Iceland

Iceland: Hiking Through Fire, Ice, and Open Space

Reykjavík may be one of the world’s smallest capitals, but it’s perfectly placed for hikers. Coastal paths trace the edge of the city, offering easy walks with views across the Atlantic, while nearby nature reserves and volcanic hills provide quick escapes into the outdoors.

For those heading deeper into Iceland’s interior, Reykjavík is the main staging point — a place to plan routes, check weather conditions, and prepare for the country’s famously unpredictable terrain. Even short walks here feel wild, with sea air, lava rock, and distant mountains never far away.

Volcanic Trails: Hiking Across Living Landscapes

Iceland’s hiking trails feel unlike anywhere else. Paths cut across hardened lava fields, weave through moss-covered volcanic rock, and climb toward steaming geothermal areas where the ground itself feels alive beneath your feet.

Regions like Landmannalaugar and Þingvellir National Park offer accessible yet dramatic hiking, with colourful rhyolite mountains, fissures, and wide-open valleys shaped by fire and tectonic movement. These trails are often well-marked but exposed, rewarding careful planning and respect for rapidly changing weather.

Highlands & Glacial Valleys: Remote Routes and Big Rewards

For experienced hikers, Iceland’s highlands deliver true remoteness. Multi-day routes such as those found in the interior lead through river crossings, black-sand deserts, and glacial valleys where silence dominates the landscape.

Further south, trails near glaciers offer striking contrasts — ice against volcanic rock, rushing meltwater streams, and sweeping views across vast plains. Whether hiking for a few hours or committing to longer routes, Iceland’s trails offer a powerful sense of scale, isolation, and connection to nature.