Adventurous Hiking trails in Iceland: the Meradalir volcano hike

At the beginning of autumn 2022, I traveled to Iceland, one of the most exciting countries that has been on my bucket list for years. I am a real adventure seeker. After almost one year, the Meradalir volcano erupted on August 3rd, 2022. Visiting a volcano eruption area is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I went to the Meradalir eruption site on a guided tour. The tour guide shows a video of the volcano eruption in 2021; it is spectacular. The Meradalir volcano is located next to the Fagradalsfjall Volcano in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Although there has not been any visible activity from the volcano since August 21st, 2022, it is still worth a visit.

Background Information on Volcanoes

Before the Fagradalsfjall eruption in 2021, there has not been any volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in approximately 800 years. After the Fagradalsfjall eruption, a new fissure opened in the Meradalir Valley in 2022. In this area, fissure eruptions are common. Here, the American and Eurasian tectonic plates move apart. The lava flows out. This is the only place in the world to see the North Atlantic ridge on land.

Hike to Meradalir Volcano

The hike to the Meradalir volcano is a strenuous hike. Roundtrip, the hike is approximately 12 kilometers or 7.5 miles. It takes approximately 3 or 4 hours to complete the hike. The area is open to everyone; you can do the hike without a guide. But do not walk on the lava! Just follow the trail. The top layers of the lava can break easily and you can easily fall into a lava tube.

You have some amazing views of the lava fields. First, you follow the trail uphill to catch a great glimpse of the eruption site of 2021. Steam is rising from the lava fields. Arriving at the ‘ending’ point of the hiking trail, you have a nice view overlooking the Meradalir volcano eruption site.

Good to know

Note that the hiking trail could be closed due to unforeseen events, such as bad weather conditions or another eruption. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable. With a bit of luck, you do not have any rain. In Iceland, it rains 2 out of the 3 days. So pack rain clothes! Myself, I was very lucky. I had a perfect day to do this hike. Although it was cloudy, it was not raining. I did the hike at the end of September, and it was about 10C (or 50F). Also, dress warm! Do not forget to bring some snacks.

Other places of interest @ Reykjanes Peninsula

• Bridge between 2 continents;
• Gunnuhver Hot Springs;
• Krysuvik;
• Kleifarvatn lake;
• Reykjanesviti – the Reykjanes Peninsula lighthouse;
• Valahnúkamöl Cliffs;
• Blue Lagoon.
  

You can easily combine Blue Lagoon with the volcano hike. I did a guided tour including the volcano hike and Blue Lagoon. In the morning, I left Reykjavik on a mini-bus. In the morning, there’s the volcano hike. By the end of the afternoon, you will visit Blue Lagoon.

Fantastic hikes in Yosemite National Park from Glacier Point

Panorama Trail

A wonderful hike that must be on your bucket list when visiting Yosemite National Park is Panorama Trail. The trail is 13.5 km (8.5 miles) one-way taking you about 7 to 8 hours. The most popular option is to hike from Glacier Point down to the Yosemite Valley. Firstly, hiking downhill to the Valley is easier, and secondly, it is easier to arrange transportation. From mid-May through October, a hikers’ bus runs to Glacier Point. It costs $25 one-way. The bus departs at Yosemite Lodge. If you start the trail at Glacier Point, you have a great view over the Yosemite Valley. Here, you have some amazing photo opportunities!

The hiking trail continues to Illilouette Creek and Illilouette Fall that is about 3 km (1.86 miles) from Glacier Point, and then a moderately steep climb up to Panorama Point begins. From Panorama Point, you can follow the trail to Nevada Falls. There is a nice picnic area just above the Nevada Fall near Liberty Cap.

Part of the Panorama Trail is the Mist Trail. On this trail, you have a perfect view over Nevada Fall and Vernall Fall. The trail is a strenuous one and can be rocky on certain places. When descending the stair steps of the trail, it can be hard on your knees.

Overall, the mountain scenery is good whenever you plan to go. June is the best months to hike this trail. Temperatures are perfect for hiking. Also, the waterfalls are best in spring because the snow in higher elevations is melting. The waterfalls lose their volume in July and August. By July and August, the Yosemite Valley is filled with tourists, and temperatures are high. In September, the crowds thin out and temperatures drop.

Four-mile Trail

Another popular hiking trail from Glacier Point is Four-mile Trail. The hike is moderate to strenuous, and it connects two popular spots in Yosemite National Park, Glacier Point, and the Yosemite Valley. The trail is 15.5 km (9.6 miles) round-trip, and 7.7 km (4.8 miles) from the Valley to Glacier Point. It starts west of the Swinging Bridge recreation area at the Valley, and climbs to the South Valley Rim at Glacier Point. This trail has some remarkable landmarks to offer: Sentinel Rock, Moran Point, Union Point, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Merced River, Half Dome, and Tenaya Canyon.

It is recommended to start at Glacier Point when you do the one-way trip. Make sure that someone drops you off at this point, or you can take the hikers bus (it is not free). If you hike the round-trip, it will take you 6 to 8 hours. In summer, you can take the El Capitan shuttle bus to the Four-Mile Trailhead. The trail has some memorable views; however, it is less crowded than Panorama Trail and Mist Trail. During winter, the trial is closed due to snowfall. One of the places of interest on this trail is the Yosemite Falls. Because the snow starts to melt in spring, Yosemite Falls look best in May and June.

Pohono Trail

A really grueling and strenuous option with great natural landmarks and less crowds is Pohono Trail. Most people start the trail at Glacier Point and end at the Tunnel View. The trail is 21 km (13 miles) one-way taking about 10 hours. The hike takes you to sensational landmarks such as Inspiration Point, Stanford Point, Crocker Point, Dewey Point, Bridalveil Creek, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, and Wawona Tunnel. The trail between Tunnel view and Inspiration Point is rocky and uneven. So, watch your step.

Half Dome Trail

When you want something challenging, the Half Dome Trail is, without question, the perfect hike to do. Half Dome is a huge and iconic cliff in Yosemite, which is visible from many points in the National Park. It is a very strenuous hike, and 17 miles round-trip, that takes 12 to 14 hours for strong and experienced hikers to complete. You can decide to hike this trail in 2 days and stay overnight at Little Yosemite Valley Campground. The campsite is situated about halfway to the top. The best time to hike this trail is from June through early October when the climbing cables are in place.

Tips for hiking in Yosemite National Park

Before you start hiking, there are a few things to remember:
⦁ Respect all animals at a distance, and never approach or feed them. Animals that get human food may lose their fear of people and may become dangerous.
⦁ Also, take all trash with you.
⦁ When you see a mountain lion, do not crouch, or run away. In that case, shout, wave, and throw stones.
⦁ Always carry enough water and food because you use a lot of energy when hiking.
⦁ And for your own safety, stay on trial!