Day 1 warm up trek in Thorsmork starting from Basar across the Krossa River via 2 mobile bridges. Go through the campsite at Skagfjordsskali onto the eastern slopes of Valahnukar a small hill that provides great views over the Krossa to the ice cap on the infamous volcano Eyfjallajokull and north to Markarfljot. Descent by the NW slopes and and up to the col above Skagfjordsskali to return to Basar via the bridges over the Krossa. Overnight at the hut at Basar.
Day 2 starts with a stroll trough birch and Alder woods (trees are rare in Iceland) until the start of the path up the Cats Spine Ridge (Kaltarhryggur). This narrow ridge is not technically difficult but some rocky steps and some significant exposure causes some nervousness for some folk and needs some spotting. The ridge ends with a short steep section protected by a cable. Soon after the ridge the ground becomes easier as it crosses the plateau of Morinshield. From the end of the plateau is a steep descent to a small col and then a tricky traverse over steep ground protected by some very dodgy chains (again some folk will need careful management at this point). A short sketchy and steep ascent leads to easier ground that climbs up to the snow fields and the twin craters of Modi and Magni, the site of the recent eruptions which caused so much havoc to air travel. The undulating ground alternates between snow fields and lava with the sea coming into view before reaching our hut at Baldvinsskali. Before we reached the hut it started snowing.
Day 3 and an easy days hike from the hut down a way marked route to Skogar. The views to the sea become clearer as we descend out of the cloud and overnight snow. As we descend the path follows the river and evermore spectacular waterfalls until we finally reach the masses of coach bound tourists at Skogar Foss.
