Hiking in Iceland
Iceland
Park trails and waterfall walks a visitor can find
Famous walks sit on signed park paths and boardwalks, with car parks and visitor info. Highland routes need a bit more planning; the classic days do not. Season is weather and daylight, not a secret start.
- Signed park walks
- Car-park trailheads
- Season is weather, not a hidden path
The vibe
You walk through volcanic deserts and past steaming valleys where the scale makes every step feel wonderfully remote compared to crowded continental routes. Late summer brings the crispest air and open mountain paths before the winter snows settle in. Most hikers come totally self-reliant, carrying maps and gear across wide-open terrain that stays surprisingly quiet outside the main golden circle stops.
Arnarstapi to Hellnar Coastal Path
Snæfellsbær
Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A picturesque coastal cliff walk along the southern shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, flanked by dramatic basalt column formations and churning Atlantic waves. The trail is lined with nesting seabirds and passes fascinating lava rock arches and ancient fishing sites. It offers a moderate and deeply scenic stroll with constant ocean panoramas.
Access. Starts directly from the small coastal village of Arnarstapi, easily reached via paved roads from Reykjavik.
Notes. Can be windy and exposed; slippery rocks near the surf.
Askja Caldera and Víti Crater
Þingeyjarsveit
Ulrich Latzenhofer / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A remote highland trek crossing vast, otherworldly black lava deserts of the Ódáðahraun to reach the massive Askja caldera. Hikers descend into the surreal turquoise geothermal lake of Víti crater amidst stark volcanic ramparts. This is a challenging trek into Iceland's most dramatic interior volcanic zone.
Access. Requires a specialized 4WD super-jeep tour or extremely well-equipped mountain vehicle from the north.
Notes. Short summer weather window; highly remote with no services.
Bolafjall Mountain Cliff Trail
Westfjords Region
Herbert Snorrason / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Rising steeply above the fjord of Bolungarvík in the Westfjords, Bolafjall offers dramatic coastal cliff hiking with dizzying ocean views. Trails wind up the massive sea-cliff ramparts toward a newly constructed viewing platform suspended over the abyss. The route provides an intense alpine-coastal hybrid hiking experience.
Access. Drive past Bolungarvik on Route 61 and follow the steep mountain road up to the summit plateau during summer opening hours.
Notes. Road and trails are closed during winter and spring due to severe snow and avalanche danger.
Dynjandi Waterfall Trail
Ísafjarðarbær
Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
This cascading stair-step waterfall in the remote Westfjords is framed by a short, rewarding interpretive walking trail. Hikers ascend a gravel path alongside the roaring tiers of water, passing several smaller named waterfalls along the way. The trail culminates right beneath the massive, veil-like main drop.
Access. Accessible via Route 60 in the Westfjords. A parking lot sits directly below the falls with a well-marked walking path leading up the slope.
Notes. Gravel paths can be slick when wet from waterfall mist. Open mainly from late spring through autumn.
Eldfell Volcano, Heimaey
Southern Region
Julien Carnot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Located on the island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands archipelago, this hike takes visitors straight up the cinder cone of Eldfell, a volcano that erupted unexpectedly in 1973. The trail climbs through warm, colorful volcanic ash and scoria, offering panoramic views over the colorful town, harbor, and surrounding sea stacks.
Access. Take the ferry from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey; the trailhead starts directly on the edge of town within easy walking distance of the ferry terminal.
Notes. Ground temperatures in parts of the volcanic fissure remain warm. Trails consist of loose volcanic gravel.
Glymur Waterfall Canyon Trail
Hvalfjarðarsveit
Pjt56 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
An adventurous loop hike climbing deep into a steep green canyon to view Glymur, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls plunging into a mossy gorge. The route includes crossing a rushing river via a log with a wire handrail and navigating a dark volcanic cave passage. It provides a thrilling half-day wilderness hike close to the capital.
Access. Located at the end of Hvalfjörður fjord, about an hour's drive north of Reykjavik.
Notes. The log river crossing is removed in winter/autumn; not recommended in high water.
Hornstrandir Wilderness Trek
Ísafjarðarbær
Silverkey / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A remote multi-day trekking paradise in the northernmost Westfjords, characterized by towering bird cliffs, deep green fjords, and absolute isolation. Trails follow abandoned coastal settlements where Arctic foxes roam free and human presence is minimal. It is Iceland's ultimate true wilderness backpacking destination.
Access. Accessible only by scheduled passenger ferries from Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík during summer.
Notes. No facilities, shops, or mobile coverage; unpredictable weather and frequent fog require strong navigation skills.
Landmannalaugar Thermal Valley Loops
Rangárþing ytra
TommyBee / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
A vibrant geothermal highland area featuring day hikes up the stark Bláhnúkur volcanic peak and through the colorful Brennisteinsalda obsidian lava fields. Hikers navigate steaming sulfur vents, neon-green mossy slopes, and multi-hued rhyolite mountains. Soaking in the natural hot spring after a hike is a signature Icelandic experience.
Access. Accessible by 4WD highland buses from June through September.
Notes. Weather shifts rapidly; proper high-altitude gear is essential.
Skaftafell Wilderness Trails
Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður
dconvertini / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Scenic alpine and glacier-edge hiking within Vatnajökull National Park, featuring the famous black basalt column trail to Svartifoss waterfall. Trails range from gentle valley strolls to strenuous ridges overlooking sweeping ice tongues. The varied terrain makes it a premier hub for day hikers exploring southern Iceland.
Access. Located directly off Ring Road 1 with a major visitor center and parking area.
Notes. Guided glacier walks are required for stepping onto the ice; marked hiking trails on land are self-guided.
Stuðlagil Canyon
Múlaþing
Maxim Bilovitskiy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Located in Jökuldalur valley, this canyon boasts magnificent basalt column formations lining a striking turquoise glacial river. Hikers can choose between an upper rim trail with panoramic overlooks or a lower canyon-floor trail that gets right down to the columnar rock walls. The scenery provides one of the most unique geological walking experiences in northeast Iceland.
Access. Drive along Route 1 to the eastern or western parking areas of Jökuldalur. The western side offers a staircase down to the canyon floor, while the eastern side provides an elevated rim hike.
Notes. Water color changes from turquoise in summer to murky grey during peak glacial melt or heavy rain.
Þórsmörk Nature Reserve
Rangárþing eystra
Mihocb / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A dramatic mountain ridge hiking paradise nestled between three glaciers in Iceland's southern highlands. The famous Valahnúkur peak offers sweeping panoramic views of braided glacial rivers and jagged ash-covered summits. Trails weave through mossy canyons and birch forests sheltered from harsh winds.
Access. Requires a modified 4WD super-jeep or highland bus to cross unbridged glacial rivers from the Ring Road.
Notes. Steep ascents with chains for handholds on exposed ridgelines.