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Iceland Hiking Tour: 6 Days Through the Highlands
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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 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.
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 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 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 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 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 Hiking Tour: 6 Days Through the Highlands
Itinerary
Iceland Hiking Tour: 6 Days Through the Highlands
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1 Person
  • Iceland Hiking Tour: 6 Days Through the Highlands - 1
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Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available

  • Six days. A continuous line through Iceland’s southern highlands. We start in Landmannalaugar and head straight into the interior, crossing rivers, moving through volcanic valleys, and walking into wide, open terrain where there are no roads and very few people. The landscapes shift as we go: bright rhyolite mountains, black sand plains, deep volcanic canyons, geothermal ground underfoot. We link remote huts along the way, keeping a steady pace from one to the next. Hot springs appear naturally along the route, not as stops, but as part of the day. It’s a focused, point-to-point hike through a part of Iceland we don’t just visit, but actually get across.

    • We meet early at 7 am at BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik and head into the highlands, crossing the wide plains of South Iceland beneath the Hekla volcano. By midday, we reach Landmannalaugar, where we set out on our first hike through its colorful rhyolite mountains and geothermal terrain. In the afternoon, we continue deeper into the highlands by bus to reach our hut near Sveinstindur, where we settle in and enjoy dinner before resting for the night.

      Meals: Dinner
      Accommodation: Mountain hut
      Hiking: 5–6 km (3–4 mi)

      Transport bus in Iceland

    • We follow the Skaftá River, moving through Hvanngil and into the canyon of Uxatindagljúfur between Uxatinda and Grettir. After emerging from the canyon, we climb up Biðil and continue through Skælingar toward our hut in Stóragil. Expect several river crossings along the way. The day also includes time for silent hiking, moments to pause, and optional journaling. In the evening, we prepare dinner together and gather in small groups to share reflections from the day.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Accommodation: Mountain hut
      Hiking: 18 km (11 mi)
      Elevation gain: 600–700 m (1,970–2,300 ft)

      Colorful hikers in Iceland

    • We follow the Skælinga route toward the edge of Eldgjá, one of the largest volcanic canyons in the world. We summit Gjátindur for sweeping views, then continue along the canyon’s southeast rim to reach the best viewpoint over Ófærufoss waterfall. From there, we descend into the canyon itself, getting a closer look before continuing through Kvíslarhólmar and along Lambaskarðshólar. The day ends in the striking valley of Álftavötn, where we settle into our hut and enjoy dinner.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Accommodation: Mountain hut
      Hiking: 27 km (16.8 mi)
      Elevation gain: 600 m (1,970 ft)

      Volcano hiking in Iceland

    • We spend the day crossing the highlands on lesser-used trails, moving through rhyolite mountains, green valleys, and geothermal areas. The terrain rolls, but much of the day follows wide, open valleys. Along the way, we stop at the remote hot pool of Strútslaug for a well-timed break. There is one short river crossing, using poles and wading shoes. By the end of the day, we reach Strútskáli, where a hot, prepared dinner is waiting for us.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Accommodation: Mountain hut
      Hiking: 21 km (13 mi)
      Elevation gain: 775 m (2,540 ft)

      Signpost in Iceland

    • We stay based at the hut and spend the day exploring the surrounding highlands. Depending on the weather, we may hike up Strútur, return to Strútslaug, or head toward the glacier and rhyolite landscapes of Torfajökull. It’s a more flexible day, with time to slow down, take it in, and spend longer in places we’ve moved quickly through before. We wrap it up with a proper dinner at the hut.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Accommodation: Mountain hut
      Hiking: up to 13 km (8 mi)
      Elevation gain: 425 m (1,395 ft)

      Stream cross in Iceland

    • We cross glacial sand deserts and wetlands shaped by Mýrdalsjökull, moving through the wide, open expanse of Mælifellssandur. It’s a stark, exposed landscape, very different from the days before. Toward the end, we can split into two groups, one taking a higher mountain route, the other continuing across the plains. We reach Hvanngil on the Laugavegur trail, where our bus meets us for the drive back to Reykjavik, arriving in the evening.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch
      Hiking: 16 km (10 mi)
      Elevation gain: 169 m (555 ft)

      Highlands vista

    • Included:

        • An experienced hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 6-day Iceland highlands hiking tour
        • Accommodation for 5 nights in mountain huts (shared dormitory-style rooms)
        • All meals (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
        • Transportation from Reykjavik to the highlands and vice versa

      Not included:

        • Flights
        • Sleeping bags
        • Showers — can be paid on site
        • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
        • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
        • Guide gratuities — optional

    • This is a challenging hike that requires great fitness. It’s recommended to prepare in advance with regular day hikes, ideally carrying an 8–10 kg (18–22 lb) backpack.

      You’ll be spending full days on the trail, covering distances of up to 27 km (16.8 mi) and gaining up to 775 m (2,540 ft) in elevation. The terrain includes river crossings and uneven ground, so you should feel comfortable moving steadily for several hours at a time.

      Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland hiking tours here!

    • Clothing:

        • Layered clothing system: moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and waterproof outer layer
        • Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
        • Hat and gloves
        • Buff or neck gaiter
        • High-quality, moisture-wicking socks
        • River crossing shoes (lightweight sneakers or sandals)

      Personal items & gear:

        • Daypack (20–40L)
        • Extra bag for luggage you won’t carry on the hike (preferably waterproof)
        • Trekking poles (recommended for river crossings, can be shared if needed)
        • Sleeping bag
        • Water bottle or hydration pack
        • Headlamp or torch

      Food & extras:

        • Snacks (meals are provided, but bring your favorites)

      Toiletries & essentials:

        • Sunglasses and sunscreen
        • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)
        • Towel
        • Earplugs
        • Dry change of clothes

      Optional:

        • Camera
        • Notebook and pen (or coloring pencils)

      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 highlands hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 9:1. 
        • It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 18 participants.

      An Iceland highlands hiking 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.

      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 highlands hiking tour because you’ll be sleeping in shared dormitories and there are no single occupancy rooms in mountain huts.

    • The starting point of your Iceland highlands hiking tour is Reykjavik. To get there, most people fly into Keflavik Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Reykjavik.

      You will meet your guide at 7 am at the BSI bus terminal Reykjavik on Day 1, so it’s recommended that you arrive in Reykjavik a day before because the tour starts quite early 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.

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