Backpacking Iceland – A Great Holiday
Iceland is a very unique place. It is located just south of the Arctic Circle. The beauty of Iceland is what draws people to it. There is a lot of culture to take in, as well, when visiting Iceland.
Every year, many people travel to Iceland for the sole reason of backpacking in Iceland. When you travel to go backpacking in Iceland, you might it very different than other places you have been before. There are not a lot of official trails to travel along. The Laugavegur is the longest trail in Iceland, stretching 46 miles. There are many small trails that are great if you are only going hiking for a day or tw. Even though there are not a lot of official trails, there are still loads trails that are informal, but can still be used – this can often be picked up from locals.
Backpacking along informal trails is different than using official trails. Many times people can be fearful of where the trails will lead them, or if they are about to end suddenly. There is a unique way to find out if the trails are passable.: If there are sheep tracks along the trails, then they are a safe path to take. It may take a while for you to trust this method, but trust me it works!
I found it interesting that trees are non-existent in Iceland. Due to the cold weather and strong winds, it makes it nearly impossible for trees to grow. This same cold weather is the reason that when backpacking in Iceland it is important to wear layers of clothing. The chilling weather is relentless as is the wind.
There are some hazards that will be encountered during a backpacking trip through Iceland. If you get near the ocean, there is a great chance that you will encounter some arctic terns. It is possible that they might dive down at your head. If you have trekking poles, you have all you need to protect yourself. Also, it is good to know that there are no mosquitoes in Iceland. but there are however a lot of gnats. On a warm day, these gnats can become very pesky but a headnet will keep them away.
When going on your trip to Iceland, you may be wondering where to visit. The Skaftafell National Park is a great place to begin or end your backpacking trip. Laki is another outstanding place, it has two craters from eruptions many years ago.
When embarking on a backpacking trip in Iceland, it is important to get holiday backpackers insurance. For a fee this protects you in case of accident during your hiking. It also protects any gear that may be damaged during the trip. It may seem expensive, but if you damage anything during your backpacking trip, you will be glad that you had your insurance.
Every year millions of people go backpacking all over Europe, but if you are looking for a truly unique and challenging backpacking experience, then Iceland is the destination of choice.
