Eiríksjökull

From Húsafell drive past Kalmanstunga onto the Arnarvatnsheiði track and along the western foot of Strútur, with the lava and the Norðlingafljót on the left, to the car park near Surtshellir, where a small cold spring called Brunnar flows. Ordinary cars should go no further. Powerful 4x4s can follow a rough track on towards the mountain, out onto the Hallmundarhraun lava at Strútstagl (the north-west corner of Strútur), but it is very slow going over sharp lava ridges. On foot, allow about two hours from Brunnar to Torfabæli, about one hour of it across the lava; the eastern part is rougher, and it helps to climb a little way up Strútur first to pick the easiest line. Torfabæli, where the uppermost springs of the Hvítá emerge from the south slopes of the mountain, is a good place to camp. The best and most used line climbs to the rock step east of the deep gully cut into the south side of the mountain: steep but straightforward, with up to about 400 m of height gain on loose gravel over palagonite, and clear paths especially higher up. On the rim stands a large cairn with a visitors' book, the key landmark in mist. A walk across easy ground leads to the edge of the ice, which in 2008 lay at about 1,300 m; later in the summer it is further. The ice cap rises evenly and gently for some 700–800 m of height to a broad, flat dome; FÍ's description recommends skis with skins early in summer. Crevasses are unlikely on the direct line but possible elsewhere, so stay on course and carry glacier kit. Descend the same way to Torfabæli and back across the lava.