Iceland Forest Service Trailteams

What a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors, do some manual labour, learn new skills, and get to know an amazing group of people, plus you get that warm fuzzy-feeling of doing good in the world by maintaining trails for the benefit of nature and users. This trip will definitely stay with me as a highlight of my life. The photos don't do it justice but it is spectacular scenery accompanied by crisp fresh mountain air.The set up and group size work really well so that you get to know everyone really quickly.The main camp is quite civilised with showers, toilets, clothes washing area and even hot water! The tool talks are very good, in-detail, but concise. There are lots of walks that you can do independently on a weekend from base that vary in distance and time from 30 minutes to most of the day.

This program is one of the best volunteer programs I have been involved with. There are no program fees, you have a certain level of autonomy and you experience the amazing Icelandic scenery. I could go on but suffice to say that it was incredible and I would recommend it to anyone, as long as you are prepared to camp. Well done to all the team and thank you for creating such a great environment.

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.