Iceland Family Multisport
- Explore a mystical, raw, wild landscape by land, water and air
- Incredible geological wonders, from glaciers and geysers to volcanoes and sea stacks
- Go for a trot on hardy Icelandic horses
- Crisp coastal air and fresh seafood
- Meet puffins, kittiwakes and other residents
History, Culture & Adventure at the Edge of the Arctic Circle
They say that opposites attract. Does that explain Iceland? Heath beside ocean. Glaciers atop volcanoes. Icebergs the size of trucks washed up on black-sand beaches. A temperate climate yet a name like Iceland. Rumor has it that adults and kids even gravitate toward one another here. While hiking gray lava flats and white ice fields. Traveling by bike, foot, Zodiac, plane, raft, horse and "super jeep." And basking in geothermal pools below glacial waterfalls. It seems totally implausible. To have such extremes so close. But maybe it's just the natural order.
Days
1-3 Explore a glacial lagoon by foot and Zodiac, marveling at a ghostly iceberg "sculpture garden" in the jewel-blue water 
Grown-ups hike in the highlands while kids cross mudflats by hay cart to look for seabirds with a local expert Trek on a glacier in Skaftafell National Park to view out-of-this-world ice formations, water caldrons, crevasses and a breathtaking icefall Walk at Dyrhólaey, a bird sanctuary for puffins and Arctic terns on Iceland's southernmost tip.
Day
4 Ready for a different kind of adventure? Ride in a "super jeep" across creeks and rivers near simmering Hekla volcano Discover Thórsmörk, an alpine oasis of lime-hued hillsides, icy peaks and wildflowers Hike from bizarre rock formations and canyons to a glacier tongue with views of pristine vales and brilliant lakes A never-ending string of waterfalls line the Skógá River, including mighty Skógafoss, 200 feet high and set off by verdant moss-covered rocks Kids saddle up for a ride on agile Icelandic ponies.
Days
5-6 Raft on the Hvítá River - the perfect mix of serene canyons and adrenaline-pumping waves and rapids! Hike among geysers and streams and pedal through Thingvellir National Park, a World Heritage site Ramble through the Hengill Geothermal area consiting of verdant lava fields crisscrossed with steaming tributaries and hot mud pools.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Exceeded my expectations. I am amazed at all that we were able to do in six full days. Every hike was unique and beautiful. Loved having options on the different hikes. Magnificent landscapes, geological formations, varied activities we had throughout the trip. I was so impressed with the ease and smoothness of the running of this trip. I was so impressed with the research that was conducted before offering this trip to your guests. Our leaders seemed so experienced in their knowledge of the country, in their ability to navigate, and their choices of the local areas we visited and the guides we had.- Longboat Key, FL
On the Super Jeep ride back our driver cranked up "Highway to Hell" as we plowed through river after river following a great hike. It is this character and spirit that characterized the interaction we had with local folks arranged by Backroads!- Burlington, NC
Very well organized. The food was great!! They really did their research well - the Icelandic guides that they hired were top-notch, the hotels were very nice.- Brooklyn, NY
Casual & Premiere Inns*
Fosshótel Skaftafell
Freysnesi (2 nights) A very basic lodge chosen for its proximity to Skaftafell National Park.
Hotel Rangá
Hella (2 nights) A countryside resort with top-notch service and geothermal pools looking onto a serene river and the simmering Hekla volcano.
Hotel Ion
Nesjavellir (1 night) This newly transformed inn is uniquely located amid geothermal pools and near the shores of Lake Thingvallavatn.
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Family:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking | 2.5* | 300 | ||||||||
| 2 | Walking | 7.1 | 1200 | 11.2* | 2800 | ||||||
| Kids | Waterfalls & glacier hike (3.7 miles; 600’ elevation gain) | ||||||||||
| Kids | Hay cart ride (3 hours) | ||||||||||
| Kids | Ingólfshöfði walk (1.6 miles; 300’ elevation gain) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Walking | 1.9* | 300 | ||||||||
| Walking | 3.1* | 300 | |||||||||
| 4 | Walking | 5.0* | 900 | 7.5* | 1200 | ||||||
| Kids | Horseback riding in Hestheimar (1.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 19 | 900 | ||||||||
| Rafting | On the Hvita River (3 hours) | ||||||||||
| Kids | Lake bike ride (10 miles; 500’ elevation gain) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Walking | 3.7* | 700 | ||||||||
To make for the most comfortable ride to this particular trip, we've outfitted our titanium road bike with slightly wider tires.
On this Family Trip, our routes follow rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
* Includes a shuttle
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For 34 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Iceland tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large multisport tours, Europe At Large biking tours and Europe At Large walking and hiking tours.
