The 15 Best Hikes in Iceland: Day Hikes and Multi-Day Treks

How we ranked these Iceland hiking trails

We weighed scenery, variety, trail quality and how well each hike represents a side of Iceland you will not see from the Ring Road. Accessibility matters too: a spectacular route that only opens for a few weeks or needs a 4x4 on F-roads ranks a little lower than one most visitors can actually reach. Difficulty was not penalised, but we flag it clearly so you can match a trail to your fitness and experience. Seasons vary year to year. Highland trails usually open from late June to early September, while many lowland day hikes in the south and around Reykjavík can be walked for much of the year in suitable conditions.

Best day hikes in Iceland (1–8)

These are the best hiking trails in Iceland if you have a single day and a car or a seat on a tour. Most are well marked and doable for anyone with reasonable fitness, though a few involve steep ground or exposure. The order reflects overall experience rather than difficulty, so check the distance and terrain on each trail page before committing. Several of these, including Landmannalaugar and Kerlingarfjöll, are only reachable when highland roads are open in summer.

• 1. Fimmvörðuháls (23 km, challenging) – Climb from Skógafoss past more than 20 waterfalls, cross the 2010 eruption craters Magni and Móði, and descend into Þórsmörk. Arguably the best single day hike in the country.
• 2. Landmannalaugar: Brennisteinsalda & Bláhnúkur (11 km, moderate) – Rhyolite mountains streaked orange, green and purple, steaming vents and an obsidian lava field, finished with a soak in the natural hot spring.
• 3. Skaftafell: Kristínartindar Loop (18 km, challenging) – A big-day loop in Vatnajökull National Park with sweeping views over glacier tongues and the Skeiðarársandur outwash plain.
• 4. Glymur Waterfall (6.5 km, moderate) – A canyon hike to one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, with a cave passage and a log river crossing on the classic loop.
• 5. Kerlingarfjöll: Hveradalir (3.5 km, moderate) – Boardwalks and ridges through one of the most colourful geothermal areas in the highlands.
• 6. Stuðlagil Canyon (9.5 km, easy) – Walk the east side of the canyon to see basalt columns framing a turquoise river at its best in late summer.
• 7. Reykjadalur Hot Spring (8 km, easy) – A steaming valley near Hveragerði with a warm river you can bathe in at the end.
• 8. Mount Esja: Þverfellshorn (7 km, moderate) – Reykjavík's local mountain, with a steep final scramble and views across Faxaflói bay.

More great day hikes (9–12)

These shorter or lesser-known Icelandic hiking trails are excellent additions to a road trip, especially along the south coast and in the east. None of them needs more than half a day, which makes them easy to slot between longer drives. They are also good fallbacks when wind or fog rules out a bigger mountain day, as most stay relatively low and are well trodden. Expect busier car parks at Svartifoss in midsummer and quieter trails at Þakgil and Hengifoss.

• 9. Svartifoss (5 km, easy) – The classic Skaftafell walk to a waterfall framed by hanging basalt columns.
• 10. Þakgil Red Trail (12 km, challenging) – A steep, quiet loop over Mælifell near Vík with views towards Mýrdalsjökull.
• 11. Múlagljúfur Canyon (5 km, moderate) – A once-secret canyon near Fjallsárlón with waterfalls and glacier views; steep edges, so take care.
• 12. Hengifoss (4.5 km, easy) – A steady climb in East Iceland to a tall waterfall set against red-banded basalt, passing Litlanesfoss on the way.

Best multi-day hikes in Iceland (13–15)

Multi-day treks are where Iceland really shows its scale. Plan these well ahead: huts book out, buses run on summer-only schedules and weather can force you to wait a day. Each of these routes needs full self-sufficiency between stops, including food, a sleeping bag, waterproofs and a reliable way to navigate in fog. Book huts or boat transfers first, then build the rest of your trip around those fixed dates.

• 13. Laugavegur Trail (55 km, 3–4 days) – Iceland's most famous trek, from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk through rhyolite hills, ice fields, black deserts and birch woodland. Add Fimmvörðuháls to make it a 5–6 day traverse to Skógar.
• 14. Strútsstígur (45 km, 3–4 days) – A quieter alternative to the Laugavegur skirting Mýrdalsjökull, with fewer people, hot springs and big empty landscapes.
• 15. Hornstrandir: Hesteyri to Hornvík (23 km, 2–3 days) – A wilderness reserve in the far Westfjords reached by boat, with no roads, no shops and towering bird cliffs. For experienced, self-sufficient hikers only.

Choosing the right trail for you

If this is your first Iceland trip and you have limited time, base yourself on the south coast: Fimmvörðuháls, Svartifoss, Kvernufoss, Þakgil and Reynisfjall are all within a few hours of each other. If you want the highlands, Landmannalaugar is the easiest gateway, with summer buses and a day-hike network right outside the hut. For multi-day trekking, the Laugavegur has the best infrastructure, with huts roughly a day apart. Hornstrandir and Strútsstígur reward people who want solitude and are comfortable navigating in poor visibility. Whatever you choose, check the forecast on vedur.is and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel.is before heading out.

When to hike these trails

Most of this list is best from late June to early September. Highland routes depend on F-roads opening, which usually happens in late June but can slip into July after a snowy winter. Lowland walks like Svartifoss, Kvernufoss, Reykjadalur and Reynisfjall work in spring and autumn too, and some can be done in winter with microspikes and good judgement. September brings fewer people, autumn colours and the first northern lights, but also more storms and shorter days. If you are set on the Laugavegur, aim for July or August when huts and buses are fully operating.