Hiking in Comfort

Private Day Hikes in Iceland for Travelers Who Love Nature — Without the Crowded Mountain Huts

Many travelers love hiking… but not everyone dreams of spending four days in shared huts along the famous Laugavegur Trail. At Iceland Luxury Tours, we regularly add both long and short hikes to our private itineraries for guests who want more activity, time in nature, and the peace that only hiking can create.

Below are some of our favorite single-day hikes — all stunning, all rewarding, and none requiring a bunk bed next to strangers.

Hengill Geothermal Mountain Area

Distance: 12–15 km (varies)
 Duration: ~5 hours
 Crowds: Very few
 Difficulty: Moderate (steep up & down)

Only about 40 minutes from Reykjavík, Hengill offers one of the most surprising landscapes near the capital region. The drive in is spectacular (so spectacular, in fact, that it’s one of the most popular locations in Iceland for car commercials).

Once on foot, you’ll hike through lava formations, geothermal hillsides, and ridgelines with wide views over:

  • Reykjavík 
  • Lake Þingvallavatn 
  • The Hengill volcanic system 

With its remote feel and endless scenery, you’ll likely not meet another person all day — rare this close to the city.

Perfect as part of our:

  • Private Golden Circle Tours 
  • Reykjanes & Southwest Iceland Itineraries 

Glymur Waterfall

Height: 198 m
 Duration: 3–4 hours
 Crowds: Moderate to high
 Difficulty: Moderate–challenging

Once believed to be Iceland’s tallest waterfall, Glymur drops into a narrow, dramatic canyon. This route feels like an adventure from the first step:

  • A river crossing on a log and steel cable 
  • A trail along the gorge with multiple breathtaking lookouts 
  • A river wade at the top to return on the opposite side 

It’s a busy trail, but for good reason — the views are unforgettable.

Great addition to:

  • West Iceland Day Tours 
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula itineraries 

Fimmvörðuháls – A Legendary Icelandic Hike

Duration: 8–10 hours
 Crowds: Medium to high
 Difficulty: Hard
 Route: From Þórsmörk to Skógar (or reverse)

This is one of the great classic hikes of Iceland, crossing between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. You’ll pass volcanic craters, snowfields, lava formations, waterfalls, and mountain passes in a single day.

The trail became globally famous in 2010 when the first phase of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption started near the route — and people hiked to see the lava flow up close.
 Only in Iceland.

Often included as part of:

  • Private Super Jeep & Highland Tours 
  • Multi-Day South Coast Adventures 

Kristínartindar Loop — Ívar’s Pick for Best Day Hike in Iceland

Duration: 5–7 hours
 Crowds: Moderate
 Difficulty: Moderate–hard (exposure in places)
 Location: Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park

If you want the best single day of hiking in Iceland, this is it. The loop climbs above Skaftafell with continuously changing views of glaciers, peaks, and the vast Vatnajökull ice cap.

For guests comfortable with heights, we add the summit of Kristínartindar itself — which Ívar confidently claims to be the best view he has ever had, and he has climbed some very remote summits around the world.

Ideal for guests traveling the:

  • Private Jökulsárlón & Glacier Lagoon Tour 
  • Luxury South Coast Multi-Day Tour 

Jökulsárlón – Calm Walking Among Icebergs

Duration: Flexible
 Difficulty: Easy
 Crowds: Moderate (but we know the quiet spots)

This is not a strenuous hike — it’s a slow, peaceful exploration of the glacier lagoon. We walk along the lake, across the moraine, and to a secret viewpoint where almost nobody else goes.

Expect:

  • Icebergs drifting silently 
  • Seals relaxing on the ice 
  • Arctic birds circling above 
  • The serene calmness of a glacial landscape 

Included on most of our:

  • South Coast Tours 

Svínafellsjökull – A Cinematic Glacier Landscape

Duration: 1.5–3 hours
 Difficulty: Easy–moderate
 Location: Near Skaftafell

This short loop is quiet, calm, and incredibly scenic. Director Christopher Nolan chose Svínafellsjökull twice — for Batman Begins and Interstellar — because of its dramatic icefalls and mountain backdrop that look almost Himalayan.

We take you to the best viewpoint on Hafrafell, a hidden gem with world-class mountain scenery.
 If Ívar is your guide, ask him about the filming of Interstellar and the story of Greg the Rock.

Hiking in Comfort — Without Sacrificing Luxury

All hikes are added to your private, custom itinerary based on your:

  • Fitness level 
  • Time available 
  • Preferred scenery 
  • Weather conditions 
  • Guide’s expert recommendations 

With Iceland Luxury Tours, you can enjoy the beauty and solitude of Iceland’s landscapes without crowds, shared huts, or logistics to worry about. You hike; we take care of everything else.