The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Iceland

Whether you’re an avid hiker or you consider yourself to be more hike-curious, there is no better place to hit the marked trail than Iceland. Hiking in Iceland is an experience not soon forgotten, providing exhilarating physical activity with vistas so stunning they’ll make you weak in the knees — luckily for those looking to cover some serious ground, that’s just a turn of phrase.

In this blog post we’ll walk you (no pun intended) through why you should take a hike in Iceland, what Icelandic hiking trails you should add to your bucket list, how to prepare for your hike in Iceland, and more.

We hope you’ve stretched, because your ultimate guide to hiking in Iceland starts now.

Iceland is a beautiful country. It is often described as unique, ethereal, and other-worldly, and, while those terms can get a little repetitive, they’re still absolutely spot on. Icelandic nature — and by extension, Iceland’s numerous hiking trails — are unique, ethereal and other-worldly. We’d also add on challenging, exhilarating and rewarding.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Iceland is a hiker’s paradise. There are hiking trails of every length and elevation and suitable for nearly every fitness level. Here are Icelandic Mountain Guides’ favourite hiking trails in Iceland.

Icelandic nature is beautiful in all seasons and many hikes — glacier hikes, for example — are well suited for the colder winter months. But the ideal time to hike in Iceland is in the summer.

The months of June, July and August boast long days and the best forecasts. Summer in Iceland may not deliver the heat some visitors are used to. The average summer temperature rarely surpasses 20º C, and, as throughout the year, the weather can be unpredictable. Still, the extremes won’t be as severe during the summer months, so hikes and tours are far less likely to be cancelled or postponed due to weather.

Another very big perk of hiking in the Icelandic summer is the midnight sun. There’s something so freeing about hiking out in nature knowing that you can explore longer and trek further, safe in the knowledge that there will still be enough daylight to set up camp when you are ready to call it a night. The long summer days are truly magical… just be sure to pack a sleeping mask.

If you are visiting Iceland during the winter and fancy a hike, don’t despair, you’re not without options. We’ve already mentioned taking a guided glacier hike during the winter months, but there’s also the possibility of embracing the long, dark nights and combining an active adventure with northern lights spotting. Whether you’re braving one cold Icelandic night to spot the auroras or a four-day winter walkabout is more your speed, hiking in Iceland during the winter won’t disappoint.

Just as you would do when getting dressed for any other day, you should consider the weather conditions when planning what to pack for your hike and how to dress. The only difference is that you will have to consider the weather conditions at the elevation you’ll be ascending to, as well. The weather may be mild in Reykjavík, but rather cold atop the plateau you will be traversing on foot that day.

Another consideration is the trail conditions. While many of Iceland’s more well trod hiking trails are well maintained, some stretches can be particularly rocky or uneven and they can be slippery, icy, muddy or snowy, depending on the season and how the weather conditions have been.

A good thing to remember when dressing for a hike is that layers are your friend. You can always take a layer off if you’re too warm, but you’ll just be left cold, wet, miserable and in potential trouble if you don’t have enough (and appropriate) layers to begin with.

Here is what we would recommend wearing for any hike:

Being prepared for your hike in Iceland involves more than simply getting dressed in the right clothing. Once you’ve carefully considered where you’re hiking and the conditions you’ll be facing, you’ll want to ensure you have the correct gear and provisions to make the hike a happy one.

Here are some items you should pack in your backpack:

The number one thing you should do before embarking on any self-guided hike or trek in Iceland is to let people know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. You can register travel plans with SafeTravel.is and check in with them for weather alerts and travel conditions.

There are many benefits to taking a guided hike while in Iceland. The terrain, scenery and weather conditions will be the same whether you embark on a guided or self-guided hike, but a guide will structure the hike, ensuring that the group is walking at a pace that is suitable for everyone, while sharing educational information about the area in which you’re hiking. You won’t just see the sites, you’ll know all about them.

Moreover, a guide will be there to answer any questions that arise on the trail and look out for your safety. Icelandic Mountain Guides’ guides are all experts on the trails they’re taking groups along and first aid certified. They know the trails forward and backward and are prepared for any conditions that might arise. Plus, they’re great company and can whip up a hearty breakfast.

Then there’s the camaraderie. On a guided hike, you’ll be experiencing the trail with other likeminded people from around the world. It’s a unique experience to meet new people and make new friends.

Taking a self-guided hike is a fine plan for those who prefer to maybe sleep a little longer, go at their own pace and do everything for themselves along the trail. If you book a self-guided hike or trek with Icelandic Mountain guides, you’ll be given a map and a detailed description of the trail so you’ll be off to a strong start.

Yes! We highly recommend booking your guided or self-guided hikes in advance. Guided hikes along Iceland’s more popular hiking trails, like the Laugavegur Trail, can fill up weeks in advance, and even shorter day tours and hikes can be fully booked.

If the hike or tour you're interested in is fully booked, be in touch and Icelandic Mountain Guides can suggest other options that will tick all your boxes.

Don’t want to miss out on the adventure of your dreams; secure your spot on the tour of your choice ahead of time on mountainguides.is.