A guidebook to 49 day walks and 10 multi-day treks in Iceland. From short, waymarked walks to challenging glacier crossings, there is something for walkers of all levels of fitness and experience. 

The day walks range in length from 5 to 35km (3–22 miles) and can be enjoyed in 2–10 hours. The multi-day treks vary in length from 34 to 143km (21–89 miles), take between 2 and 9 days to complete, and include the classic Laugavegur Trail and Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland's highest mountain.

• Sketch maps included for each walk
• Detailed information on public transport, accommodation and facilities
• Advice on planning and preparation
• Highlights include Vatnajökull National Park

Map key
Location of walks

Introduction

Location
Geology and landscape
Wildlife
National parks
Getting to Iceland
Getting around Iceland
When to go
Accommodation
Food and drink
Money
Communications
Language
Tourist information offices
What to take
Health and safety
River crossings
Emergencies
Footpaths, waymarking and access
Maps
Using this guide

1 Reykjavík, Reykjanes and Hengill

Walk 1 Reykjavík and Seltjarnarnes
Walk 2 Þverfellshorn from Esjustofa
Walk 3 Keflavík to Grindavík
Walk 4 Grindavík to Vogar
Walk 5 Grindavík and Prestastígur
Walk 6 Krýsuvík and Krísuvíkurbjarg
Walk 7 Seltún and Kleifarvatn
Walk 8 Seltún and Djúpavatn
Walk 9 Þingvellir and Skógarkot
Walk 10 Hveragerði and Reykjadalur
Walk 11 Ölfusvatn and Ölkelduháls
Walk 12 Hellisheiði to Hveragerði
Walk 13 Nesjavellir and Vörðuskeggi
Trek 1 The Reykjavegur

2 Fjallabak and Þórsmörk

Walk 14 Landmannalaugar and Suðurnámur
Walk 15 Landmannalaugar and Bláhnukúr
Walk 16 Hvanngilshauser and Tangafoss
Walk 17 Þórsmörk and Valahnúkur
Walk 18 Fljótsdalur and Þórólfsfell
Walk 19 Vestmannaeyjar – Heimaey
Trek 2 Hellismannaleið, Laugavegur and Skógar Trail

3 Skaftafell and Vatnajökull

Walk 20 Sandfell and Hvannadalshnúkur
Walk 21 Svinafellsjökull and Hrútsfjall
Walk 22 Skaftafell and Kristínartindar
Walk 23 Skaftafell and Svartifoss
Walk 24 Skaftafell and Morsárdalur
Walk 25 Jökulsárlón – Glacier Lagoon

4 Snæfell and Lónsöræfi

Walk 26 Snæfellsskáli and Snæfell
Trek 3 The Lónsöræfi Trail

5 Egilsstaðir and the Eastfjords

Walk 27 Egilsstaðir and Fardagafoss
Walk 28 Neðri-Stafur and Seyðisfjörður
Walk 29 Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss
Walk 30 Hallormsstaðaskógur
Walk 31 Vatnsskarð and Stórurð
Trek 4 The Víknaslóðir

6 Jökulsárgljúfur

Walk 32 Ásbyrgi and Áshöfði
Walk 33 Svinadalur and Rauðhólar
Walk 34 Selfoss and Dettifoss
Trek 5 The Jökulsárhlaup

7 Akureyri and Eyjafjörður

Walk 35 Akureyri and Súlur
Walk 36 Eyjafjörður and Hrísey
Walk 37 Grímsey

8 Kverkfjöll and Askja

Walk 38 Kverkfjöll and Hveradalur
Walk 39 Herðubreiðarlindir
Trek 6 The Askja Trail
Trek 7 The Mývatn Trail

9 Sprengisandur and Kjölur

Walk 40 Nýidalur and Kaldagil
Walk 41 Nýidalur and Sprengisandur
Trek 8 The Kjölur Trails

10 Hornstrandir Peninsula

Trek 9 The Hornstrandir Trail

11 The Westfjords

Walk 42 Hnífsdalur, Bolungarvík and Ísafjörður
Walk 43 Suðureyri to Flateyri
Walk 44 Þingeyri and Kaldbakur
Walk 45 Helluskarð and Lómfell
Walk 46 Foss to Krossholt
Walk 47 Brunnaverstöð and Látrabjarg
Walk 48 Brjánslækur and Surtarbrandsgil
Walk 49 Flatey and Breiðafjörður

12 Snæfellsjökull and Snaefellsnes

Trek 10 The Snæfellsjökull and Snaefellsnes Trail

Appendix A Route summary tables
Appendix B Glossary of place-name elements
Appendix C Further information

Seasons

summer season - highland roads don't open until mid-June and many tourist services close at the end of August; low-lying coastal areas, particularly in the south-west, can be walked from spring to autumn; winter effectively closes the vast bulk of routes to ordinary walkers

Centres

Most towns and villages are not well-placed for walking; essential to travel from place to place, and even far into the interior, to enjoy some of the most scenic and interesting trails

Difficulty

from short and easy routes to tough and steep, over anything from easy to rugged terrain, as well as long-distance routes; no special equipment needed for the easy routes; full backpacking equipment needed for long-distance trails; ropes, ice axe, crampons and experience essential on most glacier walks

Must See

amazing volcanic and glacial landscapes; geothermal areas; the coastline and off-islands and the remote interior; Iceland's highest mountain - Hvannadalshnúkur

November 2023

Walks 3, 4 & 5 and Reykjavegur stages 6 & 7

June 2022

2022 reprint route updates

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