Overview
The north of Iceland holds the country’s best secrets, from Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, to brilliant blue Lake Mývatn, surrounded by a geothermal wonderland. With our Icelandic Trip Leaders, we’ll head far from the tourist circuit for spectacular hikes. Our trails take us to 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 charming Húsavík, on the lookout for humpback, minke, and blue whales.
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
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Reykjavík, Iceland / Snæfellsnes Peninsula
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, dramatic mountains plunge into the sea. We hike around the perfect crater rim of Eldborg volcano and along a magnificent coastal route with Snæfellsjökull Volcano as a backdrop.
Days 3-4
Eiríksstaðir / Akureyri / Tröllaskagi Peninsula
En route to Akureyri, we visit Eiríksstaðir, where Erik the Red and his son Leif Eiríksson had their longhouse, for fascinating insights into the Viking era. From the coastal village of Dalvík, we hike in the surreal mountains of the Tröllaskagi Peninsula (“Peninsula of the Trolls”), with its legends of mythical creatures.
Days 5-6
Lake Mývatn / Krafla Volcano
After visiting the thundering cascade of Goðafoss, we hike amid Dimmuborgir’s volcanic arches and along the colorful lava flows at Krafla. We’ll enjoy a thermal soak at Mývatn baths, a remote and much more local version of Reykjavík’s “Blue Lagoon.”
Days 7-8
Vatnajökull National Park / Dettifoss / Húsavík / Whale Watching
In Vatnajökull National Park, we see the enormous Dettifoss waterfall and hike past columnar basalt formations into Ásbyrgi Canyon, known in Icelandic legend as the “shelter of the gods.” Our journey ends at Húsavík with whale watching aboard a ship with an electric engine—no noise or fumes! Depart on Day 8 via Akureyri.
Iceland: Off the Beaten Path
Highlights
Highlights
Details
6 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails, some steep sections, 4-8 hours a day, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day's hike)
