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DISCOVER YOUR INNER VIKING GODDESS WHILE HIKING MINDFULLY THROUGH ICELAND'S SOUTHERN COAST AND HIGHLANDS, WITH LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS AND HOT SPRINGS.Modern interpretations of Norse mythology regard Valkyries as feminist symbols of power and strength. Portrayed as formidable female warriors who posses muscled bodies, strong wills and fierce independence, tales of the Valkyries in the Icelandic Sagas and other historic texts will inspire you to explore your inner Viking goddess.
At the Iceland Hiking with Viking Women Retreat, we do just that. Hiking mindfully through the Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Range of Iceland’s central highlands, you will revel in your daring for embarking on this Arctic adventure. Traversing a gentle trail across a treeless ridge of red-streaked volcanic rhyolite, each step you take makes a rhythmic “crunch” that encourages a steady pace.
Meandering along the mystical trail as it weaves around curling steam plumes, your Icelandic guides recount tales of ancient times when Valkyries displayed their exceptional strength, combat skills and fearlessness in the face of danger. By defying these gender stereotypes, Valkyries endure as symbols of empowerment for women seeking to break free from societal constraints.
Some might even say that the Valkyries deserve some credit for 21st-century Iceland being one of the planet’s most egalitarian societies. After all, Iceland elected the world’s first female president (Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who was head of state from 1980 to 1996), is where citizens enjoy one of the best parental leave policies anywhere in the world and whose government has a dedicated Ministry of Gender Equality.
Valkyries were also known for fiercely protecting their personal agency. They made their own choices and played a crucial role in determining the fate of fallen fellow warriors in battle. This agency reinforces the notion of women as self-reliant, assertive and capable of making decisions that shape their own lives that Icelanders embody today.
Inspired by these notions of feminine power, during the Iceland Hiking with Viking Women Retreat, you will spend time reflecting on which aspects of your life you find empowering, which you don’t and what you want to change. As your retreat leader guides you through this inner journey—as well as the outer journey through some of Iceland’s most scenic landscapes—you will hone the skill of discerning between what empowers you versus what disempowers you.
With each mindful hike through Iceland's varied landscape, where you'll see volcanos, mountains, waterfalls and steaming hot springs, this self-exploration inevitably leads to you to a place of clarity and calm, having untangled the things you can control and found peace with the things you can’t.
Each day you'll enjoy a vigorous and rewarding hike with our Icelandic guides, as well as plenty of free time for rest and reflection. While we're traveling as a group, you have the flexibility to social a little or a lot, depending on what you want to get from this experience.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Reykjavík, Iceland
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