Something truly magical happens when you turn 30. You either decide to run a marathon, or you take an international trip with your best friend, Miranda, and fully send it. (I’ll let you guess which one I chose.)
For my big birthday, I finally checked off a destination that’s been on my bucket list since middle school. Flash back to 12-year-old Abby, tasked with choosing any country in the world and presenting a report on it to the entire class. I can’t be completely certain, but I think that’s the moment I discovered the mystical paradise that is Iceland. And from then on, I dreamed of going.
This past June, that dream finally came true. My best friend and I spent six days hiking southern Iceland with G Adventures: glacier hikes, towering waterfalls, black-sand beaches and a natural hot spring soak to finish it all off. Spoiler: it was worth every year of waiting.
Why I Chose G Adventures for Hiking in Iceland
Traveling to Iceland was a big deal for me. It had been my bucket-list destination since I was 12, so if I was finally going, I wanted to do it right, and that meant spending as much time as possible outside, soaking in the endless natural beauty Iceland is famous for.
Usually, when I take hiking or national park trips, I plan everything myself: where to stay or camp, which trails to hike, where to eat. It’s a lot of work. And I quickly realized that planning Iceland on my own would take a lot of research and a lot of money. Rental car, parking fees, gas, hotels, food: it was all adding up fast. Did I mention I was trying to plan all of this just one to two months before I wanted to go?
For a moment, it felt like my Iceland dream wasn’t going to happen this year. Then I remembered my trip with G Adventures to Ecuador last year, still one of my most memorable trips to date. (If you haven’t read that trip journal yet, you can find it here.)
G Adventures offers several travel styles, including Classic, Active, National Geographic Journeys, Solo-ish, Wellness and Family. I went straight to their Active hiking trips for Iceland, and that’s where I found their six-day Hiking Southern Iceland tour. Jackpot!
Why a Guided Tour Was the Right Call
I can’t emphasize enough how special it is to travel with G Adventures. They were the company I trusted with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to my dream country, to kick off a new decade. Honestly, many of my fellow travelers were older than me, and it didn’t matter one bit. I still had the time of my life.
One of my favorite parts of a group tour is meeting people from all over the world who share your interests: traveling, seeing the world, and especially being active and hiking every day. Our group was full of kind, interesting people from across Canada and the U.S., and sharing these hikes together made the trip even better.
And the guides? G Adventures calls them CEOs (Chief Experience Officers), and they truly are the best. Ours was incredibly smart, kind, and went above and beyond to make our trip special and is a part-time DJ! (More on that later.)
A Brief History of Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice
You already know I love a little history. And yes, I spent the entire trip on the lookout for gnomes and trolls. (Icelandic legend says trolls caught in the sunlight turn to stone, so technically, some of these rock formations could be trolls.) But shockingly, the story I couldn’t stop thinking about wasn’t the trolls. It was the land itself. Every trail we hiked was shaped by fire, ice and water, so here’s a quick look at how Iceland’s incredible scenery came to be.
Iceland sits right on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, by about 2 centimeters a year. Volcanic activity built the island up from the ocean floor around 16 million years ago, making it one of the youngest landscapes on Earth. Since then, fire, ice and water have shaped everything you see: volcanoes created the lava fields and black sand beaches, glaciers (which still cover about 11% of the country) carved out valleys and cliffs, and meltwater formed the waterfalls and canyons we spent our days hiking. Add in the Norse settlers who arrived around 874 AD and founded one of the world’s oldest parliaments in 930 AD, and you have a country unlike anywhere else.
Day 0: Arriving Early in Reykjavík
Just like with a cruise, I always fly in the day before a tour officially starts. It takes away the travel anxiety, and the fear that a delayed flight could make me miss the start of the trip. It also helps with jet lag, and gives you a bonus day to explore on your own.
ABOVE THE CLOUDS
The Midnight Sun
From the U.S., most flights to Iceland leave in the evening and land the next morning, my favorite kind of time travel. When I left Denver, the sun was setting, and as we flew toward Iceland, it never fully went down.
Seeing Iceland’s nearly 24-hour daylight was one of the reasons I chose to visit in summer. It was surreal, and something I think everyone should experience at least once.
WHERE WE STAYED
CityHub Reykjavik
Miranda and I stayed at Central Hub, a hostel just off Reykjavík’s main street downtown. It was perfect for us: affordable, in a great location, and it felt super futuristic. For my savvy younger travelers, you have to check this one out. Bonus: there is a hot tub 🙂
TRAVEL TIP
Between the time change and the fact that most of us don’t sleep well on planes, I recommend getting to bed early so you’re rested for your first full day of the tour.
OUR FREE DAY
Exploring Reykjavik
We didn’t have a set schedule. We just walked, explored, shopped and drank a lot of coffee. We saw the famous Rainbow Street and Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s iconic church, and stumbled on Brauð & Co., a little bakery with the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had. We went back twice because we just couldn’t resist.
“I’m lying in the middle of a park, on this island, with my best friend, and I couldn’t be happier.”
a favorite moment from day 0
BONUS
World Cup Fever in Reykjavík
With Canada, the U.S. and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, we caught Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in downtown Reykjavík, at a bar called (ironically) the American Bar. Everyone there was cheering against Canada!
Hiking Southern Iceland: Day-by-Day Itinerary
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DAY ONE
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls
Once our group gathered in the hotel lobby in Reykjavík, we wasted no time getting out of the city to see two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both pour over cliffs that once marked Iceland’s coastline, before the land rose and the sea pulled back.
Fair warning: both are very popular, so be prepared to share the view with plenty of other travelers.
Skógafoss was my favorite of the two. A staircase runs up the side of the falls, and at the top, the trail keeps going. Within minutes, the crowds thinned out, and we had the river, a string of smaller waterfalls and incredible views almost all to ourselves.
02
DAY TWO
Glacier Hiking in Vatnajökull National Park and Svartifoss
Of all the incredible moments on my G Adventures trip, glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park takes the crown. The park itself is mind-bogglingly massive, covering 14% of Iceland, and is home to Vatnajökull—Europe’s largest glacier outside the Arctic. Our experienced guide got us fully equipped and led us out onto the ice for an unforgettable tour. But the best part? My last name is Glaysher, so I officially spent the day as a Glaysher on a Glacier! It truly was one of the best highlights of the entire journey.
After our adventurous morning, we enjoyed lunch inside Vatnajökull National Park, then geared up for another hike, this time to Svartifoss. This waterfall is known for its dramatic backdrop of black basalt columns hanging over the falls, which look just like a massive natural pipe organ. The columns formed when lava cooled and cracked slowly, into a near-perfect pattern of many-sided pillars.
03
DAY THREE
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Múlagljúfur Canyon
Day three was especially magical. We started at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where huge chunks of ice break off the glacier and float through the lagoon toward the ocean.
Just across the road is Diamond Beach, an absolute must if you’re visiting Iceland. Icebergs drift out of the lagoon and wash up on the black sand, so the beach is covered in glittering “diamonds.” What amazed me most is how new it all is: the lagoon only began forming in the 1930s, as the glacier retreated.
We ended the day with a hike up Múlagljúfur Canyon, and its beauty truly took my breath away. Every single day of this G Adventures itinerary brought something incredible.
04
DAY FOUR
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Hólaskjól to the Álftavötn basin
If the canyon pictured here looks familiar, you may recognize it from Game of Thrones. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is where Daenerys’s dragons glide through the epic gorge. It was carved by glacial meltwater about 9,000 years ago, and it winds for roughly 2 km. The hike to the end isn’t far, and it’s absolutely worth it!
Our second hike of the day was at Hólaskjól, a last-minute itinerary switch after snow closed the road to our original hike. (Yes, even in summer, Iceland can be wild!) It turned out to be one of my favorite hikes of the whole trip, so I share more about it below. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a secluded trail with the option to go many more miles.
05
DAY FIVE
Kvernufoss and Reykjadalur Hot Springs Hike
Waterfalls and a hike to a natural hot spring! Day five was so pleasant, and the perfect way to round out our tour.
Like a few other days, this one was rearranged because of the weather. For a while, we weren’t sure we’d get to hike to a natural hot spring at all, since the original option was closed. But our CEO came through and took us to a different one instead: Reykjadalur, a popular local favorite.
We also hiked to Kvernufoss, another short but epic waterfall hike. On the way, we passed fields of purple lupines in full bloom. The views were unreal!
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DAY SIX
Back to Reykjavík
All good things must come to an end. Back in Reykjavík, our group shared a goodbye dinner, where we thanked our amazing CEO and swapped our favorite memories from the trip.
For our last night in Iceland, Miranda and I headed downtown one more time and ended up at the Library Bar, where we danced the night away and watched the midnight sun set over the ocean. I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye.
My Favorite Hikes in Southern Iceland
Every hike was my favorite. Just kidding! They weren’t all my favorite, but they were all breathtaking.
I’ll admit it: I’m a trail snob. Living in Western Colorado has made me this way, and I can’t help it. I rank trails on a few things: length, difficulty, views and crowds (or the lack of them). Some of the places we visited were absolutely stunning, but packed with people, so they didn’t make my top list. That doesn’t mean you should skip them; just be prepared to share the view.
As I mentioned earlier, snow on the roads meant we couldn’t do some of the hikes on our original itinerary. So our CEO switched things up, and a few of those last-minute swaps ended up being my favorites. Sometimes when life doesn’t go your way, it’s all for a reason. Or something like that.
1. Hólaskjól to Álftavötn: Iceland’s Hidden Gem
This trail wasn’t originally on our itinerary. With our planned road closed by the weather, we ended up on this hidden gem instead. It was completely secluded: we didn’t see another hiker the entire time, which is rare in Iceland in summer. It’s also a popular backpacking route, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for something longer.
And then there was lunch with a view, another core memory. At our turnaround point, we ate lunch in the most incredible little basin, listening to the river flow by as the sun peeked through the clouds. I’ll never forget that moment.
2. Reykjadalur Hot Springs: A Hike That Ends in a Hot River
We were supposed to hike to a different hot spring, but that road was also closed by snow, so our CEO took us to his favorite “local spot”: Reykjadalur. How can you not love a hike that ends with a soak in a natural hot spring?
My Advice for Hiking in Iceland
Don’t stress about which hikes you need to do. Every trail I set foot on was beautiful and unique in its own way. And I’m so glad that with G Adventures, I didn’t have to do any of the planning, or pay all those parking fees at the trailheads, which add up fast!
How Hard Is G Adventures’ Hiking Southern Iceland Tour?
This trip is part of G Adventures’ Active collection, with a physical grading of 4 out of 5. Their website describes it as “some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travelers.”
I live in Western Colorado, where high-altitude hiking is basically my love language. Compared with the hikes I do at home, I found this tour very manageable, and honestly pretty chill. The hikes were never too long or too challenging, and many were mostly flat. Some trails to canyons and waterfalls were steep, but the climbs were short, so there was always room to stop and catch your breath. Bonus: Iceland’s trails sit at much lower elevations than Colorado’s, so the air felt easy to breathe.
That said, I’m fairly fit. I do CrossFit three to four times a week and climb 14ers (Colorado peaks over 14,000 feet), and I stay active in my everyday life. If hiking or regular exercise isn’t part of your routine, some of these hikes could be challenging for you.
Is This Tour Right for You?
- You’ll likely love it if you hike or exercise regularly, are comfortable on your feet for several hours a day, and don’t mind some short, steep climbs.
- It may be tough if you rarely hike, have knee or joint issues on steep or uneven ground, or aren’t used to back-to-back active days.
You know yourself best. If you’re planning to book this tour, make sure you have a solid baseline of fitness, and consider a few practice hikes in your boots beforehand. If you’re unsure whether it’s the right fit, that’s exactly what I’m here to help with: I can talk you through the trip, or suggest a G Adventures tour that better matches your pace.
What to Pack for Hiking in Iceland in June (recommended addition)
Packing for this trip felt tricky, I had no idea what summer in Iceland felt like. Luckily, with G Adventures they send you a recommended packing list (which was beyond helpful). Did I mention I LOVE traveling with G Adventures?!
My packing essentials for this trip included
- Windproof Rain Jacket
- Gloves/Beanie
- Thick Wool Hiking Socks
- Fleece Top/Sweater
- Hiking Backpack (daypack)
- Outlet Adapter
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Hiking Shoes/Boots
- Camera (Go Pro)
- Walking Poles
Why Book a Guided Tour with a Travel Designer
When it comes to guided tours, there are a million and one options (quite literally). But not every traveler wants the same experience. Some want comfortable hotels and an easy pace; others, like me, want to be hiking from sunrise to (midnight) sunset.
G Adventures understands this, which is why they offer so many travel styles, from Classic and Active to Wellness, Family and Solo-ish. Even then, choosing the right trip can feel overwhelming. That’s where a travel designer comes in.
When you book with a travel designer who knows you, here’s what you get:
- The right trip, not just any trip. I’ll match you with the right travel style, tour and company for your pace, fitness level, budget and interests.
- Honest, firsthand insight. I’ve traveled with G Adventures myself, in Ecuador and Iceland, so I can tell you what the experience is really like.
- The details, handled. Flights, extra nights before or after your tour, airport transfers and travel insurance, all planned around your trip.
- Someone in your corner. If a flight is delayed or plans change, you have a real person to call, not a hold line.
My job is to make sure your trip feels like it was designed just for you, because it was.
PLAN YOUR ICELAND ADVENTURE
Ready to Hike Iceland? Let’s Plan It Together.
I’ve hiked southern Iceland with G Adventures myself, so I know the trails, the pace and what to pack firsthand. Booking with me costs the same as booking direct, with a real person in your corner.
- Help choosing the right tour and travel style for you
- Flights and extra nights in Reykjavík, planned around your tour
- Packing and fitness tips from someone who’s done the hikes
- Someone to call if plans change
Free discovery call · Personal reply within 2–5 business days