Easy Hikes in Iceland: 10 Short Walks Under 3 Hours (2027)

The best easy hikes in Iceland are short walks to waterfalls, canyons, craters and hot rivers that take under three hours and start from a car park. Svartifoss in Skaftafell, the Reykjadalur hot river, the rim of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the stairs beside Skógafoss and the climb up Hverfjall crater are all good choices. Most are on or near the Ring Road and open in summer without special gear.

Which easy hikes in Iceland are best?

These ten walks give the most reward for the least effort. Times are return walking times in good summer conditions.

What are the easiest hikes on the south coast?

The easiest south coast hikes are the Skógafoss stairs, the walk to Sólheimajökull and the rim of Fjaðrárgljúfur. All three sit just off the Ring Road and fit easily into a day of driving.

Skógafoss stairs and the Skógá river

Skógafoss drops 60 m from a cliff right beside the car park. A staircase of about 370 steps climbs to a viewing platform at the top, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. From there a path follows the river upstream past more than 20 smaller waterfalls. Walk 30 minutes and turn back, or keep going as long as you like. This is the start of the Fimmvörðuháls trail, so do not continue onto the high pass; our Fimmvörðuháls guide explains why.

Sólheimajökull glacier front

From the car park at Sólheimajökull, an easy path of about 15 to 20 minutes leads to the front of the glacier and its small lagoon. Stop at the edge. Walking on the ice is only safe with a guide, crampons and an ice axe.

Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur is a mossy canyon about 2 km long and up to about 100 m deep, near Kirkjubæjarklaustur. A marked path of about 2 km return runs along the rim from the lower car park, with viewing platforms over the gorge. Allow 45 to 60 minutes. Parking at the lower lot cost ISK 1,000 for a small car in 2026, paid by app. The path can close in the spring thaw, roughly March to May, to protect the ground, and it is icy in winter.

What are the best short hikes in Skaftafell?

The best short hike in Skaftafell is the walk to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by dark basalt columns that formed about 300,000 years ago. The return walk from the visitor centre takes about 1.5 hours with a steady climb. For a little more, the Svartifoss–Sjónarsker–Sel loop is 5.8 km and about two hours. Vatnajökull National Park rates it easy. It passes the waterfalls Hundafoss and Magnúsarfoss, a viewpoint at Sjónarsker and an old turf house at Sel.

Which easy hikes are near Reykjavík?

Near Reykjavík, the walk to the Reykjadalur hot river and a stroll through Almannagjá at Þingvellir are the best easy options.

Reykjadalur hot river

The trail starts at a car park north of Hveragerði, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. It is about 3 km each way to the bathing area of Reykjadalur, with a fairly steep climb at the start. Most people take 45 minutes to an hour each way, so allow about three hours with a bath. Boardwalks and simple screens line the bathing area, but there are no changing rooms. Bathe only in the marked section: some springs in the valley are close to boiling.

Almannagjá, Þingvellir

At Þingvellir, a path leads down from the Hakið visitor centre through the Almannagjá rift, between walls of rock pulled apart by the separating tectonic plates. It is an easy walk, and you can extend it to the Öxarárfoss waterfall. It works all year, but wear grips in winter.

Easy is relative in Iceland. Even a one-hour walk can turn cold and wet in minutes. Wear a waterproof jacket, take a warm layer and gloves, and check the weather before you set off.

What are the best easy hikes in the north and east?

In the north, Hverfjall crater at Mývatn is the classic short climb. In the east, Hengifoss and the viewpoints at Stuðlagil are the best options.

Hverfjall crater

Hverfjall is a tephra ring crater about 1 km across, formed around 2,800 years ago. A clear path climbs to the rim in about 20 to 30 minutes from the car park, and you can walk part or all of the way round. The loose gravel is steep, so wear shoes with good grip.

Hengifoss

Hengifoss falls about 128 m into a gorge banded with red clay. The path climbs about 300 m, fairly steeply, passing Litlanesfoss and its basalt columns halfway. Allow about two hours return. It is the most strenuous walk on this list, but still easy to fit into a morning.

Stuðlagil

At Stuðlagil canyon, a short path from the car park on the west side leads to viewing platforms over the basalt columns. The east side needs a much longer walk of about 5 km each way, so pick the west side for a quick visit.

Is there an easy hike in the highlands?

Yes. At Landmannalaugar, the Laugahraun lava loop is about 4.3 km with only about 115 m of climbing and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It crosses a lava field of black obsidian between coloured rhyolite mountains. Getting there is the hard part: you need a 4x4 on the F-roads or the summer highland bus. See our Landmannalaugar hiking guide for details.

What should you know before an easy hike in Iceland?

• Parking: many popular trailheads now charge for parking, usually by app with number-plate cameras.
• Footwear: paths are often gravel, mud or rock. Wear waterproof walking shoes or boots.
• Winter: short days and ice change everything. Bring microspikes from about November to April.
• Stay on the path: rope lines protect fragile moss, and leaving the path harms it for decades.
• Tell someone: SafeTravel suggests leaving a note in your car window saying where you have gone and for how long.

Ready for something longer? Our guide to hiking in Iceland covers full-day hikes and multi-day treks, and our hiking packing list tells you what to bring.

Facts checked October 2026. Parking fees and seasonal path closures change, especially at Fjaðrárgljúfur in spring. Check conditions with the national park or landowner and the weather at vedur.is before you go.