Trails near Hekla Volcano & Mýrdalsjökull glacier

WORK/PROJECT: In this project SEEDS volunteers will be mostly doing environmental construction and repair work in hiking trails and walking paths in the southernmost municipality of Iceland, based in Vík í Mýrdal.

The main tasks will be to mark and repair hiking trails or walking paths around the town and in the mountains in the surrounding areas. SEEDS volunteers will help prepare different locations for the summer ahead.

Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors. No previous experience of this work is necessary. 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 Iceland's changeable weather.

Additional tasks may be cleaning and beautifying the area, like hand-picking garbage or collecting trash that has been blown by the wind or brought by the sea to the shores and surrounding areas.

The work can be physically demanding and might require a good physical condition.  As it is outdoors work, volunteers shall be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned.

Volunteers need to be prepared for working and walking in a wild landscape and sometimes cold weather. Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and bring warm winter clothes as the tasks take place outside and it can get cold. Bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking shoes/boots, a good sleeping bag and gloves.

Volunteers might be asked to do other related tasks and some flexibility is required depending on the advance of the different tasks, weather conditions and current needs.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local house in the town of Vík. Volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The house is equipped with a kitchen. Volunteers will share the duties of preparing food, cooking meals and cleaning. There is no shower in the house, but we will have free access to showers in the local swimming pool.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food or drinks from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The project takes place in the south of Iceland in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and glaciers to the north and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Vík is Iceland's most southerly village.  

Mýrdalur is bordered by the glacial river Jökulsá to the west and the river Blautakvísl to the east. Its northern border is the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which caps the volcanic Mt. Katla, while its southern limits are the black sand beaches and the rolling Atlantic waves.  The natural beauty of the area is spectacular. Just east of the village's outskirts lies one of Europe's biggest arctic tern breeding grounds. South of Vík is a beautiful beach which has its very own charm with the black sand and a dramatic coastline. A short hike within the close vicinity is sure to satisfy serious nature lovers & bird watchers. Vík and its surroundings is one of the main bird life areas in Iceland.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL & TRANSPORT: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps & back. Apart from being cheap and convenient, it allows participants to meet and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites. Departure will be at 9:00 am of June 5.  We return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon of June 19.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 80 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

The participation fee does not include the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back but we estimate the costs about EUR 45 each way, stopping at stunning waterfalls and black sand beaches on the way.

The participation fee includes a glacier walk tour on Sólheimajökull glacier and a ride on a zip-line in Vík, worth around EUR 200 with regular tour operators. We have access to the local swimming pool, sauna and hot tubs.

Age: 18+