Walking Tours
Iceland

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Walking Tours of Iceland, why there?
There are dozens of interesting geological features and a barren yet invigorating wilderness area.
Coastal walking could be combined with whale and dolphin watching trips as sea life is abundant - even the cod are allowed to live to a reasonable age in these rich and vigorously defended fishing grounds.
For bird loving walkers it's one of the main breeding grounds for waterfowl in Europe and outstanding for ducks.
The glaciers are excellent for ice climbing though dangerous to normal hikers, so best left to ice adrenaline addicts.
Cute Icelandic ponies can carry either you or your kit.
Downside: there are few well marked paths in Iceland.
Guided walks in groups are the norm.
Compasses and polar magnetism adjustment charts with good maps are essential in the Highlands and other remote regions.

When to go on hiking tours:
Best: July-Sept though June can be reasonable.
The rocks can get pretty hot but they are no match for the freezing grasp of the Arctic Circle, though the Gulf stream keeps the country temperate.
During the summer months weather changes can be dramatic, so travel in summer as if just above the snow line in a regular mountainous region i.e. carry emergency clothing against the elements, some kind of emergency shelter, food and drink.
Worst: Nov-Feb, you'll be lucky to see where you are going let alone have a holiday with only 3-4 hours daylight a day.

Where to go on walking tours:
Pretty much anywhere that you can't sink into or fall into is walkable, and there are a couple of tours which are well enough known to be mentioned. Otherwise take maps and a compass and enjoy the many rocktastic opportunities:

North Iceland: hike through the Jokulsargljufur National Park following the Grand Canyon for a day or two and check out Dettifoss, Selfoss, Hafragilsfoss and Rettarfoss waterfalls.
Take a picnic at Asbyrgi and admire the cliff weirdness and get to meet the 'Rock'.
Wear mosquito repellent while hiking around Lake Myvatn 'midge lake' and swim in the warm waters of Viti crater to freshen up afterwards.
You may also want to walk to Huna Bay to see Hvitserkur the rock monster, and let yourself be guided to the lighthouse at Kalfshamar Cove.

Western Fjords: watch birds through binoculars on the Latrabjarg Cliffs, walk to the Sod Farm Barmar for the great view there, and climb up Mt Vadalfjoll volcanic plugs for more views.

West Iceland: walk around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula Park but be sure to follow Jules Verne's journey to the centre of the earth by climbing Snaefell mountain - though don't be surprised if your trip to the earth's core is blocked by several hundred feet of ice.
Walking up the Eldborg 'Fire Castle' volcanic crater is pretty cool.
You can wander into the Surtshellir-Stefanshellir and Vidgelmir Lava Caves but don't try that at the Deildartunga Hot Spring.

East Iceland: Djupivogur, a fishing village, is surrounded by some excellent walking possibilities.
Take a look at the icebergs in Jokulsarlon 'Glacier Lagoon' and walk along the coastline around Borgarfiord and Lodmundarfiord.
Climb Mt Dyrfjoll 'Door Mountain' for views from the pass.
View the ridges at Fagriholl and visit Bakkagerdi with its sod house, and Elf hill if you believe in fairies.
Get to Hvarnes farm for the best view of Mt East Horn.
Check out the Vestdalur Nature reserve and Mt Bjolfur.

The Central Highlands: take a map and compass, and a guide, or possibly both, and do not go on solitary walking tours.
Leave glacier crossings to well equipped experts.
There are bogs here which will swallow you and your backpack whole as well as caves which will do your head in if given half a chance, so
travel at least with a buddy and let people know your route.
Make sure your navigational skills are adequate if you are travelling without a guide.

Walk around the Vatnajokull Ice Cap and Mt Oraefajokull.
Trek along the obsidian lava field at Hrafntinnusker 'Obsidian Skerry' and visit the scenic Torfajokull volcano and glacier in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Visit the 'The Bony Mound' to remind you that the highlands can be a dangerous place and Eyjabakka to see pink footed geese.
Cross the black 'desert' at Emstrur and if you manage to find the beautiful Herdubreidarlindir oasis on your Highlands journey, take comfort in the fact that it isn't a mirage.

Porsmork to Landmannalaugar: these classic walking tours can be completed in under five days at a moderate pace. There are a few markings as the route is popular with the natives, but these are not to be relied upon.
The trek takes in some stunning sights including the Laugaharn lava flow, the Storihver hots springs, the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, the Kaldalkofsfjoll ice cap, the Tindfjallajokul and Myradalsjokull glaciers.

South West Iceland: do some partying in Reykjavik before popping out to see Raudholar mounds and Mt Esja.
The 'Steamy Peninsula' Reykjanes is worth consideration if coastlines are your thing.

South Iceland: avoiding other travellers may be tricky but Geysir geyser and its mate Stukkar geyser will make the short hike between them worthwhile - one of them is bound to spout its mouth off. You may as well see two waterfalls too, so try to Gullfoss and Skogarfoss.
Lots of geothermal activity can be found at Gufudalur the 'steam valley' including a 30ft geyser called Gryla and lots of bubbling mud and steam in general.
Take the weight off your feet and journey by boat around the Westman Islands and especially Surtsey and the Klettshellir Cave by boat but if you are still itching to walk get off at Heimey and walk to the Heimaklettur volcano - this threw a hissy fit 30 years ago and had the islanders in their boats.

For more Iceland information see, Walking Tours - Links | Pyrenees | Alps | France | Italy | Greece

Also, see New Zealand, Canada, and UK walking pages