The Best Hiking Trails In Iceland

With over half of the country made up of hills and mountains, Iceland is made for trekking. Throw in glaciers, geysers, hot springs and waterfalls, and you know you need to add it to your list, if it isn’t already on it. From challenging to more easy-going outings, read on for an insider’s guide to the best walking routes.

Laugavegur

This is a beautiful route… IF you go to the right place! Recently a tourist, who had booked a hotel in Laugavegur shopping street in Reykjavik, mistakenly put the Laugavegur trail into Google Maps before driving from the airport and ended up on the other site of the country! It offers astounding scenery such as over Landmannalaugar, Thorsmork Valley and Lake Alftavatn. This trek starts at the geothermal paradise, Landmannalaugar, where you can take a dive in a hot spring before the long walk. From there you make your way up the highlands, where you see waterfalls, glaciers, black sands, more hot springs, geysers and volcanoes.

Fimmvorduhals

Hornstrandir

The Westfjords are often considered some of the island’s most stunning places. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve was established in 1975, but through the ages both nature and human life have been closely interwoven, as inhabitants have based their livelihood on the sea and bird cliffs. There are over 260 flower species growing in Hornstrandir so you can only begin to imagine its natural beauty.

Esja

If you don’t have much time to spare, this is the perfect opportunity to take a hike up Mount Esja, which is located only a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik. This hike is very popular among those living in the capital, especially during the summertime. Here you can choose to hike for only a couple of hours and walk up to the ‘big stone’ as Icelanders refer to it and have amazing views of the capital.

Glymur waterfall and Mount Hvalfell

The walk up to Glymur waterfall is easily worth it and gives you a view of Iceland’s highest waterfall. The beautiful walk takes you through Thvottahellir, which is a breathtaking cave that inhabitants once used to hang their laundry when it was raining. Thvottavellir means ‘laundry cave’. The walk takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours and is located in Hvalfjordur.

Short walk to the hot river in Reykjadalur

Reykjadalur is close to Reykjavik, just outside of Hveragerdi. There you can hike for a couple of hours up the valley until you reach the hot spring river. Now finally, you can reward yourself with a unique Icelandic bath and wash the dirt of the day off you.

Seljavallalaug – sightseeing hike with a hot spring

If you want to get a bit further from Reykjavik, this might be the walk for you. It allows you to combine sightseeing with a dip in one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland. The Seljavallalaug is located near Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and is reached after a nice 30-minute walk up the mountain.

Beautiful walk up to Seljavallalaug pool

Tindfjöll Circle

The Tindfjöll is a challenging hike with rough terrain but it rewards you with the best viewing points in Thorsmork. This walk starts from the hut in Langidalur and ascends from there to Tindfjöll. Most of the way is fairly accessible, with well-marked trails. The hills below the mountain are steep, so you have to traverse the side with great caution – i.e. don’t get too carried away with the view, as you really do have to watch your step.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.