin is often overlooked. Kind regards

[@thomasblankenhorn2370]

I'm still in love with the Hobbit cabin at 8:30!

[@jesper509]

That's the sauna.

[@mnnofziger]

I've been to Iceland twice. Two very different trips. The first we went around the whole island in a rental car staying at local farms/air bnb's and the second time we got a campervan and hiked the active volcano. Our next trip will be for this hike! Loved your video!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Dixie you are amazing ... don't really know why but got a chuckle when the camera toppled ...01:15 ... enjoy your videography , showing a good reference of your trek .... love your descriptions language ,, "buttcrack of dawn" .. I can't imagine what your bucket list must hold ... good for you on following your dreams ....

[@lovelyplugg]

I am born and raised in iceland. Have hiked the Laugavegur with a guide and a driver that drove our stuff. There is not alot of lighting or thunder and I have only experienced it about 4 times in my life but I live in the north and it happends more in the south I have heard. And 3/4 of my times it was in the south. I really reccomend sleeping in the huts during the Laugavegur trail and rather reccomand having a Bivy for shelter if it makes you comfortable to have that kind of thing.

[@lovelyplugg]

And also. You dont have to take a waterfilter with you. All the water here in the streams and lakes are perfecly fine. And good. Hardly anyone here owns that. I would reccomend for someone who is doing this alone for the first time. To stay in Landmannalaugar for one night and enjoy the natural pool there the first evening and then go the day after to hike the trail. But no in July it would be colder than in august. 🤷‍♀️

[@erichaineault5789]

There is the Dalur Hostel next to Reykjavik Campsite/ pick up location for Reykjavik Adventure or Trex to go toLanmannalaugar. They even have luggage lockers.

[@neologian1783]

We've done Iceland's ring road by camper van (Cozy Campers....highly recommended) several times but we are planning another 2-3 week trip to Iceland in 2024. We have been planning to begin the trip by giving week #1 to this through hike. I've been looking at quite a few video overviews of this trek and have to say yours is FAR AND AWAY the most comprehensive and informative (no surprise given the quality of your other content.) Thanks for such a great overview and comprehensive review all in one.

[@sallyschmitz8048]

My family and I did this trip in 2018 and made use of the campground in Reykjavik - it was nice with full bathrooms and a community kitchen

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Nice! Thanks for the info

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

What is the name of it? I'm going to need a night in a campground before my early-morning flight

[@sallyschmitz8048]

Reykjavik campsite. Hope this reaches you in time!

[@janebrummett8014]

We just returned from our Icelandic trip Monday. The South side of the island was my favorite and the Blue Lagoon was amazing!

[@thorvaldurthorsson5652]

Another thing about water from streems here in Iceland. You can get water anywhere without any filtering devices. I have hiked here in Iceland for 30 years and have never at any time used filters to clean the water. The funny thing is that Giardia does not exist here. I have never gotten sick from drinking water and neither have my friends.

[@raeperonneau4941]

This was awesome. Thank you, Dixie!

[@FishMH]

Outstanding video !!! Your choices of destinations, trails and challenges are amazing. You opened up a whole new world for many, sharing joyous discoveries, revelations from the land of Fire and Ice Thanks

[@itsallcool564]

Absolutely brilliant, in-depth guide . Thank you so much .

[@johnchristopher3955]

Thanks for this, I am off to do the trail next and you give some top tips👍

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Nice! Thank you for the information. Definitely a bucket list trip.

[@amandant]

Dear, really appreciate the metrics system.. you got international fans too like me! I love watching your video

[@beckergretchenm]

Thanks, Dixie! I was on trail Aug 16-19 (so close!) and I chose to do the hut options the entire trail. If anyone in the comments is curious about the huts, feel free to ask!

[@kdavis4910]

@andrew taylor are you trolling people?

[@jeffML3926]

Excellent breakdown!! I will keep coming back to this as I plan my trip this summer :)

[@IntriguedLioness]

I work in tourism management and over a decade ago I was on a site visit when the airlines were opening up huge tourism boom for Iceland. I love the hikes I love the topography and enjoyed everything about my trip. I then had to write up a huge prospectus. Your 44 minutes to covered nearly everything!! _However... I cringed every time you referred to the weather as miserable or horrible._ I currently live in Seattle so obviously I love cold blustery mountains etcetera... the beauty of Iceland this is not some boring beach with blue skies. The blustery weather is half the magic! But you're Southern so I'm assuming you get cold when it's below 70 degrees Fahrenheit?! That being said, I couldn't stress more the need for many many layers, and windbreakers. Everything down to the undies I took with me was wool and also brought arm shields, gators for my trail runners Etc. Wind will definitely cut into you when you're hiking and even though I use synthetic often, in this weather... Only wool will do! Cheers!

[@AndrewWisler]

I hiked this 7 years ago - the trail is fantastic and I enjoyed the chance to see some of the backcountry away from the ring road, it’s like an alien planet. Your advice is spot on!

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Typical Dixie awesomeness. Even though the probability of me hiking in Iceland is small I could not help but go trough the 45 min vlog in one, er..., go. Exhaustive, informative, thoughtful overall, with generous sprinklings of Iceland's beautiful primordial nature. Thanks J & A (did they offer you to try the famous fermented shark dish, Hákarl? I would run away screaming 😅)

[@kurofune.uragabay]

🤔Slow progress... Timing? thumbnail? (small-minded provincialism?). Veritassium: /watch?v=S2xHZPH5Sng

[@duaneschultz9230]

Thanks for the video Dixie. It looks really pretty over there. I hope you are having a great day. God bless you and your family. Duane.

[@stanbyme7874]

Thank you!

[@semperfi7318]

Great video, as usual! The one item I'm most curious about you didn't mention - your impressions regarding the Atom backpack from the U.K. I'm looking forward to your review, and to other fantastic videos. Iceland's always been on my bucket list along with Ireland. One day perhaps.

[@Lennen-N-Motion]

Very well done video. I feel like the video is a guide book in itself. Iceland is on my "before I kick the bucket list" and watching your videos have really made the decision to go much much easier. Thanks again for all the incredibly laid out information and the wonderful 4k land/aerial video.

[@forestplanemountain]

If there’s a bunch of you and you rent a car then if anyone has a Costco membership you can load up on food at the Costco on the way into Reykjavik from the airport. We happened to see it out of the car window when we arrived, piled in there and bought enough snacks for lunch for our week long trip.

[@soffiath]

I'm from Iceland and I've definitely experienced thunder and lightning over here but they are very rare. Also, I hike a lot in Iceland and I never carry a water filter, not really needed. Totally understand if you'd want to though.

[@davidbuben3262]

Nice to finally hear all of that. I lived in Alaska for 22 years, and we don't get much lightning there either. Also, I drank water directly from streams, thousands of times, never used a filter, never got sick. So did everyone I was with. We did strain and boil the water while mountain goat hunting, as the only water available was in pools with mosquito larvae. It was always a eight hour death march, just to get up to where the goats were.

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

Just like Scandinavia, water is just safe to drink :-) I'll be leaving my filter at home for this trip...one less thing to carry.

[@scottplumer3668]

I'm planning a backpacking trip to Scotland, and this was really helpful!

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

Similar weather...it's what I'm basing my gear list on for Iceland

[@tommyclarke2007]

Good report - grounded and practical 👍

[@Henning_Rech]

18:40 they sell potable water to everyone at the Fimmvörðuskáli (hut) but as you say one should not rely on this service. 21:07 this is the normal traffic light behaviour in many parts of the world. The idea behind it is that you have time to operate the clutch and stick shift before start-up on a manual-transmission car. 22:50 I had booked my bus tickets separately, no hiker pass. But also ran into the problem of a fully booked bus to Landmannalaugar on my desired date, when I tried to book the day before, while this was at much lower than usual visitor numbers in 2021 (you know why ;). So I took the RE bus to Skogarfoss, which does not have the long stopover at a gas station this direction, and hiked northbound. Which I can recommend. - You can also buy tickets directly at the bus, from the driver, as long as there are vacancies - so you may hope for no-shows if the bus is fully booked. 27:05 Additional hint: if you buy something in Iceland (I had to replace a broken camera lens) you can get the VAT (25% !) reimbursed on export. There is such a service at the airport, too, you just have to fill a form and give them the receipt (and show the item, so have it in your cabin luggage). It worked, minus their service charge I got about 15% back. 27:55 there is a big hostel directly at the campsite, so same bus pickup from there.

[@wilkemariechen]

Really cool to see you walk these and talk about them in detail. I did the Fimmförðuháls twice and once the Laugavegur, both from South to North - loved it this way as you're not waiting behind people but just passing them. Also, starting at the coast with the awesome waterfalls and walking between the glaciers into volcano-country, you get to end at the hot-pots which by then feel more than deserved :) I liked not reserving huts but camping and being able to react to the weather, like we did the whole of F in one day as there was too much wind and sleat to camp up there, and the last two days, too, we did in one go in order not to be up there in really bad conditions. That worked really well for us. From Landmannalaugar, we did get a ride back from Landmannalaugar easily as there are usually many weekend campers and hikers who take their giant 4w-drives into the mountains. Been in Iceland for a few years and have never had thunder and lightning - I think you need warm and cold air masses clashing, and we don't get much of the warm? The campsite in Reykjavík has a great, big inside common room to cook, and a lot of people leave camping gas, dry food etc. they don't need anymore there, a good first stop before a trail if you're on a budget. Otherwise, most petrol stations have camping gas if you're already out of town.

[@missmarymack797]

dark, broody (but sans-fireworks) skies are common in the north american PNW as well -- we just lack the humid breezes needed to whip up electrical storms. dark skies would almost never be cause for alarm here in Oregon. as a native Midwesterner, i sure do miss lightening and thunder but glad you weren't troubled by any electrical storms in Iceland, especially with so much exposure. thanks for the rundown -- hope to visit iceland someday and hope to follow at least some of your footsteps!

[@CampfireJubilee]

This trail would totally work with my schedule too! I'm always up way past hiker midnight on the AT...

[@Henning_Rech]

Hi Lea - we all seem to be night owls 😀

[@sshanep]

What a wonderful video. So much useful information and so thorough. Thank you!

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thank you, Dixie. This would be a dream trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing all the videos of your trip and this summary. 👍🏔

[@thizizliz]

So marvelous! I'm really happy for you. You made an investment in a fabulous trip but also bought the memory of a lifetime. AWESOME!!

[@woodyshepherd6904]

Rad looking trip! thanks for all the details! Roll Tide!

[@andyhill1114]

Hey Dixie. Me & my wife love your videos. We both was hikers but my wife lost her ability to walk so now all she likes to watch is hiking. Just commenting about that time u was on a mountain & your hair started to stand straight out. They warn to never climb high during days thunderstorms are forcasted. For both day hiking & thru hiking, we see people on KZbin who start their hike at 3 or 4 in the morning in order to avoid being on a mountain during a thunderstorm. Me and my wife don't want to see anything happen to you. I have been studying weather for over 20 years. Simply too much to explain here but it's simply not worth your life, going up high with lightning in the area. Take care & we love what u do. Keep hiking

[@mariarichardson8574]

Thanks for all the great info! I am headed their in a few weeks and have a question... Did you see many folks in bivy sacks vs tents for the ease of not dealing with the wind, I am considering sleeping out but most all videos I have seen do not mention or talk about this option, everyone is in a tent. I will bring my tent but just have that curiosity, did you see anyone sleeping out? Any information on this anyone can provide will be extremely helpful. Love all your tips.

[@thorvaldurthorsson5652]

Hi dixie! I am from Iceland and have hiked this trail many times. About the lighnings they are very rare in Iceland. To have a lighning strike you over here in Iceland is extremely rare. So in general you never have to worry about lightnings over here.

[@aw12ko26]

Hey Thorvaldur, may I ask you, what kind of tent you take with you, when you go hiking and camping in Iceland?

[@thorvaldurthorsson5652]

@@aw12ko26 I myself use Zpack but only during the summer. Most of my friends use Hilleberg or Big Agnes

[@aw12ko26]

Thank you. We have two Hillebergs, and even the older one (KeronGT ~1992) never failed. But now we are looking for a tent for hiking in thorsmörk, where we camped at Basar this year, 🤩 and Laugavegur...

[@willek1335]

Very cool video. I hope to see more hikes abroad because it's educational to try new things.

[@minniehaha3974]

Thanks for the info Dixie!! Iceland is definitely on my bucket list 😊

[@OneWeekGetAway]

Great video!

[@chrisformyduval893]

Verizon did connect for me, travel pass activated. Just did it one day to make sure it worked if needed.Not sure why it didn’t connect for you. Maybe data roaming wasn’t turned on. For a much more economical option I did use a data only eSim thru Airalo. You can and should setup before you travel. No need to remove and keep track of orig SIM card, nothing to do to get back normal operation once you return. It will activate once you’re in country ,may have to reboot. Big thing is to turn off Verizon line while on or before flight to avoid unwanted travel pass charges. There are some others things you can to to make sure you still get non iPhone text messages, make calls from Verizon line while on Wi-Fi only etc but that’s an extended topic. Overall very happy with using eSim.

[@mikewypasek8855]

This is a fantastic, informative and wonderful video. Thank you so much!!

[@shawndyer8140]

Another awesomy video. Thank you Dixie.

[@grevedanko]

Thanks for all the great info! You really make it so much easier to get out there! Love from Sweden

[@OutHereOnTheFlats]

very helpful - thank you.

[@paulsmart5199]

Great to watch your hike and check out the gear. Keep those footsteps in the dirt

[@jobethk588]

Great video.

[@sterndrives]

Excellent video!

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

Heading over in early-mid July for 8 days (nice short flights from the UK). My costs are a lot lower as only renting a car for three days, using the hostels for two nights (before and after the Laugavegar and Fimmvorduhal Trails) and campgrounds for the rest. The one question I have is regarding what process you went through for getting permits to fly the drone...I'm searched it a bit but not really sure of the process; the NPs I get in requesting a permit but not sure about needing permission on the two trails as well as the other 114 "protected" areas that need special permission. I was debating about Sky Lagoon but I think I've decided to go for it...I hate being cold too so not sure about the 7-step ritual.

[@swedishhiker]

Omg this place looked amazing!

[@TheePIB]

Nothing to do with the hike-which looks absolutely stunning-but the traffic lights 😂 When I was stationed in Germany, in the late '80s, their traffic signals worked exactly the same way (and might even yet, I haven't been there in a long, long time). From the red light, the amber light also illuminates before both red and amber terminate and green illuminates. And, just like it seems to be in Iceland, once the amber light illuminates, it's permitted to enter the intersection *if* it is safe to do so. It's basically a yield signal that precedes the "go" 😃

[@wandaesch7314]

A great Hostel in Reykjavik is B47, if possible precook online and it runs about $40/night but when booking with short notices that fee almost doubles. The in town camping site does work great for a quick reservation, yes the bus to trailhead stops right outside the campground gates, the washrooms and showers are clean and warm but be prepared for a noisy night of sleeping.

[@hillshepardson9537]

Dixie is the Best..Keep up the great informative video’s..Thanks

[@smuir6104]

Amazing! Now the patagonia in Argentina. I went to Tierra Del Fuego, at it is almost unworldly. So pretty!!!! I didn't get to hike much while I lived there, working all the time, but if I ever get to go again I won't make that mistake. Also a city called Esquel would be incredible, then there is San Carlos de Bariloche, and San Martin de los Andes! Any one of those would blow your mind, but if you could link a couple, you won't regret it!

[@lissam8988]

I'm not a professional hiker. However, I have gone hiking for 12 hours round trip both in Colorado and Washington State. Also, to give you an idea of my level of hiking experience in Colorado, I hiked both Twin sisters and Estes cone. Wanted to find out if in Iceland along those trails are there guided tours I'm not sure if I would want to be by myself it would be more enjoyable with others however the majority of people I know would not be able to do any hiking. Used to go hiking with my husband we are divorced now and I'm looking to still go hiking in different areas but I would like to find a woman's group or just a group I would probably prefer a smaller group so I wouldn't keep everyone waiting on me. Thank you to anyone who may have suggestions. ❤

[@daniellec5771]

You can also go in September - the huts open until mid September. I was in the beginning of September this year and we had great weather.

[@hoser7706]

I am surprised more ppl don’t use tengui towels on trail. Notch up from a bandanna.

[@SirPrancelot1]

Great information Dixie. Thanks.

[@bradmorrey1251]

Another option is to rent a camper van and bring backpacking food. You don't have to worry about lodging or transportation and it's a great way to see the ring road

[@hikerJohn]

Lightning happens most in the tropics. Arctic and antarctic get the least (almost none). The middle of the oceans don't get as much either. Central Africa, South America are the hottest spot (monsoons) followed by the Mid West and Southern USA (hurricanes and tornadoes) It's the HEAT that does it by creating strong convection.

[@davidbuben3262]

Yep. Oklahoma thunderstorms do get insanely out of control. Sometimes constant sheet and bolt lightning, and rolling thunder. Right in the middle of tornado alley. As foolish teenagers, we would drive to a high point to watch the show. Watching it would take your breath away.

[@hikerJohn]

Pretty cool

[@AMCD18]

Very good! thank you for sharing so much information!

[@josephclark7243]

The Durston Mid-X Pro would've served you well on such a journey. DD Cult for life!

[@PhillipChangMD]

Thank you. I really enjoyed your video. My question is did the Hutts also rent sleeping bags or was it just the tents.

[@Brendanno100]

Your info vids are so helpful, 👍

[@djbreakfast]

When I was in Scotland for a year I never saw a single thunderstorm. I don’t think it gets warm enough to make that kind of weather!

[@davidbuben3262]

I'm probably wrong about this, but we assume that we don't get much lightning in Alaska either. However, I was a very athletic and adventurous lad, and I would quite often run to the top of a very accessible mountain near Anchorage. Sometimes it was completely socked in with clouds. And believe it or not, quite often there would be a kind of lightning all around me. Not actual lightning strikes, just glowing flashes in the fog, no loud boom, but rather a crackling sound. When I got home and inquired if anyone saw lightning, nobody did. So I think there is lightning of sorts.

[@Fjallkloka_Aventyr]

0:14 nice wall

[@CCB249]

Fabulous review! Now I want to go to Iceland. Thank you! I have heard rental cars are an outrageous expense in Iceland.

[@suzannehedderly1331]

I burst out laughing when the pic of the Scribbled-Out Guy came up. 😂 There are just no words to express how stunning the scenery is. I thought the cost was pretty reasonable. Less than I thought. Really great video. (Thanks Aaron--great job.)

[@Henning_Rech]

As she mentioned, the car rental was the main expense. I hiked the same trail (plus a third) last year at about 1/3 of the cost. Obviously my flight from Germany was cheaper because only half the distance so the comparision is not fair. With no car I missed the full volcano activity, the bus tour I took arrived at the wrong time (it erupted only intermittently then, had stopped 2 h before).

[@suzannehedderly1331]

@@Henning_Rech I'm sorry you missed the eruption but you got to see that beautiful scenery.

[@walterlangston4484]

one of my friends just got back from Iceland

[@LMay64]

Wonderful information! Thanks!

[@terryburrow6129]

Hey Dixie: Sounds like you are in love with Iceland. Another movie you might like to check out is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Not only is it a great movie, but it was shot primarily in Iceland. Another thing you might want to look into on you next trip is instead of renting a car, rent a camper van. It's been a few years since I was there, but they give you great flexibility, allow you to cook all your own meals, and you can sleep in it too! Every little town has a campground or two so you can pretty much go at your own pace without worrying about getting to the next place on a certain day.

[@itsmeLori]

Thank you for making such a helpful video! Do you know if it’s possible to rent cars from places other than the airport?

[@angelasgreenarts9124]

The 7 step ritual sounds amazing.

[@samgoeshiking]

Man I want to do this hike.

[@paulrevere2379]

What is the declination there? As soon as you mentioned whiteout risk, that was my first thought. An app might not save a person in such conditions where a compass can if a hiker has good situational awareness and even better would be a map. I taught Marine Corps lieutenants how to navigate in the dark. Doing it in a white out should involve the same principles to succeed, but trying to do it without accounting for declination would be a really bad idea.

[@Henning_Rech]

Declination is around -12°. A GPS based app works fine. Believe me, I was there at such whiteout conditions, last summer, where you couldn't see anymore the next trail mark from the last one.

[@paulrevere2379]

@@Henning_Rech Thx and good to hear that you were fine. Not everyone has steady hands to not drop their phone in such conditions however. Nevertheless, a Garmin type ruggedized GPS receiver on a lanyard should work well.

[@arnthorla]

Lightning is actually very rare in Iceland. I think it has to do with the lack of hot air. I believe that lightning forms when hot and cold air meet and the hot air goes up and the cold air sinks, which builds up the electric charge resulting in lightning.

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

To add to what Dixie said about rain gear and a baselayer. If you get to Iceland, stay in town long enough to pick up an Icelandic wool sweater. You will need nothing else under your rain gear if you do. It is some of the warmest clothing you will ever wear. Ditto on getting a beanie as well. And to her point about temps, even in summer, you're above the Arctic Circle, so the temps you can expect are not going to get out of the upper 50s unless a heat wave comes thru, in which case you can expect 60s. And that's during the day. I'm sure the Icelanders in the comments can either confirm or correct me if needed. 🙂

[@MimMim0741]

very good video

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

WHY would anyone skip ahead of ANY of your videos????

[@lilianm7151]

Thanks for the breakdown. For sure on my list. When will we get a review of the Atoms Pack?

[@jfrosty42]

How has The Mo been working for you? Been anticipating a review video!

[@danos5181]

How crowded is Lagavegure and the F trail? I personally don't like to walk in trails that I feel see constant people traffic, but can live with seeing maybe 10 people per day on trail. Are there other trails you recommend in Iceland that are just as nice but no so touristy/commercial?

[@kennogawa6638]

Do you always pack a swimsuit? This trip is the first time I can recall seeing you in one and Iceland is cold.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Nope, it was just for the thermal areas. In warmer weather, I’d be hiking in shorts and would get in with my shorts and sports bra. I wouldn’t worry about those things being wet and having to dry out. In cold temps, I don’t wanna wet any of my clothes

[@davidcarothers3311]

Great Video, Honey!!

[@donnakebab9055]

Make sure you go to the Blue Lagoon in daylight hours. I went there in winter and although I enjoyed the experience, however, having couples engaging in intimate adult activities made the visit less enjoyable.

[@montyollie]

The flight was one thousand but the rental car was $1500? WOW. That's one expensive rental car!!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Right?!