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The Great Norse Run

Ten days of nomadic fun across Iceland

Nick Carter's Wild Weekends

Overview

Halló there! Welcome to The Great Norse Run, a team adventure like no other. Widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice”, Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. We’re going to be passing over these whilst waving goodbye to stress with a ten-day, 209 mile trip of a lifetime.

Enroute you’ll veer wildly towards volcanoes, stare longingly at Game of Thrones scenery and — with a couple dozen new friends —slowly clap your hands overhead in true Skol war-cry style. You'll indulge in hot spring parties and ice-cold beers, pumping music and majestic silence, and eye-poppingly stunning scenery to create unforgettable moments.

This is absolutely not a race; we will have a couple of groups—one walking/jogging then another a little speedier. 25 miles a day seems a long way, but as a tribe, we can all make it.

Expect new friendships, stunning cliff-edge views, heart-pumping climbs, and hearty meals around a campfire in the middle of nowhere. Top it off with restful nights looking out at the stars and maybe even the magnificent aurora borealis!

This is your time. Your adventure. See you on the lava fields.

Hosts

Danny Bent

Danny's passion in life is to bring people together to show what's possible through teamwork and positivity. He's pogoed across Togo, cycled to India, run across North America and survived the BBC TV show "Ultimate Hell Week".

Nick Carter

Nick has climbed Everest, swum the English Channel and crossed Iceland unsupported. His passion is to organise adventures that stretch people beyond their comfort zones and prove what's possible with a bit of grit and determination.

Schedule

Day One
Prepare

After you arrive in Reykjavik, you can grab a burger at the Big Lebowski burger bar, then team coach up to Akureyri (expedition start). You could also arrive before the 21st and have a look around. Reykjavik is an amazing place.

Day Two
Start

You'll take a ceremonial toe-dip in northern Icelandic waters, then start your official Great Norse Run. Spend the night on an Icelandic horse farm, just before the start of the interior Desert section.

Day Three
Rise

Today will be a tough day, rising slowly (then less slowly) to the Desert plateau. Spend the night at a mountain hut with natural hot springs.

Day Four
Spring

Enjoy a morning dip in the natural hot springs, take in the very stark wilderness views, with the tongue of the Hofsjokull glacier just visible in the distance. Very wild camping in the evening.

Day Five
Fire and Ice

Today is all about fire and ice, running between two huge icecaps—very peaceful, very surreal. Watch out for the active volcano to your left!

Day Six
Desert End

Today is your last day in the Desert—prepare to see the colour green again. River crossings will be challenging today, expect to get very wet.

Day Seven
Game of Thrones

You'll enter the national park and witness the Game of Thrones scenery at every turn—black mountains that look like frozen water, and impossibly shaped rock formations.

Day Eight
Rainbow Ground

Just when the national park couldn't get any better, the ground changes into a rainbow. Amazing soil colours and lichen so thick you can use it as a trampoline.

Day Nine
Geothermal Rivers

Rest in the geothermally heated river, explore the rainbow hills, walk under a waterfall, have a shower, sit in an old converted bus that's now a cafe - or do absolutely nothing.

Day Ten
Wild Again

More wild camping, in very wild places. We've seen the aurora each time we've been here. Yes, it really is that good.

Day Eleven
Celebration

Just one more (small) icecap to run past, then land's end and the chance to throw yourself into the southern seas. The Great Norse Run comes to an official close, celebrated with tea and medals. Bus back to Reykjavik, team party, and flights home (the next day).

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Gallery

FAQ

Most of the team will jog a bit and walk a bit. It's not about who gets there first (we don't even keep track), it's about the whole team getting across Iceland. Last time there was a group of three who walked the whole thing.

Yes! Contact Nick Carter on +447944913245 or nick@runwild.global

Yes! That's how we normally do it. You can choose to spread the cost evenly (monthly or weekly until the expedition due date), or you can just put down a 10% deposit, then pay in any way you like, over a time scale that suits you.

Yes, of course! Please enter your details and click "Get Expedition Info" in the "Find Out More" section and you will get full date and pricing information sent to you, and you can download the full info pack. The dates and prices change slightly each year.

You can find a documentary created by To The Wild about our 2019 event (featured on Adventure+, Red Bull, Runner's World) by clicking here. And you can see another brilliant documentary by Opal Films about our 2021 expedition by clicking here

More than one person could sign up, so you can do the event with friends, but most people enter as solo runners (there's normally a 60/40 female/male split) and then make life-long, like-minded friends on the journey.