It's different in Iceland. Untamed. Dramatic. Wild. Milky geothermal lagoons, bubbling mud pots and vents of steam rising out of otherworldly landscapes. Jagged volcanoes topped with glistening white glaciers. Rugged coastal cliffs and black sand beaches reflect the midnight sun. It's a surreal cinematic landscape unlike anywhere in the world. Here, different is good.
Days 1-2 Enjoy an eagle's-eye view on our flight to the Westman Islands, some of the youngest islands on Earth | Remote, dramatic and wild Heimaey, the only inhabited island in this small archipelago, welcomes you with breathtaking vistas of Eldfell Volcano | If you have a passion for puffins, you've come to the right place! | Ferry to the mainland and marvel at Iceland's untamed splendor as you hike through craggy river canyons, rocky deserts and electric-green meadows | Admire the endless waterfalls at the foot of the highlands in Thjórsárdalur.
Days 3-4 Climb to a steaming valley and be tempted by the tranquil pools in this extraordinary alpine setting | Journey through the Hengill geothermal area with a local volcanologist and witness lava fields crisscrossed with warm tributaries and dotted with bubbling hot mud pools | Walk through remarkable Thingvellir National Park, where tectonic plates come together in a way unlike anywhere else in the world | Nearly half of Iceland's array of flora grows here, though you'll find nothing taller than a dwarf birch.
Days 5-6 Walk between jagged cliffs, lava outcrops, black-sand beaches and the ocean as you explore the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula | If it's a clear day, you can even view the Snæfellsnes Glacier | Join an optional morning horseback excursion.
My wife and I took a Backroads hiking trip to southern and southwestern Iceland. Every aspect of the trip and the Backroads experience was first rate. The hikes, activities, hotels, and restaurants were all selected carefully and with an insider's expertise. It was great not to have to worry about anything, knowing we were in good hands. The guides were experienced, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating.- Bethesda, Maryland
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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Set along the River Sog, in the heart of the Golden Circle, this country inn welcomes guests with spacious rooms and friendly service.
This sleek, modern and award-winning hotel sits amid geothermal pools, near the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn. (pool, spa)
This simple yet sophisticated hotel is set at the edge of Snaefellsjökull National Park.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 8 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Reviewed by 8 customers
Displaying reviews 1-8
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
My wife and I took a Backroads hiking trip to southern and southwestern Iceland. Every aspect of the trip and the Backroads experience was first rate. The hikes, activities, hotels, and restaurants were all selected carefully and with an insider's expertise. It was great not to have to worry about anything, knowing we were in good hands. The guides were experienced, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating.
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
A week of gorgeous weather, interesting people, and new experiences.
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
What a wonderful adventure! Iceland is a dramatic land, and stunningly beautiful. I loved everything; the hikes, the hotels, the storyteller and of course the horseback ride!
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
Our trip (June 11-16m 2017) was superb! Our guides (Naomi and Alex) were welcoming from the very first moment, and although not "natives" were extremely knowledgable on the history, culture and natural wonders of the country. From the first hike at Eldfell to the beautiful waterfalls in Thjorsardular, from the hot springs and boiling mudpots of Hveragerdi to the Budir coast and crater routes, and from the beautiful Holavagur costal route with the lava fields and stunning coastal views to horseback riding through fields of wild purple lupines, around ever turn was a spectacular sight (and don't forget all the sheep!). I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the real Iceland- forget the Golden Circle and the Ring Road- see the real Iceland with Backroads.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Holavagur Coastal route
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Hot Springs
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Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
Marvelous. Outstanding itinerary. Incredible scenery. Guides quickly determined each person's capability. Also guides' personality added to the trip. Accommodations were excellent. Food as well. Lots of time in the van, but that's in nature of the country. Over all, very well pleased
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
This is a wonderful trip with a perfect blend of physical activity and cultural experience and information. Iceland is unlike anywhere I have been and I am grateful to have experienced it.
Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
There's not much to say other than this 2014 Iceland trip was spectacular! The guides, both the Backroads crew and local folk, were extremely knowledgeable about the sites, area, etc. Iceland is a gorgeous country and I was glad to experience it with Backroads. You will not be disappointed with this organization!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour:
Our tour guides were amazing- upbeat, fun, and very accommodating! They made sure the trip was completely effortless on our part and 100% enjoyable. I loved our time in Iceland and cannot wait to go back- truly recommend this trip of a lifetime. You will not be disappointed.
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | 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 | 3 | 100 | 4 | 400 | ||||||
| Heimaey Boat Tour (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 2 | 3* | 400 | 5 | 500 | 6 | 800 | ||||
| 3 | 5* | 900 | 9* | 900 | 10 | 1500 | ||||
| 4 | 1 | 100 | 4* | 500 | 4 | 250 | ||||
| 3* | 400 | |||||||||
| 5 | 4* | 200 | 7* | 300 | 9 | 400 | ||||
| 6 | 2* | 100 | ||||||||
| Optional Horseback Riding (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
Note: The terrain on this trip includes a mix of well-maintained paths, rolling headland walks and rugged mountain trails. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary in order to access the best hiking routes.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Your Iceland adventure begins with a charter flight directly to the start of your hike, so you can head out even sooner to explore the volcanic island of Heimaey on foot. We figure why sit in a van for a long shuttle when we can take a short, hour-long scenic flight to off shore islands where we'll hike for the day—the flight itself is an amazing aerial tour of volcanoes, glaciers and rugged coastlines.
On our Iceland trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
We design and support our Iceland trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Iceland, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politic—and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Iceland, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
In Iceland you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group of 16 or more. If your party has fewer than 16 guests, or your preferred date is not available, call or email us and we'll work together to find a trip just for you.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
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Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
