SUMMIT HIKES

There are many hiking trails in Iceland, which all offer something different. While everyone might disagree on which one is the best, all these hiking areas promise an experience you’ll never forget.

Laugavegur is the most famous, offering multi-day and shorter trails across Iceland’s southern highlands. There's a good reason why it’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike!

Alternatively, the Vatnajökull National Park offers some incredible hikes, in an area known as the home of one of the largest glaciers in Europe. It’s so much more than that too, with Iceland’s highest mountain, lush nature, and breathtaking views.

The reality is, though, that wherever you go in Iceland, you’ll find some great hiking trails. Get your walking boots on and go exploring!

There is no charge to hike in Iceland. You can traverse any path or climb any hill without a guide, if you have the skills and experience to do so safely.

However, you should expect to pay a small fee if you want to camp or spend the night in an equipped mountain hut. Similarly, you should expect to pay for transport to and from the hiking areas.

At Icelandia, our hiking tours include transportation and accommodation costs, as well as an experienced guide and transport for any belongings you don’t want to carry yourself.

When hiking in Iceland, you should wear quality outdoor clothing, if you have it. We recommend breathable layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, and sturdy walking boots. For the evenings, a hat, gloves, and warm socks are a good idea too.

Ultimately, your priority should be to stay warm and dry—even in the summer!

That depends how long you have to spare! With so much hiking on offer in Iceland, you could spend weeks linking up different trails and exploring the wilder parts of the country. In fact, many people do.

That said, if you’re looking for a single, memorable hiking experience, we recommend a multi-day route of about five days. This gives you the opportunity to get far off the beaten track and into some of Iceland’s remote areas.

Alternatively, you might be happy with just a day hike. We offer many of these experiences too.

Hiking to Fagradalsfjall can be safe for individuals who are reasonably fit and take necessary precautions. It's essential to be well-informed about the weather and current conditions, be adequately prepared, have the appropriate gear and clothing, and strictly adhere to guidelines.

Respecting closures, staying on designated trails, and avoiding hiking on solidified lava are also crucial for ensuring safety.

Hiking to Fagradalsfjall can be safe for individuals who are reasonably fit and take necessary precautions. It's essential to be well-informed about the weather and current conditions, be adequately prepared, have the appropriate gear and clothing, and strictly adhere to guidelines. Respecting closures, staying on designated trails, and avoiding hiking on solidified lava are also crucial for ensuring safety.

The accessibility of the volcano and its trails can fluctuate following each eruption and might even shift daily during active periods. Some trails can be quite extensive, reaching up to 20 km (approximately 12.4 miles), while others are shorter and more leisurely. It's crucial to obtain current information about any hiking trail in this region. Consult the safetravel.is website or join our Facebook group to discuss with locals about the latest conditions.

Ultimately, you will need to be reasonably fit to complete any hike in this area. You’ll also need sturdy boots, as you’ll be walking over rocky and unstable terrain. We discourage anyone from hiking here in the wintertime without local guidance.

The most famous hike in Iceland is probably the Laugavegur trail. Running from the lush oasis of Þórsmörk to the geothermal pools at Landmannalaugar, the route takes in some of the most magical, surprising, and downright awesome sights in the southern highlands.

It definitely deserves its fame. See multicoloured rhyolite hills and black-sand deserts, glaciers and canyons, and even a recently active volcano, Eyjafjallajökull.

Come and hike the Laugavegur trail for yourself. It’s an unforgettable experience.

The best season to hike in Iceland is the summer. This is when weather conditions are best and the snow has melted, allowing access to the remote parts of the highlands. At the same time, days are longer, giving you more hours of daylight in which to walk.

That’s not to say that you can’t join hiking tours in other parts of the year. You can. But routes might be more difficult and you may need experience on the snow.

Yes, you can see lava at Fagradalsfjall. The volcano erupted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with each eruption lasting for a few weeks or months. Experts predict that Fagradalsfjall will continue its pattern of erupting on and off for the coming decades.

Depending on the timing of your visit, you might encounter an active eruption with flowing lava, or you might see recently solidified lava from past eruptions.

While witnessing active lava flows is undoubtedly mesmerising, exploring the freshly solidified lava fields is also a unique and awe-inspiring experience. There are guided tours available that specifically take visitors to these new and transforming landscapes.

The summer months—June, July, and August—are the best months to hike in Iceland. Travel is easier as most of the winter snows have melted and the terrain is a lot easier to walk on.

Of course, the weather is better too, giving you a better chance of clear skies, warmer temperatures, and long evenings of sunshine.

Iceland offers some of the world’s best hikes, crossing some of the world’s wildest landscapes. Every hike is a challenge in its own right, whether it involves long distance, steep ascents, or loose terrain.

On a hiking tour in Iceland, we offer routes of all levels of difficulty, to challenge every level of hiker.

The hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano is a moderate route that requires sturdy shoes and a decent level of fitness. It covers 7 kilometres (4.4 miles) with an ascent of about 300 metres (990 feet).

The hike to the eruption site at Fagradalsfjall is 7 kilometres (4.4 miles) with an ascent of about 300 metres (990 feet). It’s also on loose ground, thanks to its location on a lava field.

While it can be a challenge, take it as slow as you need to and you’ll get there. It’s definitely worth the effort!

There are many opportunities for hiking in Iceland. From the world-famous Laugavegur trail to day routes in the country’s three national parks, you’ll be spoiled for choice. There’s a reason Iceland is known as an outdoor paradise!

That said, Iceland isn’t only about hiking. There’s a huge array of outdoor and adventure activities on offer, including diving, snowmobile riding, ice caving, wildlife watching, and more. They’re all different ways to see Iceland’s awesome landscape. It’s a place where there’s truly something for everyone.