The story of Iceland is written in its landscapes and best told through its hiking trails. Get ready for a trek through time—past ancient glaciers, epic geysers, legendary Viking footpaths, centennial hiker’s huts—and uncover the forces that have shaped the Land of Fire and Ice for millions of years. You’ll walk along the same paths that Viking settlers, farmers, explorers, and armies were once using to transit between the north and the south. This path is shrouded in myth and legend, very remote, and was once even full of trolls, elves, ghosts, and outlaws! Step onto the trail and hike over lava fields, between glaciers, over rivers, and canyons, and at the end of each day, rest your weary feet in cozy huts. You’ll taste traditional dishes and unwind in natural hot springs like travelers of the old. Experience the legacy and history of Iceland in this single hike.
Leave the touristy trails behind and uncover the rich history behind Iceland’s iconic landscapes on this 6-day hiking tour! Explore a spectacular mix of natural landmarks, ranging from geysers and colorful rhyolite mountains to timeless glaciers, while learning about their legacy from a seasoned local guide. Spend your time off the trails unwinding in scenic mountain huts, chilling in saunas, and tasting traditional Icelandic delicacies.
Your guide will pick you up at 10am at the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik and drive to Þingvellir National Park, where we will take a walk, explore the Mid-Atlantic Rift, and learn about the history of Iceland. After that, we head to Efstidalur farm and restaurant, where we will enjoy dinner in a barn and receive a culinary introduction from the farmers. After a good meal, we drive to the Geysir geothermal area to witness the geysers erupting boiling hot water high into the air! Finally, we head into the wilderness of the highlands and make our way to our first hut.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hut
After breakfast, pack up your luggage and place it in the car. Today, you’ll hike the out-and-back trail to the Hveradalir geothermal area and complete a loop around the valley to soak in all the amazing sights. You’ll encounter a spectacular array of colors—including yellow, blue, black, green, and red—created by the iron and rhyolite that compose the surrounding mountains. After the hike, you’ll be transported to the Hveravellir hut, where you will spend the night and enjoy a truly unique dinner in a turf house. Be sure to take a dip in the nearby geothermal pool before hitting the hay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hut
Hiking: 7 miles / 12 km
Elevation change: 1,970 ft / 600 m
A spectacular hike awaits today along the ancient Kjalvegur route, once used by Vikings, settlers, and farmers. The trail winds between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers, taking you through unique vegetation—grass, flowers, and brush—as well as black lava fields, volcanic craters, mountains, and glaciers. You’ll hike to the top of Rauðkollur (Redhead Mountain) and enjoy unrivaled views of the glaciers and rivers snaking their way through the surrounding valleys and peaks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hut
Hiking: 7-11 miles / 11-18 km
Elevation change: 490-1970 ft / 150-600 m
Today, you’ll follow ancient cairns built by the Vikings a thousand years ago and walk along the Fúlakvísl river, skirting the edge of the Kjalhraun lava field while enjoying spectacular views of Hrútfell mountain and its sweeping glaciers throughout. Watch as the Fúlakvísl river roars through a narrow canyon carved out by lava millennia ago. The scenery around the Þverbrekknamúli hut is so breathtaking, you’ll want to stay and explore it for days on end—it’s a true Highland oasis.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hut
Hiking: 9 miles / 14 km
Elevation change: 330 ft / 100 m
On day 5, you’ll hike to one of the oldest mountain huts in Iceland—Hvítnes. Built back in 1930, the hut, with its turf roof, is protected by Icelandic law due to its age and uniqueness. You’ll follow a trail that winds through vegetated areas, interspersed with deep horse tracks and crystal-clear springs. The hut is located near the glacial lake Hvítárvatn, which flows from the Langjökull glacier and serves as the source of both the Hvítá river and the Gullfoss waterfall. An ice-cold river runs just outside the hut—for those brave enough, a refreshing dip awaits!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hut
Hiking: 10 miles / 16 km
Elevation change: 880 ft/ 270 m
It’s time to head back out of the Highlands. After breakfast, we drive toward the Gullfoss waterfall, where we stop to enjoy magnificent views of this natural wonder. Next, we continue to Farmers Bistro, a small local restaurant, and enjoy a final lunch together. Our return to Reykjavík follows a different route than the one we arrived on. This marks the official end of the tour. If you’d like to stay longer and continue exploring the area, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included:
Not included:
This Icelandic hiking adventure is suitable for all ages as long as you have a decent level of fitness. You’ll be hiking for 4 to 6 full days, covering around 7.5-10 miles (12-17 km) per day with moderate altitude change while carrying a loaded daypack. Your main luggage will be transported with a support vehicle.
Keep in mind that you’ll also be covering tricky volcanic terrain. The weather and trail conditions may affect the difficulty, and you will encounter several minor river crossings along the trail.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Your main luggage will be transported with a support vehicle, and you will not have access to it until you reach the huts in the afternoon. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your day backpack.
Please do not bring hard suitcases. A soft duffel bag, ca 60 L, is preferable, and please do not exceed 40 lbs (18 kg) per person. Also, keep in mind that the bags might move around or get wet during transport, so pack accordingly.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Iceland 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.
To get to the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a bus, shuttle, or taxi to Reykjavík.
You will be meeting your guide at the BSI bus terminal in central Reykjavik at 10 am, which can be easily accessed by foot or public transportation. From there, you’ll head to the trailhead. You will return back to Reykjavik after the Golden Circle tour on the last day around 3pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.
However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.
Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.
First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.
Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.
And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.
In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
https://safetravel.is/
https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info
Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
https://youtu.be/QA3-BXYuYrw?feature=shared
Non-refundable 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
Early Bird booking
Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.
As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.
More about how Early Bird bookings work below:
