The Icelandic Lava Trek is truly a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, boasting some of Europe’s most dramatic and varied terrain. We’ve pulled together an essential guide to help you get the best out of your challenge experience, including super-helpful top tips from team Charity Challenge…
What is the Icelandic Lava Trek?
Host to some of Europe’s most incredible wilderness, this Icelandic itinerary takes in thundering waterfalls, steaming lava fields, plunging fjords and spouting geysers. Graded as ‘Tough’ this demanding challenge tests your abilities as you trek around 60kms over 3 days, through one of the planet’s most volcanic regions.
Highlights include:
- Weave through vast steaming lava fields and walk against a background of multi-coloured rocks.
- Camp in some of Europe’s most spectacular and unusual terrain.
- Bathe aching limbs in the Sky Lagoon at the end of your challenge.
What will I achieve?
This short yet intense challenge has you trek over varied challenging terrain, in an extremely unpredictable climate – testing both your physical and mental endurance.
- Trekking approximately 60km in total over 3 days, with the longest day covering 24km.
- Trekking for 7-10 hours a day, whilst battling the erratic weather conditions and varied terrains of Iceland.
- Taking on steep hill climbs, snowy and muddy surfaces, rough roads, dirt tracks, glacier river crossings and rugged lava fields.
- Setting up your own tent each night after a long days walk – and working as a team to keep camp clean and organised.
- To top it all off, you will be tackling this in aid of a charity of your choice – making each step and summit all the more worth it.
I’m thinking of booking, what do I need to know?
For a quick overview of what to expect from this challenge, we’ve pulled together some need-to-know essentials below – including some top tips straight from our experienced team! For further information please visit our Icelandic Lava Trek webpage, which covers all information and details thoroughly.
1. Plan your days
The days can be very long and strenuous, so be prepared and plan ahead – especially for the evenings and mornings. Bring a nice supply of snacks and treats to keep you energised and to keep morale up when you’re flagging at the day’s end. Remember, that at the end of every day, you need to put your own tent up. We recommend that you do it as soon as you get into camp, as you can get very tired once you have a hot drink and some food in your belly!
Top Tips:
- I put together bags of cashew nuts and raisins before I leave the UK, and a supply of Twix bars – just because I love them! – Simon Albert, Charity Challenge Co-founder and Director
- After you’ve set your tent up at camp, get your clothes and day bag ready for the next day, including filling up your water bottle or bladders. This gives you a chance to keep your mornings free to pack up your tent, enjoy your breakfast, make your lunch and have a final faff before the day of trekking ahead. – Jenn Payne, Head of Sales and Marketing.
2. Pack for varied terrain
On this amazing challenge, you will trek through a variety of terrains and landscapes – from snow fields, dirt tracks, glacier river crossings, lava fields to steep hills. Consider this when packing – and make sure to consult your Kit List for more detail.
Top Tips:
- Wear stretchy bottoms that you can roll up above your knees for the river crossings so they don’t get wet. The river crossings can get splashy! – Laura Harris, UK Operations Manager
- Walking poles can protect your knees on the ascents and descents, support you when you get tired, plus help keep your balance as you walk through river crossings and the snow. – Jenn Payne, Head of Sales and Marketing
3. The little details
To make your experience as unforgettable as possible, we have some extra handy insights for you below. These come straight from our Charity Challenge team members who have completed this challenge before – and wish to pass on all the best wisdoms to you!
Top Tips:
- For a comfortable night’s sleep, remember to kick the stones out from under your tent before you put it up. Then, as soon as your tents are up, collect your hot shower tokens. The campsite receptions generally close by 9pm (sometimes sooner – they work to their own times!) and only a few hardy people like a cold shower. – Laura Harris, UK Operations Manager
- Make sure you have plenty of space on your camera or phone for photos. Iceland is truly spectacular! – Laura Harris, UK Operations Manager
- You can also keep your camera/phone in your sleeping bag at night, to help preserve the battery. – Team Charity Challenge
- And finally… don’t forget to look up! Iceland is one of the most amazing landscapes in the world. You will feel like you have stepped into a geography book. It is an adventure you will never forget… – Jenn Payne, Head of Sales and Marketing
To conclude…start prepping!
If you are now seriously considering taking on the Icelandic Lava Trek, we strongly recommend heading over to our website to read through our full Itinerary, Costs, Kit List and extensive Essential Information tabs. Our blog also hosts a wealth of resources to help prepare you for your fundraising challenge.
You’ll find everything you need to know here in detail, from timings, locations, accommodation, food and drink, difficulty level breakdowns, training advice, group safety, equipment and much, much more (including answers to those all-important ‘what if?’ questions).
Why should I book the Icelandic Lava Trek with Charity Challenge?
Over the years Charity Challenge has built up a wealth of experience that has enabled us to create the best Icelandic Lava Trek itinerary that is geared towards providing everyone with the very best experience and opportunity to complete the challenge safely, whilst taking in some awe-inspiring landscapes.
Since 1999, we have specialised in operating challenges for charity fundraisers. We partner with 1000’s of UK and Irish charities already – and our team is happy to reach out to a charity of your choice to make your dream fundraising challenge happen. (Or, if you don’t fancy fundraising, the good news is you can simply self-fund and join us anyway!).
- You will be briefed, led and fully supported throughout this challenge by our highly experienced, knowledgeable and motivating Leaders.
- On your final day, enjoy a well-deserved bathe in the other-worldly geo-thermal pool, Sky Lagoon.
- Experience the challenge of trekking Iceland’s impressive terrain, whilst taking in the beauty of it’s natural features. Whether you join solo or with friends – the majesty experienced on this itinerary will bond you together as a group!
Remember, the Icelandic Lava Trek is a graded as a ‘tough’ trek. With the right preparation, this unique expedition is incredibly rewarding and impressive to complete – making it an excellent choice for a overseas charity challenge!
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