Program Reviews

This programme gives you an unique chanche to visit an extraordinary land, secretive and astounding as Iceland is.Chas coordinates the volunteers in an excellent way, and you always feel welcome and taken into consideration. If you like spending time in the nature, adventure, international environment, hands-on conservation issues, Thorsmork is the place to be during the next summer. Do not hesitate, you will make loads of friends, discovering astonishing landscapes all around the work area, learn languages (also English people can make it :D) and enjoy life in a tent! Except of the persons, what I did like most has been the possibility to see the immediate and concrete results of our work as a team and the endless days, with the sky getting pinkish in some "evenings" and arctic foxes roaming around! You will be completely amazed by this country, its culture and your job location :D ! Highly recommended for everyone!

As a team leader for 7 weeks during summer 2014 I can only say that this experience is beyond words. Living and working surrounded by an astonishing scenery, meeting great people and learning more than ever are priceless. Camping life starts with breakfast and a little gathering to know and choose in what activity you would like to participate for the day. Then you crack on with it till dinner time with the corresponding breaks at midday and lunch. Once back to the camping site you'd have time for shower, resting, cooking,....till dinner is ready. After, chatting, reading, playing guitar, etc, is all welcome, but remember to respect neighbors! ;) Weekends are all for you ideally for hiking and knowing the glaciers, 2012 Eyjafjallajokull new lava and beyond. Weather wouldn't be an issue if you get the idea that you'd be living close to the Artic Circle and get well prepare for it. Wollen clothes and extra socks would be your besties. Although very demanding some times, this project is for those who love to be in the wild, feel it, respect it and be part of it. Iceland as a whole is unique and is waiting for you.

Volunteering on the trails of Thorsmork is an experience that gave me great joy, and filled me with incredible images, experiences and good friends. It offers the opportunity to do something useful for this remote land, and to highly enjoy it at the same time. The respect towards the volunteers is really great from the organising team, and especially from Chas, zho is the soul of the whole programme and a great guy and friend.I will definitely return, this time though with adequate equipment for the cold nights...

I joined the programme for two weeks during the summer of 2014 and found it a fantastic experience. The tasks involved doing hands-on practical work to help maintain the hiking trails in the surrounding area, such as building steps and doing stone pitching - interesting to learn how to do and a great test for the muscles! There were quite a few volunteers present on the programme at a time, but we split into smaller groups which made it really easy to get to know people and everyone was really lovely and positive. The base camp is situated in a beautiful valley with plenty of pretty walks that can be done on the weekends, such as a trek up to the lava field made by the 2010 eruption. A good tent and warm sleeping bag is needed (I went at the end of August when there were a few frosty mornings), but the camp has both a marquee and hut which can be used by volunteers for socializing in the warmth, and also warm showers and a proper toilet block. The local people are very welcoming and show clear gratitude for the work being done. There was food aplenty, with volunteers taking it in turns to cook the main meals and lots of biscuits provided for the day. All in all, a very fulfilling experience and very well organised!

The program has evolved with time and I have been a happy volunteer already twice in a period of 4 years.
The beauty of the landscape and support of the staff is not the main benefits, it is the fulfillment to wake up facing a mighty glacier and shake off the cold with a warm drink surrounded by happy and helpful volunteers. You will be given all you need in terms of tools, equipment, great food and safety.
Be prepare for unsteady climatic conditions, it is Iceland after all. It is a tough program especially when it is freezing cold and rainy, the volunteers make the experience fantastic and you will definitely want to come back. Work will vary from carpentry and cleaning to a bit of engineering and a lot of heavy weight lifting, if you want to sweat and build up some muscle, this is it!

As a returning volunteer I can wholeheartedly recommend the programme to anyone that loves the great outdoors, meeting great like-minded people from all over and does not mind 2 to 6 weeks of dirty finger nails! Thórsmörk is a beautiful, rugged place with lots of hiking opportunities and places to explore.

I had an absolutely amazing time as a trail volunteer in the summer of 2014, i felt very much part of the conservation programs and while i the work was at times quite challenging, i felt a great sense of contribution to the project, feeling very satisfied as each day ended with yet more progress achieved! My volunteering was also very much appreciated and i felt very valued by means of the generous treatment from Chas and the forestry team in terms of keeping and food. The social scene was amazing, weekends were kept for exploring and recuperating before another conservation fueled week at work. There is so much to around the Thorsmork area that you volunteer. Also long distance work is a must, as the trip there and back involves crossing Icey streams and you have to take your walking boots off too! Anyone reading this and considering volunteering must take the leap, you will not regret it! Just make sure you pack that extra jumper!!!

I had an amazing time on this trip! You have breakfast together in the morning, split up into groups and go off for the day to do trail work. The work is varied and includes widening & graveling paths, erosion work, building drains, building and installing steps and bridges, carrying out GPS work and lopping overgrown branches of trees. The work is physically demanding and involves hiking to get to the sites but it is so rewarding as you can see the difference you're making and the view whilst you work is spectacular. Everyone is so friendly and it's like living in a community as everyone takes it in turns to cook meals, clean up and wash dishes. On the weekends you are free to do what you like and I went off to explore the many hiking trails. I made so many friends and enjoyed it so much that I want to go back again next year!

Volunteers´ camp is basic but comfortable enough, improving every year. Life is in tents, which provides privacy and freedom. The place is stunning, surrounded by glaciers and one of the greenest areas in Iceland, to my knowledge. Work is rewarding, as it´s turning out long-lasting and useful for the paths, that have high circulation in summer, with hikers doing the famous hike Laugavegur. Work doesn´t require skills or previous knowledge, as it´s explained and supervised by the coordinator and there´re also team leaders on the site. You just need to love being in nature and getting away from the city, traffic jams and crowds for some time. Don´t expect a lot of electricity on the site, just enough to charge devices from time to time. You´ll eventually love this. It´s really worth living this experience, besides it´s free. You´ll be fed and won´t have to pay the campsite fee. Be ready to work in teams and give a hand in different tasks around the campsite. It´s phisically demanding, so exercise before you go, there´s lots of hiking.Useful items in my opinion are ears plugs and eye mask to sleep well, and a sturdy tent and winter sleeping bag. I enjoyed it a lot, and I went back!

Stunning place,people,community run by people who really do give a damn. Wish I could return this year, maybe next. Make a difference and make friends.Sometimes challenging - always worthwhile. Years of experience and local contacts make this the best volunteer programme in Iceland.