HIKING OFF THE
BEATEN PATH
In our view, one of the most authentic ways to truly immerse yourself in Iceland's natural beauty is by doing it on foot. This approach allows you to break away from the crowds and experience the sensation of being completely isolated in a vast, untouched world. This trip is tailored for hikers and individuals with a good hiking experience. It guides you through some of Iceland's most breathtaking landscapes, where you'll need to work for your panoramas, but the rewards in terms of awe-inspiring vistas, personal satisfaction, and the "wow" factor will be immeasurable. These hikes will lead you through rugged terrains, including scree fields and rocky expanses, yet every challenging step will be justified by the ultimate hiking experience in Iceland.
This adventure involves some strenuous and lengthy hikes, but for those who are well-prepared and good hikers, it is entirely achievable and exceptionally fulfilling. Expect to escape the crowds, often walking for miles without encountering another soul. If you are a fit and adventurous hiker capable of covering over 10 miles per day through rugged terrain and steep climbs, and you yearn to experience Iceland in one of the most immersive ways imaginable, then this journey is tailor-made for you!
TRIP OVERVIEW
ITINERARY
Areal view of HallgrÃmskirkja in downtown ReykjavÃk
Areal view of HallgrÃmskirkja in downtown ReykjavÃk
DAY 1
REYKJAVÍK
After your airport transfer, you‘ll have the time to explore the city of Reykjavík before your hiking adventure starts.
TOTAL DRIVING
45 minutes
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
No hiking
0
View from top of Mt. Hengill, overlooking lake Þingvallavatn
View from top of Mt. Hengill, overlooking lake Þingvallavatn
DAY 2
HENGILL
Our hiking journey starts by climbing Mt. Hengill, a large volcano just outside of the city with amazing 360° views over the southwestern part of Iceland. A great climb to prepare for the coming days.
TOTAL DRIVING
1,5 hours
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
8 km (5 mi)
380 m (1,250 ft)
Hiking up to Fimmvörðuháls, looking towards Mýrdalsjökull
Hiking up to Fimmvörðuháls, looking towards Mýrdalsjökull
DAY 3
FIMMVÖRÐUHÁLS
Today we travel into the valley of Þórsmörk, where the goal is to hike the Fimmvörðuháls trail, located right next to the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajökull. A valley surrounded by glaciers and volcanos, which have created one of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland, you’re sure to be blown away by the beauty of the area.
TOTAL DRIVING
2 hours
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
15 km (9 mi)
1,080 m (3,550 ft)
The harbor and part of the town in the Westmann islands, Vestmannaeyjabær.
The harbor and part of the town in the Westmann islands, Vestmannaeyjabær.
DAY 4
VESTMANNAEYJAR
After leaving the hotel in the morning, we’ll be heading to Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands). A cluster of volcanic islands just off the south coast of Iceland. The largest island, Heimaey, has a fishing town of about 4.000 inhabitants, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights. After reaching the island by ferry, we take on a thrilling boat ride around the island to see all the amazing rock formations it has to offer.
TOTAL DRIVING
30 minutes
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
No hiking
0
Looking towards some of the other islands of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the background.
Looking towards some of the other islands of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the background.
DAY 5
THE 7 PEAK CLIMB
The island Heimaey boasts of 7 peaks, surrounding the town and the goal is to climb all those 7 peaks in one day. The hike takes us through newly created lava fields and craters, stunning landscape created by volcanic eruptions and shaped by erosion, large puffin colonies, beautiful views towards the south coast of Iceland and so much more!
TOTAL DRIVING
No driving
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
17 km (10 mi)
1,150 m (3,770 ft)
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, located on the south coast.
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, located on the south coast.
DAY 6
THE SOUTH COAST
Today we leave the Westman Islands behind and head to the south coast of Iceland. The day will be a mix of sightseeing and shorter hikes. Along the south coast you can find stunning waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, black sand beaches, glaciers and stunning canyons. The day will be spent checking out some of those sites and preparing your muscles for the last big hike the next day.
TOTAL DRIVING
2 hours
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
Just short hikes
150 m (490 ft)
View of Grænihryggur (the green ridge), located in the highlands.
View of Grænihryggur (the green ridge), located in the highlands.
DAY 7
THE HIGHLANDS
Our last big hike on this trip will be in the Icelandic Highlands. An area where there’s wild, untouched nature as far as the eye can see. Filled with volcanos, geothermal areas, colorful mountains and beauty like no other, this is somewhere you don’t want to miss out hiking when in Iceland. The hike takes us to Grænihryggur, which is a beautiful, green rhyolite ridge that lies inside the largest caldera in Iceland called Torfajökulsaskja. On this hike we can see all the colors of the rainbow in the mountains and the hills surrounding Grænihryggur, truly an amazing area!
TOTAL DRIVING
3 hours
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
18 km (11 mi)
750 m (2,460 ft)
Down in the canyon of Háifoss, one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland
Down in the canyon of Háifoss, one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland
DAY 8
HÁIFOSS & REYKJAVÍK
On our way back down from the highlands, we’ll make a stop at one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, called Háifoss. This dramatic waterfall drops down into large canyon, where it’s possible to hike down and see the waterfall from below, which makes it even more spectacular. When we reach Reykjavík in the afternoon, we’ll head for a well-deserved soak in the Sky Lagoon, where we can soothe our muscles after this amazing hiking adventure and reflect back on all the memories we’ve made over the last week.
TOTAL DRIVING
2,5 hours
TOTAL HIKING
ELEVATION GAIN
4 km (2,5 mi)
250 m (820 ft)