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Travel Guide Iceland
  • Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland
    Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland Photo: Robert Lukeman, unsplash.com

Iceland

Bright colors and barren rocks, remote wilderness and cultural riches, bubbling volcanoes and glittering glaciers - Iceland is the land of contrasts. Thanks to its volcanism and the drifting apart of the continental plates of Europe and North America, the island is always on the move. And those who visit it usually don't stop for long either, but set off on foot, by bike or on horseback to discover Iceland's many treasures. No wonder the island of fire and ice is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Attractions in Iceland

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Long-Distance Hiking · Iceland
Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls - Hiking from Skógar to Landmannalaugar
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 78.1 km
Duration 25:00 h
Ascent 2,620 m
Descent 2,060 m

This spectacular multi-day tour takes you about 80 km through nearly the entire range of Icelandic primeval landscapes.

13
from Reiner Drewe,   Community
Scenic route
Around Iceland in 10 days
recommended route Difficulty Multi-stage route
Distance 2,384.4 km
Duration 36:41 h
Ascent 5,962 m
Descent 5,963 m

Iceland is hardly comparable to continental Europe: The peaceful and largely untouched landscape radiates a heavenly calm. Numerous craters ...

from Silvan Kaspar,   Outdooractive Editors
Natural Monument · Iceland
Geysir and Strokkur
Iceland

"Wildly gushing" is the meaning of the Icelandic word gjósa, from which "geyser" is derived. Hardly ...

from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors
Hiking Route · Iceland
In Thingvellir through the crevice to the impressive Oxararfoss (waterfall)
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 4.8 km
Duration 2:00 h
Ascent 30 m
Descent 30 m

The hike in Thingvellir National Park leads along wide paths through the Almannagja (rock crevice) to the impressive Oxararfoss. But already the ...

4
from Stefan Stadler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Waterfall · Iceland
Gullfoss
Iceland
2

Gullfoss is probably the most famous waterfall in Iceland. In any case, it is one of the most ...

from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors
Coast · Iceland
Látrabjarg
Iceland
1

The cliffs of Látrabjarg are Europe`s westernmost point. In summer, thousands of puffins breed here.

from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors
Museum · Iceland
Whale Museum Húsavík
Iceland
open today

The Whale Museum in Húsavík is the only one of its kind in Iceland, a must-do when traveling to ...

from Johanna Singer,   Outdooractive Editors
Geotope · Iceland
Hveradalir
Iceland

Probably the largest and most fascinating geothermal area in Iceland with reddish colored rhyolite ...

from Johanna Singer,   Outdooractive Editors
Ski Touring · Iceland
Snaefellsjökull (1.446 m) - Skitour auf exponierten Vulkan auf Island
recommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 14 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 1,300 m
Descent 1,300 m

Die Skitour auf den Snaefellsjökull führt entlang der Passstraße und dann über freie Hänge bis an den komplett mit Anraum überzogenen Gipfelaufbau.

1
from Stefan Stadler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Wellness · Iceland
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

The world-famous thermal bath invites you to relax with its fascinating blue water.

from Silvan Kaspar,   Outdooractive Editors
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Stunning Iceland

What did the first Vikings think when they saw the first rocks of Iceland lying before them from their ships more than 1100 years ago? They could hardly have guessed what was hidden behind the barren coastline. Anyone who visits the geysers and glaciers, the spectacular waterfalls and cooled lava flows today can well understand why they suspected the home of elves, dwarfs and trolls here. Even today, about half of the Icelandic population still believes in the existence of magical creatures and sees in many boulders elf houses or trolls that were surprised by the sunrise and thus petrified.
The Reynisdrangar in the south of Iceland are, according to legend, petrified trolls.
Photo: Outdooractive Editors
Iceland is not only influenced by its rich myths and legends, but also by the many traces in nature and culture that the Viking Age left behind. The pride of the Icelanders in the eventful history of their country is reflected in many lovingly designed museums. A particularly interesting destination is Þingvellir, the original meeting place of Althing, the oldest existing parliament in the world. The place where Iceland's independence from Denmark was declared in 1944 is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Report · Iceland
Thingvellir – inside Iceland’s first parliament
June 19, 2018

Life was hard in 10th-century Iceland: the sea route to the Scandinavian mainland was long, and the young Viking settlements lay isolated between ...

from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors

Fantastic natural phenomena

There are more than 100 waterfalls in Iceland, many of them among the largest and most beautiful in Europe. Some are the subject of legends and stories, others impress with huge cascades of water and a deafening sound.

Iceland is a volcanic hotspot: on average, a volcano erupts here every 5 years. There are numerous geothermal areas to discover along the tectonic rift zone that runs across the entire country. Hot springs, bubbling mud holes and the smell of sulfur characterize them. The most famous geothermal spring is the Great Geyser in the south of Iceland, but an excursion to Lake Mývatn or into the barren highlands is also worthwhile for amateur volcanologists and explorers.

Legendary Iceland: The gold behind the waterfall
Report · April 13, 2022

Iceland is the land of waterfalls, some cascade over huge rock faces in the wilderness of the ...

1
from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors
Plan a route here 〉
Fiery Iceland: At the gateway to hell
Report · April 20, 2022

Hissing and steaming, boiling and bubbling: Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places on ...

from Tabea Götze,   Outdooractive Editors
Plan a route here 〉

Adventures in Iceland

If you want to explore Iceland's wild beauty on foot, it's best to plan plenty of time for taking pictures. Shorter day trips to waterfalls or lonely lakes often already offer an impressive variety of landscapes, but for many hiking enthusiasts it is trekking tours lasting several days, such as the Laugavegur, that make a trip to Iceland an unforgettable experience.
Long-Distance Hiking · Iceland
Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls - Hiking from Skógar to Landmannalaugar
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 78.1 km
Ascent 2,620 m
Duration 25:00 h
Descent 2,060 m
13
from Reiner Drewe,   Community
Plan a route here 〉
Hiking Route · Iceland
Trekking from Dettifoss to Ásbyrgi
recommended route Premium content Difficulty easy
Distance 32.2 km
Ascent 86 m
Duration 11:30 h
Descent 383 m
from Johanna Singer,   Outdooractive Premium
Plan a route here 〉
Those who prefer to sit in the saddle of a bicycle can brave the wind on the well-maintained ring road near the coast or venture up to one of the pistes through the highlands inland by touring bike. A new perspective opens up to those who discover the island on guided tours from the back of an Icelandic horse. Whether on foot or in the saddle - at the end of an eventful tour through the Icelandic wilderness, bathing in one of the country's hot springs is particularly good.

Highlights around Reykjavík

A real trip to Iceland is not only about the country, but also about the people. The best place to find them is in the capital Reykjavík, where more than a third of Iceland's 330,000 inhabitants live. Colorful cafés line up here with cozy fish restaurants, while numerous museums with many relics from the Viking Age are often found in close proximity to exciting modern architecture. Reykjavík is also suitable as a base for excursions, for example to the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths or to a whale-watching tour out into the North Atlantic.
Wellness · Iceland
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

The world-famous thermal bath invites you to relax with its fascinating blue water.

from Silvan Kaspar,   Outdooractive Editors

Iceland in Winter

The main season for outdoor athletes in Iceland is summer when all paths are easily accessible and the average temperatures are usually around 10 degrees celsius. But winter is also becoming more and more popular with travelers. So close to the Arctic Circle it is then only a few hours a day bright until the dawn bathes the country in a mystical light. Even the most visited sights in summer, like the famous geysers, are often deserted and look completely different when covered in snow. In the evening, with a little luck, a very special natural spectacle presents itself in all its glory: northern lights illuminate the Icelandic night sky in dramatic colors.

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Reviews

  92
Krysuvik hot springs to Kellir by Benedikt
March 04, 2023 · Community
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When did you do this route? March 04, 2023
Photo: Benedikt Nixdorf, Community
Comment
Landmannalaugar - Þórsmörk by Fivos
February 28, 2023 · Paths of Greece
One of the most impressive hikes in the world! I recommend walking it the other way, northwards, as it will give you the feeling of heading towards Iceland's heart...
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When did you do this route? July 07, 2014
Comment
Godafoss - thundering waterfall in Northern Iceland by Herbert
February 21, 2023 · alpenvereinaktiv.com
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When did you do this route? August 16, 2022
Goðafoss
Photo: Herbert Raab, ÖAV Sektion Linz
Goðafoss
Photo: Herbert Raab, ÖAV Sektion Linz
Geitafoss
Photo: Herbert Raab, ÖAV Sektion Linz
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Destinations in Iceland

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Travel Guide Iceland