Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKES AND HOT SPRINGS
In a country whose scenery is so iconic, and whose historical events are inextricably wrapped
up with its landscape, the only real way to get to grips with Iceland is to get
outdoors
. It's
where many Icelanders choose to spend their free time, too, though they often seem to have a
fearless disregard for the weather, geological events and other natural hazards that foreigners
take sensible precautions against.
Iceland's
hiking
trails are easy to get to, yet feel wonderfully remote and wild: on some
of them it's possible to walk for days and not see anyone. The country is also small enough
that it's feasible to simply pick two points on a map and walk between them - assuming, of
course, that you're suitably equipped for any natural hazards along the way - though there
are also many well-marked trails heading off across the landscape. After a hike, take the
plunge in one of Iceland's many naturally heated outdoor “
hot pots
”, often in stunningly
scenic locations, where you can peel off your clothes and soak any aches away while
admiring the surrounding mountains, volcanoes and seascapes. The top three spots for an
outdoor soak are Landmannalaugar in southwestern Iceland (see p.116), Grettislaug in the
northwest (see p.222) and Krossneslaug in the West Fjords (see p.209). And if you prefer
more formal arrangements, just about every settlement across the country has its own
geothermally heated swimming pool, too.
ICELANDIC HIKES: SIX OF THE BEST
Laugavegur
An epic four-day hike over
snowfields, moorland and desert between
hot springs at Landmannalaugar and the
highland valley of Þórsmörk: see p.117.
Jökulsárgljúfur
Straightforward though
lengthy trails follow a glacier river canyon
down to Europe's largest waterfall: see p.261.
Hornstrandir
You can spend days hiking
across this totally unpopulated peninsula,
which is probably the wildest, most remote
corner of Iceland that is still accessible:
see p.191.
Þórsmörk
Isolated glacier valley in the
southwest, covered in dwarf birch and
wildflowers, with almost limitless hiking
potential: see p.125.
Skaftafell
Easily reached moorland plateau
between two glaciers, with plenty of
well-marked trails of up to a day's duration:
see p.298.
Skógar to Þórsmörk
Relatively
straightforward 25km hike over mountains
and snowfields, passing solidified lava from
the 2010 eruption: see p.130.
