10 Best Day Hikes in Iceland

Looking for a trek or hike in Iceland? Iceland has some of the most beautiful scenic treks available for any avid hiker. Many of the popular hikes include views of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and Northern Lights. With these amazing sights, one must experience them personally rather than through pictures on the internet. There are many advantages and disadvantages to different hikes and you must choose what is right for you and anyone that may be accompanying you on your trip.

Glaciers and ice caps make up more than 10% of the entire land area of Iceland. That equates to just under 12,000 km² of Iceland’s 103,125 km². So it’s safe to say that if you plan on visiting Iceland in the near future, you’ll most likely come face to face with huge masses of slow moving ice. Brr. And if the thought of giant frozen rivers of ice doesn’t fill you with enough awe already, many of Iceland’s glaciers hide volcanic activity. For example, active volcanoes such as Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga are hiding under the Vatnajökull ice cap. Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice, after all. In no particular order, here’s a list of the top 10 glaciers in Iceland for you to visit!

There is little argument that The Blue Lagoon is the premier hot spring destination on an Iceland tour. With its blue waters, luxurious facilities, and world class service; it is a hard destination to beat for a day of rest and relaxation. But this wonderful getaway is not alone in “The Land of Fire and Ice.” Iceland’s abundant geothermal activity, combined with the ample supply of glacial ice, combine to make Iceland one of the top hot springs destinations in the world. As you work your way down the list (that has been set in no particular order), you will come across hot springs that are more rustic, remote, and adventurous, than the Blue Lagoon. Please below find the Top 10 Best Hot Springs in Iceland:

Tucked away in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is a country of remarkable landscapes shaped by volcanic activities and glaciers over thousands of years. Its natural features are starkly diverse and otherworldly. Volcanoes, geothermal pools, glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls can all be covered on your Iceland trip, and within a short duration. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 10 best places to visit in Iceland—from the bustling streets of Reykjavík to the remote wilderness of the Westfjords—that you can follow during your trip to the Land of Fire and Ice.

Water certainly can take many mesmerizing shapes and forms. However, is there anything more impressive than water naturally being expelled into the air from a crater on the Earth’s surface? Since their discovery, geysers have fascinated mankind. As a fairly rare sight that can only usually be found in active volcanic areas, some people travel the world just to experience one. Iceland is a geyser hotspot with over 50 active and dormant geysers. So naturally, geyser-seekers flock there. The country is home to some of the world’s most famous and impressive geysers. In fact, the word ‘geyser’ originated from Iceland. The term first came about when The Great Geysir (see below) erupted on the island in the 14th century. With so much to see on your Iceland trip, we’ve compiled a list of geysers in Iceland that you simply cannot miss.

Looking for the ultimate road trip? Look no further than Iceland's iconic Ring Road. Circling the island country for approximately 1,332 kilometers (828 miles), the Ring Road offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes you'll ever encounter: glaciers, icebergs, fjords, waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, volcanic mountains, and smoking craters. Also known as Route 1, Iceland's Ring Road commences its mesmerizing loop from the capital Reykjavik, guiding you through an unforgettable expedition. Explore the serene Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where massive icebergs float serenely, or venture into Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier and incredible ice caves. Discover the mystical beauty of the East Fjords, with their dramatic cliffs and charming fishing villages, or visit the otherworldly Mývatn area, known for its geothermal wonders and unique volcanic formations. Driving the entire Ring Road typically takes around eight to 10 days, but you can customize your journey to suit your needs. Let the adventure unfold as you embark on a well-rounded Ring Road trip in Iceland!

In the dead of winter, when everything appears as a seamless blanket of white, cathedrals of blue crystal are formed deep within the heart of Iceland’s glaciers. Ice caves in Iceland are forever changing caverns of ice blue light. Created every winter, before they begin to drip in the spring sunlight, you can never step into the same ice cave twice. With such a short window of time in which to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of these crystal structures, ice cave tours in Iceland can fill up quickly. So make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Ice caves are sure to create lasting memories of a frozen world tinged in cool blue light. As the massive bulk of the glacier compresses the ice and it travels further away from the sunlight, air is pushed out and ice crystals become shockingly clear blue in colour. We recommend some of the best places to go see ice caves in Iceland.

Nestled in the Icelandic highlands, right on the edge of the black Laugahraun lava field, you will find Landmannalaugar. Well known for its natural geothermal hot springs (the name ‘Landmannalaugar’ translates to 'the people’s pools') and a stunning rugged landscape, Landmannalaugar is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve and is most commonly visited by hikers as it is situated at the northern end of the famous Laugavegur hiking trail. Planning a visit to Landmannalaugar to take advantage of its spectacular hikes? Here’s all you need to know before you go!

No matter where you decide to spend your time in Iceland, the chances are you’ll come across a glacier or two. These gigantic hulks of moving ice are hard to miss after all, especially when Iceland has approximately 269 named glaciers! That accounts for 11% of the entire land area of the country. The largest by far is Vatnajokull, which covers 8,300 sq. km. 3 times the size of Luxembourg! There’s no doubt that glaciers are a huge part of the country’s tourism and plenty of Iceland glacier tours are available to explore these natural wonders. So, what’s on offer? First of all, there are two main formats for glacier tours in Iceland. Tours will either begin from a meeting point in Reykjavik or on location. Tours which begin in Reykjavik are great if you don’t have a means of transport or don’t feel confident navigating the Icelandic roads. If you’re not staying in Reykjavik or you’re ready to get out on the open road, choosing a tour that starts right on location may give you more freedom!

It can be said that Iceland owes its very existence to the majestic volcanoes that cover the land of fire and ice. The American and the Eurasian tectonic plates split Iceland down the middle from South to North, meaning that the spreading process of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be witnessed on land. In total, Iceland has around 130 volcanoes, with 30 of them being active. If you didn’t already think Iceland was a land of mystery and power, read on to find out about 10 of their most impressive volcanoes in Iceland.

Iceland currently has three national parks in all, the largest of which is made up of what was once five different protected areas. These parks encompass a diverse range of geographical features, from the glacial ice cap of Vatnajökull and the volcanic deserts of Skaftafell to thundering waterfalls like Dettifoss and geothermal areas like Krýsuvík. They represent Iceland's efforts to preserve its natural beauty and ecosystems while also making them accessible to the public. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, here’s everything you need to know about its national parks.

Stretching more than 300 kilometres or 190 miles, the Golden Circle in Southern Iceland is the most popular tourist routes. The name Golden Circle, or “gullni hringurinn” in Icelandic, refers to the circular route that loops all the way from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, to the country’s southern uplands and back. The gold part of the name originates from one of the most notable stops along the route, the Gullfoss waterfall, which means Golden waterfall. In addition to Gullfoss, there are two main attractions along the route; the Thingvellir National Park and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, which is comprised of the two geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Other notable stops along the route include the Kerid volcanic crater, the town of Hveragerdi, and the Skalholt cathedral. While all areas in Iceland are famous for being beautiful, The Golden Circle region covers a large part of the tours in Iceland, travel-related activities, and some of the most scenic highlights in the whole country. Below we enlist eight important landmarks and attractions in the Golden Circle (not in any particular order).