Reykjavik is Iceland's capital and northernmost capital city of a sovereign state, set on the Faxaflói bay with mountains and glaciers on the horizon. Known for the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, geothermal swimming pools and a compact, colourful old town, it is the base for the Golden Circle, the South Coast and northern lights tours.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Mount Esja (Steinn summit)
Reykjavik's house mountain across Kollafjordur, with a marked trail from the Mogilsa car park to the Steinn summit at 914 m.
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2
Reykjadalur Hot Spring River
Steady walk above Hveragerdi past steaming vents to a warm river where bathing is allowed in a designated stretch.
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3
Ulfarsfell
Low 295 m hill on the north-east edge of the capital area with a short climb and wide views over Reykjavik, Esja and Faxafloi.
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4
Heidmork Nature Reserve
Large forested reserve around Ellidavatn lake on Reykjavik's south-east edge with numbered, marked paths of 1-10 km.
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5
Ellidaardalur Valley
Riverside paths through a green valley inside Reykjavik, past the Ellidaar river and the old power station, suited to an easy half-day walk.
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6
Oskjuhlid Hill and Perlan Trails
Wooded hill in central Reykjavik around the Perlan building with paved and gravel paths and a route down to Nautholsvik beach.
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7
Glymur Waterfall
Trail up a gorge in Hvalfjordur to Glymur, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls at about 198 m, with a log-bridge river crossing.
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8
Thingvellir Almannagja and Oxararfoss Walk
Short walk through the Almannagja rift wall in Thingvellir National Park to the Oxararfoss waterfall, on the site of Iceland's medieval parliament.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Reykjavik.
- Spring
- April-May: melting snow and mud; Esja summit routes can hold snow into June
- Summer
- June-August: nearly continuous daylight around midsummer and the widest trail access
- Autumn
- September-October: colour on low routes, early darkness and first snow on summits
- Winter
- November-March: about 4-5 hours of daylight in December; ice on paths, so stay on low routes unless experienced
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Weather changes fast; wind and rain can arrive within an hour, so carry layers even on short routes.
Hazard: Check conditions and safe-travel advice on safetravel.is before mountain routes and leave a travel plan.
Hazard: Hot spring water near Reykjadalur can scald; test the temperature before entering and stay on marked paths.
Hazard: Stay on marked trails; moss and lava fields are fragile and easily damaged.