Hiking Trails and Glaciers

  Iceland

Skaftafell

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Various dates June - August 2008

Description: Living and working in the heart of Iceland's stunning National Parks you'll amaze yourself with your own achievements. BTCV's holidays in Iceland are the ultimate adventurous conservation experience!

Who we're working with

Iceland Conservation Holidays are run in partnership with the Icelandic Environment Agency , Umhverfistofnun (UST). The Agency operates under the Ministry of Environment and one of their key responsibilities is the management and protection of the countrys national parks and conservation areas. Iceland Conservation Holidays are managed by USTs own team of local staff and international volunteer leaders.

For 30 years, BTCV volunteers have played an important role in this work. Volunteer teams work closely with local staff on a variety of practical management tasks, focussing on trail building and wilderness management projects. We stay in tents and live and work in these amazing areas throughout the summer months. The countrys harsh natural environment and unpredictable weather make BTCVs projects in Iceland both an adventure and a challenge.

Where we're working

Skaftafell National Park in southeast Iceland has been described as a green oasis surrounded by a landscape of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and vast black sand plains. This amazing scenery makes it one of the most beautiful and most visited places in the country. The area has been included in the new Vatnajökull National Park, which has recently been established and is the largest National Park in Europe.

What we'll be doing

This summer we will be working a variety of hiking trail construction and maintenance projects throughout the Skaftafell area. Our work may include building stone drains, resurfacing paths with gravel and the construction of timber bridges and boardwalks. We'll be focussing on repair work to a popular woodland trail overlooking the Skaftafell Glacier.
No previous experience of this work is necessary as training will be provided by experienced leaders.

The working day normally runs from 09:00 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee. However, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Icelands changeable weather.

Benefits of our work

Now one of the coolest holiday destinations in Europe, Iceland is receiving ever increasing numbers of visitors. As tourism grow, the pressure on Icelands fragile natural ecology increases. The challenge is to protect both vegetation and geological formations from damage and this is done through the construction and maintenance of hiking trail networks.
Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors.

Where we'll be staying

In Skaftafell, we will be staying at the volunteer base-camp alongside other UST volunteers working in the park. At the base-camp we have a fully equipped hut where we prepare meals and relax in the evenings. The campsite has hot showers, laundry facilities and a small gift shop. You'll need a sturdy tent but if you would like to hire one from BTCV!

Highlights: Throughout the project there will be plenty of opportunities to explore Skaftafell and the surrounding areas. There will be visits to Jökulsarlón, a glacial lagoon full of icebergs and Ingólshöfði, an island known for its variety of birdlife. There will also be opportunities to take part in organised glacial walks!

On the return journey to Reykjavik we will visit Icelands highland wilderness in an overnight trip to Landmannalaugar famous for its hot pools and brightly coloured geological formations. There will be a chance to explore the area and we will stay overnight in a mountain hut at Landmannalaugar.

Cost in US$: Approx $720 (350 GBP)

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

BTCV's Mission Statement: BTCV is the UK's largest practical conservation organization. It is a charity which involves over 130,000 people every year in projects to bring about positive environmental change. When BTCV was first established, over 40 years ago, most projects took place in the countryside and on nature reserves. The emphasis was on nature reserves. The emphasis was on improving rural landscapes and protecting habitats for wildlife. However it is not just; Countryside Landscape Wildlife But also Providing opportunities to volunteer Improving towns and cities Building communities Developing skills Helping people into work BTCV's remit has broadened considerably over the last four decades. We have evolved to meet the needs of an ever changing world. As far as conservation work is concerned, BTCV now offers volunteering opportunities in urban as well as rural locations, thus improving our towns and cities as well as the countryside. But beyond this, we also; give support to local groups train people in conservation and life skills run schemes - and take part in government initiatives - to help people secure employment.

Year Founded: 1959