Explore the extraordinary landscapes of Iceland, a land shaped by fire and ice, with a guidebook that brings both day walks and multi-day treks together in one comprehensive resource. From short waymarked routes through coastal scenery and geothermal areas to longer treks across glaciers and volcanic plateaus, this country offers something for walkers of every fitness and experience level.

This trusted guidebook to Walking and Trekking in Iceland presents a complete collection of 49 day walks and 10 multi-day treks, offering around 100 days of walking on Iceland’s remarkable terrain. Among the highlights are the classic multi-day Laugavegur Trail across southern Iceland, famous for its striking rhyolite mountains, steaming hot springs, and vivid geothermal valleys. It also covers Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest mountain, where walkers can enjoy spectacular views from its glacier-covered summit.

• The day walks, ranging from short excursions of roughly 5 to 35km (3–22 miles), can be completed in 2–10 hours and are ideal for exploring local areas, highlights close to town and Icelandic national parks such as Vatnajökull National Park
• The multi-day treks vary in length from approximately 34 to 143km (21–89 miles), offering rewarding adventures for experienced hikers
• Practical guidance is included for every route, with sketch maps and detailed information on public transport, accommodation and facilities, helping you tailor your planning to your holiday
• Expert author Paddy Dillon gives advice on preparation and logistics, explaining how to navigate Iceland’s summer and highland season conditions, supporting safe and confident exploration over glacial crossings

Iceland is a destination that offers hikers an exciting blend of empty landscapes, volcanoes, and glaciers. This comprehensive Iceland guidebook equips you with all you need to discover the country's wild beauty in a way that is accessible, rewarding, and unforgettable for walkers of all abilities.

Author Top Tip

“Never pass a tourist information office without a good browse. You often find free maps, some of them good enough for walks. They offer advice about accommodation, attractions and transport, as well as providing the latest weather forecast."

- Paddy Dillon, author of Walking and Trekking in Iceland 

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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