10 Best Walking Tours in iceland

To walk abroad is, not with eyes,
But thoughts, the fields to see and prize;
Else may the silent feet,
Like logs of wood,
Move up and down, and see no good
Nor joy nor glory
Thomas Traherne

“Here’s a list of the best walking tours to take in Iceland. Make the most of your Icelandic experience by pairing these captivating walks with our exclusive Iceland tour packages.

10. Route 35, the Kjolur walking trail

Kjolur is one of the best walking tours to take near the Gulfoss Waterfalls.

Accessible mainly from the months of June to September, this route is a paradise for those who love driving. Prefer exploring it by a walking tour rather than on wheels? Go ahead as both are equally rewarding. Kjolur route, is called the haunted highway for a reason — it’s challenging in the months of extreme cold as heavy snowstorms are expected.

Where to: Gullfoss waterfall – Blonduos

Trail length and Duration: 45 Km, 3 – 4 days

9. The Hornstrandir walk

Iceland’s most remote walking tour is that which leads to the Hornstrandir nature reserve. A thrilling adventure for those interested in taking the road not taken, however, be on the top of your game as this trail is known to intimidate even the best of hikers.

Where to: Hesteyri – Hornstrandir

Trail length: 11 Km, 2 – 3 days

8. Laugavegur trail

Accredited by National Geographic as one of the best walking tours in the world, this trail is a wrap of dramatic landscapes laden with geothermal hot springs and lush green valleys. Laugavegur is also known for some of its best camping sites. A famous legend has it that Thorsmork valley was born when Thor, the god of thunder struck this greenland with his hammer.

Where to: Landmannalaugar – Thorsmork

Trail length: 55 Km, 3 – 5 days

7. Fimmvorduhals trail

You will start your tour at one of the most picturesque waterfalls of Iceland, the Skogafoss waterfalls, walk through steamy hot springs and ascend the colourful Fjallabak mountains before you catch a heavenly view of the Thorsmork valley down under.

Where to: Skogafoss – Thorsmork

Trail length: 25 Km, 1 -2 days

6. The Askja Trek

In the heart of Iceland lie Askja and Viti, shiny blue waters sheltering in the contours of the Dyngjufjoll mountains. These are some of the most impressive natural phenomena in Iceland as well as the world. The tour lets you snake through many volcanos and deserts tainted with age-long eruptions.

Where to: Herdubreidalindir – Svartarkot

Trail length: 100 Km, 4 days

5. Vatnajokull Wilderness Trek

Most suggested for the experienced hikers, the Vatnajokull glacier is the largest ice cap in Iceland and the third-largest in Europe. Apart from catering to some extraordinary long walking tours in Vatnajokull alone, this trek has many more untrodden trails enroute Kerlingarfjoll and Langjokull. Also if you’re looking for ice sports and ice cave tours(which are very popular in Iceland), Vatnajokull is where you go!

Where to: Skaftafellsjokull – Kjos

Trail length: 64 Km, 2 days

4. Hvannadalshnukur Summit Trek

A jewel in the crown of Iceland. This excruciating yet rewarding tour is for the George Billy Goats and the Grandma Gatewoods in you. While a view from the top of the colossal Hvannadalshnukur may be the answer for your every existential quest ever, I strongly recommend choosing this tour only after you’ve conquered all other levels of difficulty in hiking.

Where to: Sandfell – Hvannadalshnukur peak point

Trail length: 25 Km, 15 – 20 hours

3. Reykjadalur valley hike

If you want to feel the stroke of warm waters against you in ice-cold weather, take this popular yet unspoilt tour that offers a phenomenal hot spring bath its end. This trail is easy and short, and thus suitable for family tours as well as solo walking tours.

Nevertheless, if you travel anytime between September and March, your trip won’t become complete without watching the Northern lights from Reykjavik, the best spot in Iceland to watch it from.

Where to: Hveragerdi – Reykjadalur

Trail length: 17 Km, 1 day

2. Mount Esja hike

This endless stretch of breathtaking views is best for a quick walking tour. You can either choose the Steinn trail engulfing small forests and short ascents or the Varda trail with glossy boulders and steep ascents, based on the season and the kind of experience you would prefer.

Where to: Reykjavik – Esja

Trail length: 7 Km, 1 day

1. Snaefellsjokull Summit Hike

Believing Snaefellsjokull to be the centre of the earth, the classy Professor Otto Lidenbrock embarks on thrilling adventures with his nephew and their guide Hans. Yes, I’m talking about the famous novel of “A journey to the centre of the Earth” by Jules Verne. Go on and pin this location, Brendan Fraser was here!!

Where to: Snaefellsjokull summit

Trail length: 8 Km, 10 hours

After all, the best view comes after the hardest climb(I’ve been dying to say this!). But if you could enjoy the journey as much as the destination, no climb is hard. In this way a journey to the Icelandic wilderness best alludes life, don’t you think?

Now who would you prefer to walk these walks with? Pickyourtrail picks you! What say?

checkout other things to know in iceland

Akshaya Devi

226 Posts Published.

Scared of driving in Chennai traffic but also planning a solo bike trip to Ladakh. Don't be surprised if you find me all hyper, someone somewhere in the world must've misquoted Martin Scorcese or justified a bad coffee saying "C'mon, coffee is coffee".

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