Hiking Adventures in Awe-Inspiring Landscapes
Northern Iceland: Off the Beaten Path
Overview
The north of Iceland holds many of the country’s wonders, from Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, to brilliant blue Lake Mývatn and the enchanting village of Siglufjörður, nestled at the end of a fjord. We’ll enjoy spectacular hikes on the Peninsula of the Trolls, along the black-sand beaches and bird cliffs of Snæfellsnes, and through Ásbyrgi Canyon, home to huldufólk (hidden people—Iceland’s elves and trolls). We’ll finish with whale watching in Húsavík, on the lookout for humpback, minke, and blue whales.
Arrive: Reykjavík, Iceland
Depart: Akureyri, Iceland
Highlights
- Escape the crowds and experience Iceland’s northern landscapes
- Explore spectacular volcanic landscapes and rugged coastlines that offer a range of hikes
- Go whale watching in search of minke, humpback, and maybe even blue whales
- Soak in the geothermal landscape of Mývatn and Forest Lagoon in Akureyri
Itinerary
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a realm of wild beaches, fishing villages, lava fields, and peaks jutting out of the sea, we hike around the crater rim of Eldborg Volcano and along a magnificent coastal trail, with ice-capped Snæfellsjökull Volcano as a backdrop.
En route to the charming village of Siglufjörður, just 25 miles from the Arctic Circle, we stop at Eiríksstaðir, the former homestead of the famed Viking explorers Erik the Red and his son Leif Erikson. On the remote Tröllaskagi Peninsula, we hike in the sweeping landscapes of a glacial-alpine realm that seems a fitting terrain for trolls, elves, and other mythical creatures of Iceland’s “hidden people.”
The spectacular cascade at Aldeyjarfoss is one of northern Iceland’s hidden gems, and we’ll also visit the famed Goðafoss waterfall. We head to Lake Mývatn through surreal landscapes and relax with a soak at Mývatn baths, a smaller version of Reykjavík’s Blue Lagoon.
In Vatnajökull National Park, we see the enormous Dettifoss waterfall and hike past columnar basalt formations into Ásbyrgi Canyon, steeped in Icelandic folklore. Our journey ends at Húsavík with a whale-watching excursion to look for minke, humpback, and possibly blue whales! Depart on Day 8 via Akureyri.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3+, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It features daily mountain hikes and hotel accommodations throughout. The hikes can be considered strenuous because they are on undefined, steep trails or through some rocky or wet terrain.
Average Hiking Day
- 6-7 miles
- 4 hours
- 1,100' ascent/descent
Challenge Day
- Day 4: 7 miles, 8 hours, 2,080' ascent/descent
Some of the ascents and descents are steep, and the rugged terrain includes ankle-deep bogs, stony paths, and cross-country travel over open ground. Rain can bring on mud, which makes footing tricky as well. Sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots are essential. Gaiters are not required but will protect your pant legs from getting wet when we hike through boggy areas. Hiking poles are highly recommended (we provide poles to those who do not wish to pack their own).
For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Temperatures should be in the mid 50s, perfect for hiking. The weather can provide spectacular clear days but can also be very wet, cold, and changeable, and we want you to be well prepared for all you may encounter. Icelandic weather is always unpredictable, so you must come prepared for at least some rain and bring appropriate rain gear. It is unlikely that it will be hot. The winds can be strong and very cold, even on sunny days.
The weather will dictate our exact hiking itinerary. Trip members need to remain flexible in consideration of inclement weather that may require changes, such as substituting different hiking routes, canceling hikes, or switching the days of certain hikes.
Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Client Testimonials
"Fabulous trip to Northern Iceland!! It would be hard to pinpoint our favorite natural wonders as everything we experienced was stunning! We loved every minute of the adventure and will be seeking out additional WT trips in the future."
Christine L.
Leawood, KS
"Great trip, saw the highlights of Northern Iceland, and the hikes were well chosen—good scenery and a good difficulty level for the group."
Craig S.
San Francisco, CA
"The itinerary design was just perfect. A nice combination of long and short, easy and hard hikes so that we were challenged but not overwhelmed."
Don P.
Philadelphia, PA
"A truly amazing trip. Iceland has spectacular landscapes that offer a range of hiking and our leader customized each day to optimize the choices consistent with the weather. We covered seafronts, mountains, area around craters, geysers, and forests awash with flowers and resplendent with birds plus a whale watching trip. Food was brilliant and the best of Iceland."
Joan G.
Portola Valley, CA
"The itinerary was great, with full days of hiking but also time to wander the cities once we got in."
Kelly S.
Glendora, CA
"Iceland is just an amazing place and we saw so much of it in such a short time. And what we saw was just gorgeous and interesting. I can’t recommend the trip highly enough. It was one of the more amazing trips that I have been on with WT. I have to admit I’m a confirmed addict of your trips. They have all enriched my life considerably and I am truly grateful that your company exists."
Sara H.
Calabasas, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.