Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 5-day Iceland hiking retreat Accommodation for 4 nights in mountain huts All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5 Transport from Reykjavík to the trailhead and back Luggage transfer between huts Not included: Flights to and from Iceland Transportation to the meeting point (BSÍ bus terminal Reykjavik) Snacks between meals Sleeping bag Hiking poles Showers in the huts (payable on site) Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This retreat requires a good level of fitness . Expect hiking up to 8 hours and 21 km (13 mi) per day, with up to 775 m (2,540 ft) of elevation. The terrain in the Icelandic Highlands can include volcanic landscapes, rocky trails, and occasional river crossings. Weather conditions can change quickly, so participants should be comfortable spending long days outdoors with a daypack. It’s recommended to prepare for the trip by doing practice day hikes before the tour while carrying a 7–10 kg (15–22 lb) backpack. Luggage transfers between huts are included in this trip. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland hiking tours here !

What do I need to bring?

Clothing and footwear: Layered clothing (base layer, insulating mid-layer, waterproof outer layer) Hat and gloves Buff or neck gaiter Extra dry clothes Moisture-wicking socks Sturdy waterproof hiking boots River crossing shoes (lightweight sneakers or sandals) Gear: Daypack (20–40 L) Extra bag for transported luggage (waterproof preferred) Trekking poles (recommended) Sleeping bag Water bottle or hydration pack Headlamp or torch Snacks Sunglasses and sunscreen Toiletries and towel Camera Notebook for journaling Earplugs (optional) 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 age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Iceland hiking retreat , the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8 :1. It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants . An Iceland hiking retreat can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Iceland hiking retreat on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

A single occupancy room is not available on this Iceland hiking retreat because you’ll be staying at huts which feature dormitory-style lodging.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Iceland hiking retreat is Reykjavik . To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) . From there, you can take a shuttle service or a taxi to reach the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavik. You will meet your guides at 6:30 am at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík on Day 1.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.

2026 is sold out — book 2027, or find a last minute deal.

ICELANDIC HIGHLANDS | ICELAND

Iceland Hiking Retreat: 5-Day Mindful Highlands Trek

Name: Iceland Hiking Retreat: 5 Days of Mindful Hiking
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock

5 days | Moderate

From $2,939 ()

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Iceland has a way of making everything else fade into the background, and on this hiking retreat, we take full advantage of that. Over five days in the remote Icelandic Highlands, we hike from the rainbow-colored peaks of Landmannalaugar through volcanic valleys, rhyolite mountains, and wide black-sand deserts, far from crowds and everyday noise. At times we walk in silence, letting the landscape set the rhythm of the day. We soak in geothermal springs, share simple meals in mountain huts, and slow down enough to really take in where we are. This Iceland hiking retreat isn’t about racking up miles—it’s about reconnecting with nature, with stillness, and maybe even with yourself.

Elsebeth

Adventure Highlights

Mindfulness in the Highlands: Experience Iceland’s wild interior by walking through remote volcanic landscapes in silence
Remote wilderness: Follow the little-traveled Strútstigur route through rhyolite mountains, geothermal valleys, and vast glacial deserts
Geothermal happy hour: Soak in the natural Strútslaug hot spring and spend cozy evenings in remote mountain huts

Duration

5 days

Season

June through August

Group size

Up to 14 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This 5-day guided hiking retreat takes you deep into Iceland's southern Highlands, starting with a day among the colorful peaks and hot springs of Landmannalaugar. From there, you follow the little-traveled Strútstigur route from Hólaskjól to Álftavötn, Strútskali, and Hvanngil. Days mix moderate trail time, up to 21 km (13 mi), with slower, mindful practices like quiet hiking, sit-spots, and journaling. You'll spend four nights in simple mountain huts with shared dorms. All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5 are included, and they're mostly vegetarian and vegan. Luggage is transferred between huts, so you only carry a daypack, and transport from Reykjavík and back is covered.

Day 1: Reykjavík to Hólaskjól via Landmannalaugar

We meet at 6:30 am at the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík and take the highland bus to Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. We spend the day on its many shorter trails, crossing the thick Laugahraun lava field or summiting Brennisteinsalda or Bláhnúkur, some of Iceland’s most colorful mountains, and soaking in the natural thermal pool. It’s a gentle threshold between the world we’ve left behind and the journey ahead. In the late afternoon, we’re driven deeper into the Highlands to the Hólaskjól Highland Center, where we spend the night and share our first dinner together.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Hiking distance: 5–10 km (3–6 mi), depending on trails chosen
Elevation gain: Varies by trails chosen

Day 2: Hólaskjól to Álftavötn

We follow the Huldufoss waterfall and the Syðri Ófæra river to Álftavötn lake. It’s a quiet, slow day, with plenty of time to take in the landscape, sit-spot practices, and breaks along the way. We’ll cross several rivers, our first encounters with Iceland’s cold waters, and these crossings quickly become a practice of their own, bringing us straight into the present moment. Álftavötn sits within a canyon, giving our group the perfect space to settle into our practices and into each other’s company.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Hiking distance: 7 km (4.3 mi)
Elevation gain: 119 m (390 ft)

Day 3: Álftavötn to Strútskali

Today is a full day of hiking across the Highlands on little-used trails, through ever-changing landscapes of rhyolite mountains, hot springs, and green valleys. The terrain is hilly in places, but we mostly walk through flat valleys. There’s one short river crossing, where we’ll use our trekking poles and wading shoes, and we stop to recharge at the remote geothermal pool of Strútslaug. By the end of the day, we arrive at the Strútskali hut, our home for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Hiking distance: 21 km (13 mi)
Elevation gain: 775 m (2,543 ft)

Day 4: Exploring around Strútur

We spend the day immersed in the landscapes around the hut. Depending on the weather, you can summit Strútur, hike to the iconic Mælifell, or head toward Torfajökull, a glacier-capped rhyolite volcano. If you’d rather slow down, you’re free to stay back and relax at the hut. In the evening, we gather for a festive dinner to celebrate our last night together in the Highlands.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Hiking distance: Up to 13 km (8 mi), optional
Elevation gain: 425 m (1,394 ft), optional

Day 5: Strútur to Reykjavík via Hvanngil

On our final day, we cross the glacial sand deserts and wetlands below Mýrdalsjökull, taking in the vast, desolate beauty of the Highlands as we pass through parts of the great Mælifellssandur. Toward the end, the group can split in two: one hikes over a mountain peak, while the other continues across the plains. We finish at the Hvanngil hut on the Laugavegur trail, where our bus picks us up for the drive back to Reykjavík, arriving in the evening. If you’d like to keep going, you can continue on your own to Þórsmörk, so just let us know beforehand.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking distance: 13 km (8 mi)
Elevation gain: 169 m (554 ft)

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Lodging & food

Mountain huts

During the retreat, we stay in remote mountain huts in the Icelandic Highlands. These huts offer simple but comfortable shelter in one of Europe’s most rugged landscapes.

Guests sleep in shared dormitory-style rooms and must bring their own sleeping bag. Facilities are basic but functional, designed to support hikers traveling through the Highlands. Showers are available at some huts for an additional fee paid on site.

Evenings in the huts are an important part of the experience—sharing meals, reflecting on the day’s hike, and enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the Icelandic wilderness.

Food

Meals on this Iceland hiking retreat focus on healthy, nourishing vegetarian and vegan cuisine, prepared using local products whenever possible.

Your guide Fabien, a certified dietitian and coach, designs the meal plan to support long days of physical activity while maintaining energy and mental clarity. The meals emphasize balanced nutrition and fresh ingredients, helping participants recover after each day on the trail.

On special occasions, locally sourced lamb or fish may be served for a celebratory meal, though vegetarian and vegan options are always available.

Adventure, packed to go

Iceland Hiking Retreat: 5-Day Mindful Highlands Trek

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Elsebeth

Elsebeth grew up in Greenland with the mountains as her playground. After an academic career in teaching and learning theory, she shifted her focus to sharing her passion for nature with others. Through her work, she explores how nature fosters deeper learning and inner connectedness and currently guides in the Highlands of South Iceland and in Sweden.

5.00

Fabien

Fabien is a dietitian, health coach, and life coach who specializes in helping people improve both their physical and mental wellbeing. During the hike, he supports participants in turning the physical challenges of the journey into meaningful insights they can apply in their everyday lives. Fabien also designs vibrant vegan and vegetarian meals that fuel long hiking days, supporting endurance, recovery, and mental clarity throughout the adventure.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 5-day Iceland hiking retreat
  - Accommodation for 4 nights in mountain huts
  - All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5
  - Transport from Reykjavík to the trailhead and back
  - Luggage transfer between huts
Not included:
- - Flights to and from Iceland
  - Transportation to the meeting point (BSÍ bus terminal Reykjavik)
  - Snacks between meals
  - Sleeping bag
  - Hiking poles
  - Showers in the huts (payable on site)
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
This retreat requires a good level of fitness. Expect hiking up to 8 hours and 21 km (13 mi) per day, with up to 775 m (2,540 ft) of elevation.

The terrain in the Icelandic Highlands can include volcanic landscapes, rocky trails, and occasional river crossings. Weather conditions can change quickly, so participants should be comfortable spending long days outdoors with a daypack.

It’s recommended to prepare for the trip by doing practice day hikes before the tour while carrying a 7–10 kg (15–22 lb) backpack. Luggage transfers between huts are included in this trip.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland hiking tours here!
Clothing and footwear:
- - Layered clothing (base layer, insulating mid-layer, waterproof outer layer)
  - Hat and gloves
  - Buff or neck gaiter
  - Extra dry clothes
  - Moisture-wicking socks
  - Sturdy waterproof hiking boots
  - River crossing shoes (lightweight sneakers or sandals)
Gear:
- - Daypack (20–40 L)
  - Extra bag for transported luggage (waterproof preferred)
  - Trekking poles (recommended)
  - Sleeping bag
  - Water bottle or hydration pack
  - Headlamp or torch
  - Snacks
  - Sunglasses and sunscreen
  - Toiletries and towel
  - Camera
  - Notebook for journaling
  - Earplugs (optional)
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.

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Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Iceland hiking retreat, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.
An Iceland hiking retreat can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Iceland hiking retreat on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A single occupancy room is not available on this Iceland hiking retreat because you’ll be staying at huts which feature dormitory-style lodging.
The starting point of your Iceland hiking retreat is Reykjavik. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a shuttle service or a taxi to reach the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavik.

You will meet your guides at 6:30 am at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík on Day 1.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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