Here is a comprehensive list of the best hikes in Iceland for the avid adventurer and thrill seeker.
Iceland has some of the most extreme and varied temperate landscapes that will make visitors feel like they’re in another world. One of the best ways to enjoy this country is hiking on its terrains. There are options for both newbies and extreme adventurers.
Whether one wishes to have a gentle stroll amidst a rustic backdrop or navigate steep and dangerous terrains, Iceland‘s got a long list of destinations for you.
In this travel guide, we’ll show you some of the best hikes in Iceland. Depending on one’s pace, hiking can be completed within a day or less. But there are extreme options which can take almost a week. The trails themselves are worthy attractions, and expect to get lost in amazement upon reaching the trek’s highlights.
Here we go.
Top Best Hikes in Iceland for the Avid Adventurer & Thrill-Seeker
Mount Esja
Standing at 914 meters above sea level, Mount Esja is one of the most accessible day hikes in Iceland.
Visitors can easily reach it via public transportation from Reykjavik, making it an ideal spot for a quick stopover in Iceland.
While at the summit, visitors can catch sight of breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Reykjavik’s pleasant landscape.
Hiking can take more or less three hours, and the authorities characterize the assault as moderate. It offers one of the best Iceland trekking experiences.
Glymur Waterfall
Considered as the second-highest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur Falls has an astounding height of 198 meters. Hiking is the only option to reach it.
Visitors will have to navigate through a cave, cross two rivers, and trail along the edge of cliffs before finally catching sight of Glymur Waterfall. It cascades over a narrow canyon-like a long bridal gown surrounded by scenic rocks and formations.
After relishing the sights, visitors can either retrace their previous route or descend on the other side of the ravine to reach the jump-off point.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
For visitors looking for multiple hiking options in one setting, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the best option. It boasts of ridge-to-reef attractions, including stunning waterfalls, dramatic coastal cliffs, black sand beaches, and scenic mountain views.
Visitors can glimpse these while either on a road trip through Iceland or on a day trip from Reykjavik. The peninsula offers some of the most fascinating Iceland hiking trails.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar contains some of the best hikes in Iceland, and it is known for its breathtaking lava fields, geothermal hot springs, and colorful rhyolite mountains.
Visitors can select from multiple options: extreme day hikes where they can assault one or more mountains, slightly more challenging hikes on volcanic craters, and relatively easy walks through terrains of hardened lava.
To make the most out of your visit to Landmannalaugar, consider hiking the Blahnukur Brennisteinsalda Loop, which covers more than six miles. All in all, the said loop takes more or less six hours to complete.
Hvannadalshnukur
Considered as the highest peak in Iceland, Hvannadalshnukur stands at more than 2110 meters above sea level. It takes more or less 15 hours to reach the summit, and it is required to have a seasoned guide though no technical skills are required.
Those who attempt this long day hike would have to assault snow-covered trails with various crevasses. The best time to go is from April to July for the best weather conditions.
Fimmvorduhals Trail
The Fimmvorduhals Trail offers one of the most epic hikes in Iceland. It leads tourists into various attractions, including two glaciers, 26 waterfalls, one volcano, and three unique landscapes.
The jump-off point is at Skogafoss waterfall, where visitors will then follow the Skoga River upstream. The initial trek offers breathtaking views of the surrounding verdant landscapes. Following these are the stunning glaciers of Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull.
Considered one of the youngest landscapes on the planet, the trails here consist of fresh, black, and volcanic soils. The end of the hike features lime green mosses dominating the landscape, projecting one of the most impressive sights in Iceland.
Skogafoss Waterfall Trail
The Skogafoss Waterfall Trail offers an ideal alternative for those who want to hike part of the Fimmvorduhals Trail without the lengthy logistics and distance. It is one of the most underrated hikes in Iceland.
The Skogafoss Waterfall is the start of the trek, and visitors will navigate through the Skoga River upstream.
Again, they will glimpse of green landscapes with beautiful rock formations. As they continue, they will see 25 more waterfalls, glacier-capped volcanoes, and dramatic canyons. All in all, the trail takes four to six hours to complete.
Dettifoss and Selfoss
Two of the most famous waterfalls to visit in Iceland are Dettifoss and Selfoss. Dettifoss is one of Europe‘s most powerful cascades, and one could feel the ground literally shaking when standing close to it.
Selfoss features a more elegant and smaller cascade, which lies at the upper course of the river feeding Dettifoss Waterfall.
Visitors can access both waterfalls from either the east or west side of the mighty river. The west side is more convenient for tourists because it has the necessary equipment and amenities.
The east side, on the other hand, presents a more challenging hiking experience, but it offers better views of the surrounding landscapes.
Kerlingarfjoll
One of Iceland’s best photography and hiking destinations is Kerlingarfjoll, a mountain range tucked in Iceland’s central region. Part of this majestic range is Hveradalir, a geothermal landscape that features rainbow-colored hot springs, steaming vents, and boiling mud.
The roads leading to the best viewpoint are gravelly and rugged, so it takes a well-conditioned 4×4 to reach it.
Iceland Glacier Hike
Hiking in Iceland would not be complete without assaulting some of its iconic glaciers. Learn how to climb ice; walk on the crunchy, blue ice; explore ice caves, and navigate mystic crevasses.
While there are more strenuous hikes, there are also destinations fit for short and easy walks. Visitors need a seasoned guide to take them to the glaciers.
So those are just some of the best hikes in Iceland adventure-seekers should try. Not only will they satisfy their wanderlust but also gain a deeper understanding of how geology formed the magnificent landscapes of Iceland.