Which Iceland Hike Is Right for You?
If you’re planning a hiking trip to Iceland, one of the biggest questions you might have is deciding which trail is the right fit for you or your group.
Iceland offers so many incredible landscapes to choose from, and it’s easy to assume there’s one “best” hike but the truth is, every trail offers a completely different experience. Some lead through colorful rhyolite mountains and geothermal valleys. Others take you into lush green forests beneath glaciers or across volcanic landscapes that feel unlike anywhere else in the world.
After years of guiding women through Iceland’s Highlands, we’ve learned that the best hike isn’t necessarily the most famous or the most challenging. It’s the one that matches your personality, your sense of adventure, and the kind of experience you’re hoping to have in Iceland.
This post will introduce you to the hiking experiences we know best, explain what makes each one unique, and help you decide which adventure is the right fit for your trip.
Hiking Adventures in Iceland
Hiking in Iceland can look very different depending on where you go. You might spend your days walking through the green valleys of Þórsmörk, crossing the colorful rhyolite mountains of the Laugavegur Trail, or exploring the quiet coastal trails of the East Fjords.
Each of our hiking tours has its own pace, scenery, and highlights. The guide below will help you compare them so you can choose the adventure that’s the best fit for you.
Not Sure Which Trip Is Right for You?
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Laugavegur Trail
The Laugavegur Trail is Iceland’s most iconic multi-day hike, taking you through colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal valleys, black sand deserts, glacial rivers, and into the beautiful valley of Þórsmörk. The landscapes change each day dramatically, making it one of the most rewarding ways to experience Iceland’s Highlands.
At Viking Women, we’ve found that not every hiker is looking for the same adventure. Some women want to experience the classic route at a comfortable pace, while others are looking for a greater challenge or a longer journey that combines the Highlands with Iceland’s most famous sights. That’s why we offer three different ways to experience the Laugavegur Trail.
Laugavegur Trail Classic
If this is your first time hiking the Laugavegur Trail, our Classic tour is where we’d recommend starting. Following the traditional route from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, you’ll have time to settle into life on the trail, take in the changing landscapes, and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
→ Explore the Laugavegur Trail Classic
Laugavegur Trail Challenging
Our Challenging tour follows the same incredible trail as the Classic tour but at a faster pace. You’ll complete the Laugavegur in three days, making it best suited to experienced hikers comfortable with longer days on the trail.
→ Explore the Laugavegur Trail Challenging
Not sure which Laugavegur tour is the best fit? Feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to answer questions and help you decide which adventure is right for you
Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk has been part of Viking Women from the very beginning. It was the first hiking adventure we offered, and it’s still one of our favorite places to share with women visiting Iceland.
Unlike the Laugavegur Trail, where you hike from one mountain hut to the next, the Þórsmörk trip is based at Básar Mountain Hut. Each day you’ll head out to explore a different part of the valley before returning to the same hut in the evening. You’ll only need a daypack for your hikes, while your main luggage stays at the hut. If you’re wondering what to bring, we’ve also created an Iceland Hiking Packing List to help you prepare.
Surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and green mountain valleys, Þórsmörk offers a different kind of Highland hiking experience. It’s a great fit for women who enjoy full days on the trail while returning to the same base each evening.
Because there’s so much to discover in this remarkable part of Iceland, we created a complete guide to Þórsmörk. It covers the hiking trails, what to expect, why this area is so unique, and what makes it one of our favorite places to hike in Iceland.
→ Read Our Complete Guide to Þórsmörk
Víknaslóðir: East Iceland Wilderness Hike
The East Iceland Wilderness Hike takes us into the Eastfjords, where we’ll spend five days following the historic Víknaslóðir trails. Along the way we’ll hike through colorful rhyolite mountains, green valleys, black sand beaches, and remote fjords, spending each night in cozy mountain huts.
Each day brings something different. We’ll stop for packed lunches surrounded by mountain views, pass abandoned farms and old settlements, and end our days sharing a warm meal together before settling in for the night. And don’t be surprised if you stop more than once to take another photo—the Eastfjords are full of those moments.
It’s a great fit for women who enjoy multi-day hiking and want to explore one of Iceland’s quieter, less-traveled regions. The pace of the journey gives you time to take in the scenery, enjoy the company of the group, and experience a side of Iceland that many visitors never see.
If you’d like to learn more about the itinerary, accommodations, and what to expect, you can explore our East Iceland Wilderness Hike tour page.
→ Explore the East Iceland Wilderness Hike
Looking for Sightseeing Instead?
If hiking isn’t your style, our small-group sightseeing tours let you experience Iceland’s waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, geothermal areas, and scenic drives at a more relaxed pace.
We’re currently putting together a complete guide to our sightseeing tours to help you compare each itinerary and decide which adventure is the best fit for you.
→ Explore Our Sightseeing Tours
Check out some photos from our most recent tour of the Laugavegur Trail …take us back!
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