Iceland
Description
This rugged North Atlantic island offers great hiking through surprising nature. Vast lava fields spread out next to massive glaciers. Hot streams emerge from boiling springs. Giant waterfalls come roaring down and of course the famous geysers blow hot steam high into the air at regular intervals. For any hiker who loves wide expanses of clear empty sky, phenomenal views and remoteness. Everything in this country is bigger, larger, more colourful, and wetter. Iceland is paradise.
The volcanic most active part of the island is a band running from the south west to the north east.
There are numerous hiking trails in different parts of Iceland, but not all are clearly waymarked. Given frequent fog and the remoteness of Icelandic nature in general, it is necessary that you always know how to use map and compass. Don’t believe people who argue that a compass will be impaired by the local magnetism: not true. A GPS receiver, and plenty of spare batteries, comes in handy too. The most popular routes pass mountain huts at a day’s hike distance. Make reservations in advance. Always bring your own sleeping bag and food.
The most popular routes are:
- Laugavegur, between active volcanos, glaciers and colourful mountains;
- Kjalvegur, a trading route in the remote interior.
Also think of these good hiking area’s
- Þingvellir, the historic lake and pleasant surroundings;
- Mývatn, a beloved lake in the north;
- The eastern fjords;
- The giant glacier Vatnajökull, with many trails around it;
- The very very lonely north coast;
- Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, with its immense waterfalls and spectacular canyons;
- Hornstrandir, the fjord like north western peninsula.
Although Iceland is not as cold a place as it sounds, hikers must be prepared for frequent and sudden weather changes and fog during all seasons. Also you may have to wade across rivers, and this can be dangerous. The summer months (mid June to mid September) are best for hiking. Prepare well.
Trails
Regions
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
United Kingdom
2020
- Iceland Hiking - with Reykjavik City Guide
- 11 selected trails including 1- to 2-day hikes and The Laugavegur Trek Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Iceland Hiking with Reykjavik City Guide | Trailblazer Guides
- 11 selected trails including 1- to 2-day hikes and The Laugavegur Trek Read more
United Kingdom
- Iceland Travel Guide 2023
- Discover the Hidden Gems of Iceland (Your Ultimate 2023 Travel Guide) Read more
United Kingdom
- The Icelandic Dream
- A Guide to Planning Your Perfect Vacation To Iceland Read more
United Kingdom
- ICELAND, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, canyons, hot springs, lakes, geysers, craters, lava fields
- Smart Travel Guide for Nature Lovers, Hikers, Trekkers, Photographers (budget version, b/w) Read more
United Kingdom
2020
- Moon Iceland (Third Edition)
- Waterfalls, Glaciers & Hot Springs Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
- ICELAND, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, canyons, hot springs, lakes, geysers, craters, lava fields
- Smart Travel Guide for Nature Lovers, Hikers, Trekkers, Photographers Read more
Netherlands
- In the Hoofprints of the Vikings, Horse Trekking in Iceland
- "In the Hoofprints of the Vikings, Horse Trekking in Iceland" is a joyous, uplifting photographic adventure. Photographer and author, Elisabeth Haug, clearly shows her love of people, nature, horses, and Iceland. The Icelandic nature is stunning. Beauty, grand, wide horizons, and subtle colors abound. Because of its glaciers and geo thermal... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- In the Hoofprints of the Vikings, Horse Trekking in Iceland
- "In the Hoofprints of the Vikings, Horse Trekking in Iceland" is a joyous, uplifting photographic adventure. Photographer and author, Elisabeth Haug, clearly shows her love of people, nature, horses, and Iceland. The Icelandic nature is stunning. Beauty, grand, wide horizons, and subtle colors abound. Because of its glaciers and geo thermal... Read more
Netherlands
2015
- Wandelgids Island: Naturparadies am Polarkreis | Uwe Grunewald
- Island ist ein Paradies für Wanderer und ein Eldorado für Naturfotografen. Es ist die derzeit größte Vulkaninsel der Erde, deren Landschaftsbild bis zum heutigen Tag von den Naturgewalten bestimmt wird. Diese Naturgewalten haben aber auch eine gewaltige Natur geschaffen, die man nur als Wanderer intensiv erleben kann. In diesem Buch werden 10... Read more
Maps
United Kingdom
- Árnes
- Árnes, map no. 12, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and mudflats,... Read more
United Kingdom
- Öræfajökull
- Öræfajökull, map no. 23, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Iceland West: Akranes - Eiríksjökull Glacier
- Western Iceland at 1:200,000 on a detailed map from Mál og Menning with exceptionally vivid presentation of the country’s topography and landscape, hard surface or gravel roads and numerous country tracks, superb drawings of local birds and flowers, etc. Coverage extends northwards from Akranes to Skarðsströnd and the Gilsfjördur bay and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Strandir
- Strandir, map no. 8, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Mýrdalsjökull - Eyjafjallajökull
- Mýrdalsjökull - Eyjafjallajökull, map no. 14, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava... Read more
United Kingdom
- Skeiðarársandur
- Skeiðarársandur, map no. 24, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Iceland Western Fjords
- The Western Fjords of Iceland at 1:200,000 on a detailed map from Mál og Menning with exceptionally vivid presentation of the country’s topography and landscape, hard surface or gravel roads and numerous country tracks, superb drawings of local birds and flowers, etc.Maps in this series, first published in summer 2013, are based on the... Read more
United Kingdom
- Skagi
- Skagi, map no. 9, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and mudflats,... Read more
United Kingdom
- Veiðivötn
- Veiðivötn, map no. 15, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Hornafjörður
- Hornafjörður, map no. 25, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Vatnsdalur
- Vatnsdalur, map no. 10, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Langjökull
- Langjökull, map no. 11, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Nýjabæjarfjall
- Nýjabæjarfjall, map no. 17, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Snæfell
- Snæfell, map no. 26, in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100,000 published by Mál og menning, with excellent, vivid presentation of the terrain, footpaths and bridleways, campsites, etc. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by bold relief shading plus colouring and/or graphics to show glaciers, lava fields, sands and... Read more