Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 4-day Iceland wilderness tour (3 days of hiking) Accommodation in tents in a camp for 3 nights All meals, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4 Permits and fees Camping equipment (except sleeping bags) 4×4 vehicle for transfer to the starting point of the tour Add-ons : Sleeping bag — can be rented, please leave a note at checkout if you’re interested Not included: Flights Airport transfers Alcoholic beverages Personal expenses 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 Iceland wilderness tour is suitable for experienced hikers with great physical fitness . This is a 4-day trek through remote terrain, with full days spent hiking across black sand plains, rocky trails, and glacial landscapes. Expect to hike up to 16 km (10 mi) & 8 hours per day. While we’ll be moving through rugged terrain shaped by ice and crossing streams along the way, no technical climbing or mountaineering experience is required. You should, however, feel confident on uneven ground and ready for several active days in a row. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking tours in Iceland here!

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Hiking poles — optional Sleeping bag — can be rented Comfortable hiking clothes Trekking boots and trousers Fleece shirt Warm and waterproof jacket Rain gear Spare clothes for layering Functional underwear Hat Gloves Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) 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.

What type of sleeping bag do I need for the trip?

For camping trips, a sleeping bag of comfort level 0° C to – 5° C (32 to 21°F) is advisable for a pleasant experience. If you don‘t have a suitable sleeping bag, you can rent one at checkout.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Iceland wilderness tour , the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6 :1. It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants . An Iceland wilderness tour 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 wilderness tour 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 tent available?

A single occupancy tent is not available on this Iceland wilderness tour because we’ll be sleeping in tents.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Iceland wilderness tour is Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small village in Southeast Iceland. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) . From there, you can rent a car to reach Kirkjubæjarklaustur. You will meet your guide at the N1 station at 8 am in Kirkjubæjarklaustur on Day 1. Due to the fact that you’re meeting with the guide early in the morning on Day 1, it’s recommended to come to Iceland a day before the tour starts so you can make it in time.

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.

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SOUTH ICELAND | ICELAND

Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell

4 days | Challenging

From $2,394 ()

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This corner of Southeast Iceland doesn’t do easy access or soft edges. It’s extra rugged, remote, and shaped by glaciers, rivers, and time, the kind of place you don’t stumble into by accident. This trek takes us from Kirkjubæjarklaustur into a wilder side of Southeast Iceland, where trails cut through deep canyons, past towering cliffs, and across black sand plains shaped by glaciers. We hike along Skeiðarárjökull, an outlet glacier spilling from Europe’s largest ice cap, cross glacial terrain dotted with streams and ice formations, and pass through vivid rhyolite mountains glowing in reds and yellows. Nights are spent camping out, days are fueled with hearty meals taken care of for us, and somewhere along the way, Iceland stops being a bucket-list destination and turns into something far more personal.

Einar

Adventure Highlights

Iceland in full color: Hike from black sand deserts and deep canyons to surreal rhyolite mountains painted in reds, yellows, and greens
Walk the edge: Walk along the edge of a massive outlet glacier, crossing icy terrain, streams, and landscapes shaped by moving ice
A glacier in our backyard: Camp in the wild beneath Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, far from roads, crowds, and anything ordinary

Duration

4 days

Season

July through August

Group size

Up to 12 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This Iceland wilderness tour is a multi-day trek through one of the country’s most remote and striking regions, linking Núpsstaðaskógar with Skaftafell. We hike through deep canyons, across black sand plains, and alongside the vast Skeiðarárjökull glacier, with ever-changing views shaped by ice and volcanic forces. Nights are spent camping in the wild, far from roads and crowds, while all meals and logistics are taken care of. Led by local experts, this is the kind of trip where we don’t just see Iceland, we earn it step by step.

Day 1: Into the canyons of Núpsstaðarskógar

We begin at the entrance to Núpsstaðarskógar valley, immediately diving into a landscape of towering cliffs and winding side canyons. The route keeps things interesting from the start, including a short 10-meter rock climb, assisted by a chain and rope, leading us to the dramatic double waterfall of Tvílitihylur. We continue along the Núpsá river, pass another waterfall, and push up a steep gully onto the wide plateau of Sléttur, where unique lava formations mark the end of a big first day.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi), 7 hours

Day 2: To the edge of Skeiðarárjökull

Today is a shorter day, giving us time to slow down and take it all in. We start with a climb up to Eggjar, where panoramic views open up over Skeiðarárjökull, a vast outlet glacier spilling from Europe’s largest ice cap. From here, we descend toward the glacier’s edge, setting up camp in a truly wild location. With time on our side, we explore the surrounding terrain, including the remnants of the former Grænalón lake, shaped and reshaped by shifting ice.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi), 5–6 hours

Day 3: Crossing the glacier

Today is the big one. We step onto the glacier and head east, moving across a surprisingly varied landscape of creeks, streams, black sand, and surreal ice formations, including sharp ice pyramids. As we progress, larger meltwater features appear, but we cross them with care and keep pushing forward. Entering Norðurdalur, a valley dominated by ice, we navigate around crevasses before finally stepping back onto solid ground. We end the day at “the Balcony,” a spectacular campsite with wide-open views over the terrain we’ve just crossed.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), 8 hours

Day 4: To Skaftafell, through Iceland’s greatest hits

We start with a climb along a narrow trail beneath the screes of Færneseggjar, reaching a high pass on the Kjósareggjar ridge. From here, we take in sweeping views of colorful rhyolite mountains, glacier-filled valleys, and Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur. We descend through a waterfall-filled valley, pass birch forests, and cross black sands before reaching Skaftafell and finishing the tour.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), 8 hours

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Adventure, packed to go

Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell

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

Einar

Having been raised by nature-loving parents, Einar has been an outdoor addict since a very early age. In 1989, at the age of 24, he started working full-time as a guide. Since Einar founded one of Iceland’s top outdoor travel companies, he is well-versed in trip planning and guiding—and he also has more certifications than we can count. He has been leading trekking tours, backpacking, glacier travel, avalanche training, mountaineering, and many other winter skills courses.

5.00

Kristinn

Originally from Iceland, Kristinn studied geography, during which time he worked as a National Park Ranger in one of Iceland’s national parks. Although he spent most of his life working as a graphic designer, Kristinn’s passion has always been travel and the outdoors. Recently he decided to take his professional life in a new direction—he became a guide and started working with his childhood friend Einar. Kristinn loves spending his time hiking, cycling, skiing, fishing, mountain biking, and cross country skiing.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 4-day Iceland wilderness tour (3 days of hiking)
  - Accommodation in tents in a camp for 3 nights
  - All meals, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4
  - Permits and fees
  - Camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
  - 4×4 vehicle for transfer to the starting point of the tour
Add-ons:
- - Sleeping bag — can be rented, please leave a note at checkout if you’re interested
Not included:
- - Flights
  - Airport transfers
  - Alcoholic beverages
  - Personal expenses
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
This Iceland wilderness tour is suitable for experienced hikers with great physical fitness. This is a 4-day trek through remote terrain, with full days spent hiking across black sand plains, rocky trails, and glacial landscapes. Expect to hike up to 16 km (10 mi) & 8 hours per day.

While we’ll be moving through rugged terrain shaped by ice and crossing streams along the way, no technical climbing or mountaineering experience is required. You should, however, feel confident on uneven ground and ready for several active days in a row.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking tours in Iceland here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Sleeping bag — can be rented
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Trekking boots and trousers
  - Fleece shirt
  - Warm and waterproof jacket
  - Rain gear
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Functional underwear
  - Hat
  - Gloves
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
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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For camping trips, a sleeping bag of comfort level 0° C to – 5° C (32 to 21°F) is advisable for a pleasant experience. If you don‘t have a suitable sleeping bag, you can rent one at checkout.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Iceland wilderness tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
An Iceland wilderness tour 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 wilderness tour 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 tent is not available on this Iceland wilderness tour because we’ll be sleeping in tents.
The starting point of your Iceland wilderness tour is Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small village in Southeast Iceland. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can rent a car to reach Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

You will meet your guide at the N1 station at 8 am in Kirkjubæjarklaustur on Day 1.

Due to the fact that you’re meeting with the guide early in the morning on Day 1, it’s recommended to come to Iceland a day before the tour starts so you can make it in time.
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.
Deposits

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.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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