Hengill volcano is very popular
hiking area only a short drive from Reykjavík. The area offers
scenic views, amazing hot springs, craters, lush vegetation, rivers
and lakes. There are about 125 km of well marked
hiking trails at Hengill. It is higly recommended to buy a
map
published by Orkuveita Reykjavíkur to fully explore this exciting
area.
Hengill is an active volcano, mostly of tuff but partly of grey
basalt and liparite as well. There have been three eruptions at
Hengill since tha last ice age - 10,000 years ago, 5,800 and
the most recent 2,000 years ago. It is one of the largest high
temperature geothermal areas in Iceland. No matter where you look,
columns of steam rise high into the air, and boiling hot springs
abound. This geothermal energy is harnessed providing heating water
and to generate electricity. Both geothermal power plants in this
area, Hellisheiði on the south slopes and Nesjavellir on the north
side, have visitors centres.
The cache is hidden at the highest
summit called Skeggi or Vörðu-Skeggi.
You can choose from a few marked trails to access the top and the
hike there and back usually takes from 4 to 6 hours.
Good hiking boots, water, snack,
raingear, map and a compass are essential.
I do not recommend climbing Hengill mountain during snow season
unless you are equiped by crampons, ice axe and have some winter
mountain experience. However the cache will be very diffucult to
retrieve in snow and ice.
Please, keep in mind that the
Icelandic nature is very fragile and that the weather can change
within minutes.