We didn’t choose the best day to start the trail. It was Friday, 29th June 2018, the beginning of a long weekend thanks to Canada Day, by far the most popular camping weekend in Canada. But, we didn’t have much choice since we had been offered a ride to China beach on that day from Victoria and didn’t want to lose the opportunity.
The Juan de Fuca (JDF) trail is one of 3 classic, long coastal trails on Vancouver Island (the others being the West Coast Trail and the North Coast Trail). Unlike the other 2 trails, neither campsites or transport need to be booked in advance on the JDF. Furthermore, from what I’ve heard, all 3 hikes offer similar experience. So, for me the JDF was number 1 on my list for hiking on Vancouver Island.
Easy trail along an astonishing canyon and its side gorges. Well marked with water in the beginning and the end
Relatively easy, well marked trail along the left side of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Drinking water is at the Dettifoss campsite (for hikers only!) and then plenty in Hólmatungur
Easy, yet still unmarked trail over moor dunes and tussocks. There is a drinking water at Dettifoss campsite
The stage is unmarked, tiring and the most challenging of the whole hike as you walk almost exclusively on soft scree. Drinking water is available by the lake Eilífsvötn.
The stage is very well marked with fast changing landscape ranging from rough volcanic fields to grassy flat stretches. There is no water along the way or in Krafla.
This is a beautiful 5 day hike going through pure Icelandic wilderness but also through one of the busiest places of the country…
We started our hike (n. 41 on this map) by the supermarket in Seyðisfjörður where we had to buy one more block of chocolate, just to make sure there was no chance of suffering from chocolate deficiency along the trail…
The Eastern Fjords in Iceland are my favorite part of the country for hiking. The weather there is mild and often warmer than around Reykjavík, it’s nicely green and the landscape is so diverse that you feel like you hike by the speed of light…