Where We Be
The Skalli trail lets you explore a different part of
Landmannalaugar with equally unusual views
Skalli Hike -- Landmannalaugar, Iceland
We managed to fit in one more hike during our
time in Landmannalaugar with a
fun morning
tramp along Skalli trail (
pronounced SKAT-lee).
Once again, despite less than perfect weather,
the views continued to impress. The surreal
landscapes felt more like stylized paintings of
nature
rather than nature itself. No landscape
could be
this unusual, could it? We found it
help
ed to pose a person in the photos just to
demonstrate the scenery
was real.

We made it to the top of two peaks during our
morning hike, the first called Vorduhnukur and
the second Skalli itself. We only hiked as far as
the namesake peak before turning around, but
those with more time on their hands could do
the entire 15 km (9¼ mile) loop and no doubt
see even more outstanding scenery.

That afternoon we caught our Trex Bus back to
Reykjavik and arrived at City Hall about four
hours later. A 10-minute walk along Laugavegur
Street brought us to our Airbnb. Next morning
we walked 15 minutes to the BSI Bus Terminal
and made our way to the airport. It was time to
head home and catch our breath after a terrific,
exhilarating whirlwind of a trip.
Goodbye Iceland! For such a tiny island you're pretty damn amazing!
I've highlighted in solid yellow the Skalli route we took to the top and back. The dotted
yellow line indicates the rest of the Skalli hike if you were to make the full 15 km loop.
Start of the uphill climb -- the sign says "Skalli"
Brillian green "rivers" of moss descend the slopes
After a flat valley crossing,
the Skalli trail climbs steeply
Looking back the way we came after the initial climb