Hiking Adventures in the Uncrowded North
Northern Iceland: Off the Beaten Path
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. We’ll head out for 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 charming 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 on a wooden ship with an electric engine—no noise or fumes
- Stay in welcoming hotels, enjoy extraordinary cuisine
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 town of
Siglufjörður, just 25 miles from the Arctic Circle, we visit 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.”
After visiting the horseshoe-shaped cascade of Godafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, we head to Lake Mývatn, passing through surreal geothermal landscapes of bubbling mudpots. We'll enjoy a thermal soak at Mývatn baths, a smaller version of Reykjavík's famous Blue Lagoon.
In Vatnajökull National Park, we see the enormous Dettifoss waterfall and hike past columnar basalt formations into Ásbyrgi Canyon. 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.
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. Hiking poles are highly recommended (we provide poles to those who do not wish to pack their own).
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 (provided).
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
"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
"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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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.