Hello,
We are planning a 10 day trip starting mid June and heavy on camping. I heard a rumor that you cannot light a campfire anywhere in Iceland, that it is camp stoves only - is that true? If it is possible, do the camp sites include firewood?
Also, is it easy to find camping supplies (ie tent, foam pad for sleeping) for rent or to buy once there, or should we bring our own?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!! :)
No open fire except special places.
At some places you can find a grill but you'll have to get either wood or coal for that (both sold at gas stations).
I would rather bring Coleman or comparable stove and get fuel here
http://www.rusring.net/island/2010/05/how-to-cook-coleman/
Tents can be rented at some campsites. And of course you can buy everything here. If you are not that "pro" traveler who uses "high end" gear only - then Rumfatalagerinn is your place
http://www.rumfatalagerinn.is/rl/vefverslun/?product_category_id=91691
Næsta síða means "next page".
I assume that with the rate for excess baggage it would be cheaper to buy it here.
one thing you can often get at gas stations that is extremely popular here is the one-way grill. They're an aluminum pan with coals and a grill on top. You light the paper over the coals and if/when you're lucky, it ignites the coals and you've got cooking time for 2 people.
they're convenient because they're not expensive and you don't have to haul a lot of extra equipment around.
if you choose to use these though, 2 words of advice:
1) you will want to have your own bottle of lighter fluid since the paper often doesn't ignite sufficiently.
2) at all costs, avoid the brand that says "handy, rapid, and sure" on the side. This brand is none of those things and you'll end up going hungry if you have no lighter fluid.
Firewood is "extremely" limited in Iceland (to say the least...;-) You will find charcoal in most places (or those disposable grills as posted above), use any kind of canister gas/meths/pressurised stove you wish.
I would bring the camping gear in stead of buying it here in Iceland. It takes time of your 10 day trip to buy these things and it is probably cheaper where you live, even if you go to Rumfatalagerinn store :)
You are probably allowed 20 kg each on the plane right? And you are 2 p travelling together=40 kg. A tent should not weigh more than 10 kg, foam mattress is very light, and sleeping bag should not weigh more than 2 kg.
Make sure you buy a rainproof tent (two-layers), it will rain!
Maybe you can sell the gear in Iceland at the end of your trip, e.g. on this forum or ask someone at an information center to help you.