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Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell
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Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options. Booking fees are non-refundable after 48hours in all cases.
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Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% 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 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell
Itinerary
Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell
Date(s)
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People
1 Person
  • Iceland Wilderness Hiking Tour: Núpsstaðaskógar to Skaftafell - 1
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    Booking fees
    Group discount
    People
    Cancellation policy
Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available

  • 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.

    • 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

      Double waterfall in Iceland

    • 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

      Setting up camp in Iceland

    • 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

      Glacier in Iceland

    • 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

      Rhyolite landscape in Iceland

    • 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.

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • 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.

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