Anyone who’s ever visited Iceland is aware of just how dramatic and alien the landscapes there can be. Wherever you turn, you’ll find a strangely-colored meadow, a jagged glacier, a rumbling volcano, or a monumental waterfall. The extreme and varied environments make hiking with a guide in Iceland a striking and memorable experience, and some of Iceland’s wildest and most diverse nature can be found on the Volcanic Trails. In the wilderness of Vatnajökull National Park, variety is the name of the game. You will hike to the peak of Sveinstindur mountain, walk along the great Skaftá river to the Eldgjá volcanic fissure, and cross the mystical black sands of the Mælifellssandur desert. See and traverse bright green mossy lava formations, massive waterfalls, deep valleys, and much more. Venture off the beaten track and feel the greatness and solitude of Iceland’s nature!
See the best of Iceland’s volcanic landscapes
Venture off the beaten path—and away from the crowds
Experience a lifetime of geological and biodiversity in a single week
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s official COVID-19 travel advice website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This tour is ideal for hikers that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain. You will be walking for 6-8 hours per day. Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles, while the more advanced hikes are full-day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind that you’ll be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Iceland’s Volcanic Trails can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.
All cancellations must be made by letter or e-mail. In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry, the travel agent is obliged to charge cancellation fees to passenger(s). If clients formally cancel their participation:
Icelandic Mountain Guides reserve the right to alter tours and itineraries due to weather or road conditions. All programs can be changed or cancelled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of the clients and staff. No responsibility is accepted for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights, or other services or because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules, or other similar causes. Icelandic Mountain Guides does not assume responsibility for accidents or death that can be traced to the participant’s negligence, acts of third parties or exterior circumstances such as weather, natural occurrences, war or other similar causes.
Any eventual changes in rates (due to purchasing prices, currency fluctuation and such) will not be made with less than 8 weeks’ notice prior to arrival.
After the invoice has been issued, the price is guaranteed against any surcharge, unless an increase is due to government laws or currency changes. Your guide will absorb an amount equivalent to 5% of the package price. Amounts that exceed the 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%.
To get to the starting point of this tour in Reykjavík, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport. From there, you can take a bus, shuttle, or taxi to Reykjavík.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the BSI central bus terminal in Reykjavík or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
