Iceland on Foot: 5 Walking Regions Built for 2026
Iceland is too big and too varied for a single "best trail" list. Instead, plan by region: each area has its own landscape, access window, and trail style. Below are five regions with official trail information so you can build an accurate plan for 2026.
In this guide
Five walking regions
Þingvellir National Park (Golden Circle)
Trail feel: rift valley walks with lake views and lava fields.
Best for: short to moderate walks close to Reykjavik.
Good to know: clear paths and visitor facilities make planning easy.
Þingvellir is Iceland's classic first stop, and its trail network is ideal for warming up to Icelandic conditions.
Landmannalaugar (Fjallabak Nature Reserve)
Trail feel: colorful rhyolite mountains and steaming geothermal valleys.
Best for: full-day highland hikes in summer.
Good to know: access is seasonal and depends on highland roads.
Landmannalaugar is the highland icon. It is built for hikers who want bright volcanic landscapes and big skies.
Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park)
Trail feel: birch forest paths leading to waterfalls and glacier viewpoints.
Best for: moderate hikes with a big payoff like Svartifoss.
Good to know: trails are well documented in the national park area pages.
Skaftafell is one of the easiest places in Iceland to combine waterfalls and glacier scenery in a single day.
Jökulsárgljúfur (Vatnajökull National Park)
Trail feel: canyon rims, powerful waterfalls, and volcanic geology.
Best for: dramatic, wind-exposed landscapes in north Iceland.
Good to know: bring wind layers; mist from waterfalls can be intense.
The Jökulsárgljúfur area includes Dettifoss and some of Iceland's most dramatic canyon viewpoints.
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Trail feel: coastal cliffs, lava fields, and a glacier-capped volcano.
Best for: a compact region with varied day walks.
Good to know: weather shifts quickly on the peninsula.
Snæfellsjökull packs many of Iceland's landscapes into one peninsula, making it a great multi-day base.
Season and access notes
- Highlands are seasonal: Landmannalaugar access depends on highland road openings.
- Check official updates: use road.is for road status and SafeTravel for weather alerts.
- Pack layers: wind and rain can arrive fast, even in July.
Iceland rewards flexible planning. Keep a short-list of regions so you can pivot when weather shifts.
Official trail sources
- Þingvellir National Park hiking trails
- Landmannalaugar area information (Environment Agency of Iceland)
- Skaftafell area trails (Vatnajökull National Park)
- Jökulsárgljúfur area trails (Vatnajökull National Park)
- Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Iceland road conditions (IRCA)
- SafeTravel Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best season for walking in Iceland?
June to early September offers the longest daylight and the easiest access to highland areas. In spring or autumn, prioritize lowland regions and monitor road and weather updates.
Can I visit Landmannalaugar without a 4x4?
Landmannalaugar is in the highlands and access is seasonal. Transport options vary by year, so check official road and access guidance before you plan the trip.
Are Iceland trails well marked?
Many national park trails are marked, but conditions change fast. Stick to signed paths, carry layers, and use official maps for each region.
What should I pack for Iceland walks?
Waterproof layers, warm mid-layers, and sturdy footwear are essential. Wind and rain are common near waterfalls and glaciers even in summer.
Turn Iceland's regions into a walking plan
Build a flexible route library in DailyWander and swap walks when weather shifts.
Download on the App StoreImage credits
Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons; authors and licenses listed below.
- Thingvellir.jpg — Andreas Tille — CC BY-SA 4.0
- Landmannalaugar in summer 2009 (13).jpg — Chmee2/Valtameri — CC BY 3.0
- Svartifoss July 2014.JPG — Martin Falbisoner — CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dettifoss, Iceland, 20240716 1500 1531.jpg — Jakub Hałun — CC BY 4.0
- Snæfellsjökull-kfk-2.jpg — kfk — CC BY-SA 3.0
About the author: Joeri Vanthienen designs walking trips around official trail networks and weather windows to keep long days flexible.