Where to hike in Iceland
Iceland's hiking regions are very different: the roadless Highlands for big treks, the South Coast for waterfalls and glaciers, the Westfjords for true wilderness. Pick a region to see its trails on the map.
Hiking in Highlands
The uninhabited interior is where Iceland's most famous trails live: the Laugavegur, Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and Askja. Access is only possible in summer, usually from late June when the F-roads open, by 4x4 or highland bus.
Laugavegur Trail · Landmannalaugar · Kerlingarfjöll · Kerlingarfjöll · Askja & Víti Crater · Strútsstígur Trail · Kjölur Trail (Kjalvegur) · Landmannalaugar · Landmannalaugar · Landmannalaugar · Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker · Hellismannaleið Trail · Laki Craters (Lakagígar) · Löðmundur · Rauðufossar & Rauðauga · Hekla Summit · Sveinstindur & Langisjór · Eldgjá & Ófærufoss
Hiking in South Iceland
From Skógafoss and the Fimmvörðuháls pass to Þórsmörk, Vík and Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, the south coast packs the densest mix of easy waterfall walks, glacier hikes and serious day treks in the country.
Fimmvörðuháls Hike · Skaftafell · Svartifoss Waterfall Hike · Þórsmörk · Vík · Múlagljúfur Canyon Hike · Kvernufoss Waterfall Walk · Þakgil Red Trail · Háifoss & Granni Rim Walk · Hjörleifshöfði & Gígjagjá Cave · Þórólfsfell · Kirkjubæjarklaustur · Skaftafell · Skaftafell Glacier Trail · Skaftafell · Þórsmörk · Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi · Skógafoss Waterfall Way · Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck · Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk · Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon · Stakkholtsgjá Canyon · Eldfell Volcano, Heimaey · Gjáin & Stöng · Þakgil · Skaftafellsheiði Loop
Hiking in Golden Circle
Easy, year-round hikes close to the capital: bathe in the Reykjadalur hot river near Hveragerði or follow the riverside path to the startlingly blue Brúarfoss.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Hike · Brúarfoss Trail · Þingvellir · Hengill · Kerið Crater Rim
Hiking in Reykjavík Area
Mount Esja rises straight out of the sea across the bay from Reykjavík and is the capital's training ground, with trails from gentle forest loops to the Þverfellshorn summit.
Mount Esja · Helgafell, Hafnarfjörður · Úlfarsfell
Hiking in West Iceland
Hvalfjörður's Glymur hike is the highlight of the west, an hour from Reykjavík, with Snæfellsnes and Borgarfjörður beyond.
Glymur Waterfall Hike · Bæjarfell above Húsafell · Eldborg Crater · Arnarstapi to Hellnar Coastal Walk · Grábrók Crater · Glanni & Paradísarlaut · Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge · Djúpalónssandur & Dritvík
Hiking in Westfjords
The Hornstrandir nature reserve at the tip of the Westfjords has no roads, no services and some of the wildest coastal hiking in Europe. Boats run from Ísafjörður in summer.
Hornstrandir · Vatnsfjörður · Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs · Dynjandi Waterfall Trail · Kaldalón · Hornbjarg from Hornvík
Hiking in North Iceland
Jökulsárgljúfur canyon links Dettifoss, Hafragilsfoss and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi, with excellent day hikes and a classic two-day canyon trek.
Dettifoss to Hafragilsfoss · Ásbyrgi Canyon Rim Loop · Súlur above Akureyri · Krafla · Námafjall Geothermal Ridge · Vindbelgjarfjall · Dimmuborgir Lava Formations · Hólmatungur · Hljóðaklettar & Rauðhólar · Ásbyrgi · Rauðinúpur Bird Cliffs · Rauðanes Coastal Loop · Kaldbakur · Laufáshnjúkur · Fjörður Coastal Trek · Glerárdalur above Akureyri · Botnsvatn Lake, Húsavík · Mælifellshnjúkur · Hverfjall Crater · Ystuvíkurfjall · Vaðlaheiði above Akureyri
Hiking in East Iceland
Stuðlagil's basalt columns and the red-striped Hengifoss are the stars of the east, both easy half-day hikes near Egilsstaðir.
Stuðlagil Canyon Hike · Hengifoss Waterfall Hike · Hallormsstaður Forest Cliffs · Strútsfoss Waterfall · Brúnavík from Borgarfjörður Eystri · Stórurð · Fuglabjarganes · Hallormsstaðaháls Moorland · Snæfell · Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon
Hiking in Reykjanes Peninsula
The peninsula you land on is one of the most volcanically active corners of Iceland. Hike to the Fagradalsfjall eruption sites, climb the perfect cone of Keilir, walk among the hot springs of Krýsuvík, or follow the Reykjavegur across the whole peninsula. Recent eruptions near Grindavík have closed some areas at times, so check SafeTravel.is for current access before you go.
Krýsuvík Geothermal Area · Fagradalsfjall Eruption Trail · Keilir