In a country with such incredible scenery and majestic views, it’s not surprising to learn that hiking is a much-loved pastime. In Iceland, hiking can be done by big and small, no matter their skill or experience level. There truly are Iceland hikes for everybody.
In this hiking guide to Iceland, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about this hobby on the island. From what to wear when hiking in Iceland to the best hikes near Reykjavik and helpful tips that you might need along the way. So, without further ado, let’s jump in.
When is the Best Time in Iceland to go Hiking?
As with most places in the world, it’s the summer months (June to August) that take preference when it comes to hiking. This is because of the weather and the increased daylight hours.
The weather in summer is much less extreme than in other months. There is no snow, no ice, no Icelandic winds that will blow you away and rainfall is at a minimum.
This does not mean that you should be expecting a Miami, Florida type of summer - it will still be overcast at least 60% of the time. But although this might not make for the best beach holiday, it certainly is a huge benefit when it comes to hiking.
Temperatures range between 5-25 degrees Celsius, which ensures a fairly comfortable hike that’s, in the infamous words of Goldilocks, not too hot or too cold.
The increased daylight hours also make it possible to take on some of the longer Iceland trekking routes more easily. In the height of the summer, you can experience 20-22 hours of daylight each day with the sun never actually completely setting.
Time-wise it’s always a good idea to start your hike early in the morning before the day properly heats up and so you can have enough time if anything should go wrong along the way.
What to Wear When Hiking in Iceland
It can be tricky to pack for physical activity such as hiking in a country called Iceland. So we’ve created this handy packing list for you to use as a guide:
Thermal underwear
Woolen/Fleece thermal mid-layer
Warm hat (beanies always work well)
Hiking pants
Waterproof pants
Waterproof jacket
Warm gloves
Sunglasses
Thick woolen socks
Waterproof hiking boots
What to Pack for Iceland Backpacking Trails
It’s one thing to figure out what to wear on your outdoor adventure, but it’s quite another to decide what to pack in that backpack of yours. Even though an Iceland day hike backpack will differ slightly from a multi-day trek backpack, this packing list should give you a good idea as to what to consider:
A raincoat
An extra pair of socks
An extra pair of underwear
Sandals for wading
Bathing suit & quick drying towel (if hiking to or along a hot spring)
A water bottle filled with water (you’ll also be able to fill this up again along the way)
Snacks such as energy bars, trail mix, biscuits, nuts, instant coffee, etc.
Multi-day Add-ons
A few extra pieces of clothing
A backpacking tent
A portable mattress
Sleeping bag
Inflatable pillow
A thermos flask
Camping stove and pot
Camping cutlery
Enough food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the number of days you’ll be hiking
Best Treks in Iceland
There is no shortage of hiking trails in Iceland and if you’re planning on walking Iceland or power walking some of the longer Iceland hiking trails, there are a multitude to pick and choose from.
And as a bonus, most don’t just reward in spectacular scenery and magnificent views, they also offer amazing waterfalls along the way, volcanoes, and much, much more. For us to tell you where you can do some of the best hiking in Iceland, we first need to distinguish between one-day hike outings and multi-day treks.
Best Day Hikes in Iceland
All the hikes you’ll find below are those that come highly recommended for hikers who would like to do hikes as a day outing:
Mount Esja
Distance: 7 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This is one of the most popular hiking trails near Reykjavik. This is also one of the trails that you can use public transport to get to. Mount Esja is a 914-meter high climb, but once you’ve reached the top you’ll discover why so many want to do it.
It offers breathtaking views over the capital city and the Atlantic Ocean. Mount Esja is also one of those rare Iceland hiking trails that are open throughout the year, but we would definitely not recommend it after a snowfall.
Glymur Waterfall
Distance: 7.1 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Glymur Waterfall is the second tallest waterfall in Iceland, clocking in at a staggering 198 meters. It is also one of the waterfalls on the island that can only be reached via a hiking trail. What makes this one of Iceland’s favorite hiking trails is the fact that it offers all sorts of memorable experiences along the way.
You will walk through a cave and will also need to do two river crossings. But this is also where we need to place a disclaimer; it’s not a good idea to tackle this trail with any snowfall or when the log for the first river crossing is not in place.
The Glymur Waterfall hike is a unique experience all throughout and ends with the waterfall itself and amazing views over Iceland.
Snaefellsjökull in the Snaefellsness National Park
Distance: 14 km
Duration: 7-10 hours
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Have you ever hiked up to the top of a glacier-tipped volcano in the center of a famous National Park? Well, with this trail you can tick that one off the to-do list. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime hike experience.
Hvannadalshnukur
Distance: 24 km
Duration: 12-15 hours
Difficulty Level: Strenuous & Challenging
This trail will allow you to hike the highest peak on the hiking trails of Iceland map. At a mind-blowing 2110 meters, Havnnadalshnukur is officially the highest point on the island.
You don’t need to be a pro to take on this trail, but since a lot of this hike will inevitably have snow due to the altitude and the trail has many crevasses, we highly recommend that you book a spot on one of the Iceland hiking tours led by an experienced guide.
Due to the time it takes to reach the summit and get back down, it’s also recommended that you only attempt this trail during the summer months of April to July with the increased daylight hours.
Fimmvörduhals
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 8-10 hours
Difficulty Level: Strenuous & Challenging
This one’s for those eager beavers who simply can’t wait to pack in as much of the Icelandic landscape as possible – all in one go. The trail has 26 waterfalls, 2 glaciers, 1 volcano, and 3 different landscapes all on-route, and makes for a pretty epic hike. Even though this is a challenging hike it’s worth every little meltdown along the way.
Best Multi-day Hikes in Iceland
All the hikes you’ll find below are those that come highly recommended for hikers who would like to do multi-day hiking treks:
The Laugavegur Trail
Distance: 55 km
Duration: 3-4 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
This trek really brings you the very best of the Highlands: glistening glaciers, spectacular mountainsides, beautiful valleys, and volcanic landscapes. On this trail, you don’t have to be left out in the cold and can sleep over in huts along the way. But if you’re deadest on a camping experience, you have that option as well.
Viknaslodir Trail
Distance: 80 km
Duration: 3 days
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Probably the biggest challenge you have with this route is time. Since there are only 2 sets of camping huts on this trail, you don’t really have much of an option to finish it in 3 days. Many will tell you that this is one of the most beautiful places to hike in Iceland.
Viknaslodir is not a set trail with a beginning and end, but rather an entire network of trails that offer visitors different routes to take such as Borgafjördur Eystri and Seydisfjördur (on which we’ve based our distance, duration, and difficulty level stats above).
On the trail, you can look forward to some ruins, waterfalls, and amazing views over the Atlantic Ocean. It is also believed that East Iceland has the best weather compared to the rest of the country, so you can test that theory out for yourself.
Hornstrandir (Hesteyri-Hornvik-Hælavikurbjarg-Hornbjarg-Veidileysufjördur)
Distance: 80 km
Duration: 4 days
Difficulty Level: Challenging
If you’re a bird lover this trail might be your best Iceland hiking experience yet! This beautiful route running through the Westfjords passes by breathtaking cliffs with hundreds of waterfalls plunging into the ocean. Some of these cliffs are especially known for their Arctic Fox sightings and bird colonies. And if you pick the right time to tackle this hike (between May and August), you’ll even catch the legendary Puffin birds during the breeding season.
Lonsöræfi
Distance: 85 km
Duration: 4-5 days (but unless you want to camp out one night, you’ll need to complete it in 4 as there are only 3 camping hut sites spaced out along the route)
Difficulty Level: Extremely challenging
Located in the Lonsöræfi Nature Reserve in Southeast Iceland, this trail is quite unique compared to the other popular hiking trails around Iceland. The area is extremely remote and rugged and it’s recommended that only very experienced hikers take on this trail.
On route, you’ll be passing waterfalls, and gorges, and even get up close and personal to the Vatnajökull Glacier (Iceland’s largest glacier). The trail ends at Mt Snæfell.
The Jökulsargljufur Canyon
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty Level: Challenging
The canyon was created over thousands of years by the Jökulsa a Fjöllum river carving its way through the stone. So, in a sense, walking this trail is like going back in time and seeing the past literally etched into the rock.
Along the way, you get to see waterfalls (one of which is Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe!), basalt columns, and kilometers of isolated canyon landscapes stretching out ahead of you.
This is one of the trails that also does not offer overnight camping huts, so you need to come prepared with your camping gear. Also, keep in mind that the Vesturdalur campsite is only open from June to September each year.
Helpful Iceland Hiking Tips
If this is your first time in the country, these handy tips will keep you safe and ensure that you have the best time on your Iceland hikes:
Keep an Eye on the Weather
The local saying says “you can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland”. And that’s all fine and well when you’re sitting in a restaurant in Reykjavik, but when you’re out hiking it’s a different story. We highly recommend that you always keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecast.
Always Compare Distance to Daylight Hours
We already mentioned some trails in this article that should only be tackled during the summer months with longer daylight hours.
But irrespective of the trail or when you’re planning on hiking it; ALWAYS double-check the daylight hours for that time and ensure that you can safely hike that distance without suddenly being caught by the darkness.
You might get to see some Northern Lights, but it’s going to take quite a while for a rescue team to reach you and it’s definitely not a good idea to keep walking.
Don’t be a Hero
There are plenty of Iceland hiking trails that are easy to hike by yourself, but there are others that are known to be quite challenging. Unless you are a pro and this is not your first time hiking Iceland, we highly recommend that you rather opt for booking a spot on a guided hike.
There’s safety in numbers and being led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide is not only helpful, but you’ll also get to learn a lot more about hiking and the area.
Don’t Wait to Purchase Gear on the Island
Although you can find plenty of places on the island where you can purchase all sorts of outdoor gear and equipment, we definitely recommend against it unless you’re planning on remortgaging your house.
You’ll find local brands such as 66 degrees North, and Cintamani. But you’ll also find reputable international brands such as The North Face and Mammut, and even these are way pricier than compared to other places in the world.
The only saving grace might be SportsDirect in Kopavegur, Reykjavik. But take it from us, avoid having to buy any gear on the island.
Iceland Hiking: An Incredibly Unique Experience
When one considers the incredible landscapes one gets to cross and the amazing natural wonders one gets to gawk at along the way It’s very clear that Iceland hiking is definitely not “much of the same”.
Hiking in Iceland is probably one of the most memorable experiences of your life. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to travel to Iceland!
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