Trails

Walking trails in West Iceland

Walking trails of all kinds and difficulties can be found in West Iceland. Short walks, long hikes, flat lowland routes, mountain peaks and everything in between.

Many trails in the region are marked with stakes for safety reasons. We strongly advise hikers to follow marked paths, GPS coordinates and trail markings.

Everyone should be able to find a suitable trail. See the difficulty scale below.

Trail difficulty scale

Easy

Good paths and trails that most people should be able to walk. Easy and short hiking trails, suitable for a wide group of hikers. These trails may be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and have no major obstacles or difficulties.

Moderate

Simple recreational trails suitable for a wide range of users, including families and groups. These trails usually have less than 100 metres of elevation gain.

Challenging

Trails for experienced hikers. There may not be a clear path all the way and the route can include rough or difficult sections, unbridged streams, elevation gain, loose gravel and smaller rivers. Always check the weather and local conditions before setting off.

Difficult

Trails only suitable for very experienced hikers with proper equipment. Routes may include large unbridged rivers, steep and rocky terrain, difficult conditions and sections that can be dangerous for hikers not used to this landscape.

Basic safety information before hiking

Monitor the weather and be prepared for the fact that in Iceland the weather can change very quickly. It is also important to review your equipment and check local conditions before setting off.

Warm clothes, good hiking shoes, mittens, a hat and basic protective clothing are important. A GPS device, water, food, extra clothing and a first aid kit should also be packed.

Before setting off, check the weather forecast at the Icelandic Meteorological Office. If the forecast is poor or wind speed is expected to exceed 18 metres per second, postpone the hike or choose another route.

Weather forecast SafeTravel

Main risks in winter hiking

It is especially important to prepare well for hiking in autumn and winter. When hiking in the mountains during winter, avoid hiking alone and always let someone know about your plans.

• Risk of falling through ice on water

• Risk of becoming wet, cold and exhausted

• Risk of losing phone connection or contact

• Risk of getting lost

• Risk of tripping or slipping on ice

• Risk of slipping in icy mountain terrain

• Risk of falling from mountain edges or cliffs

• Risk of trouble due to poor preparation

• Risk of underestimating conditions or overestimating oneself