This Iceland Hiker’s Paradise 10 Day, 9 Night Self Drive itinerary is designed for people who are keen hikers and want to spend as much time out in nature as they can over the space of 10 incredible days. This hiking friendly itinerary is a combination of popular sights, nature and off the beaten path hiking. From the mighty glaciers in the south east to the Valley of Thor in the forgotten highlands to the dormant volcano in the south west.
This self drive tour was designed to include plenty of hiking opportunities in addition to all of the south coast’s treasured sites. You will experience some of Iceland’s most exclusive wonders, accessible only on foot. This tour is packed with adventure, but it also ensures you have ample time to spend in each area to get a true feel for the land.
The trip includes a glacier hike, dedicated days for hiking, the ever popular Golden Circle region, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon situated within Vatnajökull National Park, geothermal hot springs, rural villages, dormant volcanoes and even a day trip into Þakgil where you will find the aptly named Hidden Glacier.
Tour Duration
The itinerary below lasts for 10 days and 9 nights, including arrival and departure day. These days can be amended to fit your schedule.
On our hiker’s paradise tour, we’ll make sure to include extended nature hikes or glacier hikes. We can set the difficulty level to suit your abilities and desires.
Please note: we have only provided the highlights below to give you a snapshot of this incredible itinerary. We will provide you with a breakdown of the day-to-day itinerary after you submit the form at the bottom of the page.
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk). The Valley of Thor in the Highlands of Iceland.
Hiker’s Paradise 10 Day, 9 Night Self Drive Tour
Reykjavík, South and South East Iceland
After spending some time in Reykjavík, you will start your best of Iceland self drive trip by travelling along the entire south coast, reaching as far as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vatnajökull National Park in the southeast. A hiker’s dream location! This area is known for its breathtaking scenery, glacier lagoons, black sand beaches and mountainous landscape. Over the space of 3 days you will get the chance to explore this unique area intimately, including a visit to the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you can watch the giant icebergs float around and wash up on the black sand shores of Diamond Beach.
We also love to add in zodiac boat tours and snowmobile adventures during this part of the trip depending on your budget and desire.
For those of you wanting to take it a little easier, there are uncountable nature walks that let you experience the breathtaking views, flora and fauna. Horseback riding, museums and even lava exhibitions are a mainstay here too. The choice is yours!
There’s a reason this area was crowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
Skógafoss Waterfall on the South Coast by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.
Seljalandsfoss Aerial | Hidden Iceland | Photo Danny Mcgee | Featured
Firey sunset over Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunset, with Öræfajökull volcano in the background. Photo by Scott Drummond, Hidden Iceland
Hike to Falljökull Glacier. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo Dennis Stever
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Norris Niman. Feature
Falljökull glacier hike
Extended Hiking Adventures
The following few days is really where our hiker’s paradise itinerary gets its name! You’ll spend a couple of days going the path less travelled. We’ll offer shorter hikes in the Vatnajökull National Park and surrounding areas, before travelling back west and entering the often missed Þakgil Canyon with its hidden glacier and then head further into the highlands via Þórsmörk (Valley of Thor).
Þakgil (Thakgil) is one of the hidden gems in Iceland that very few have heard of. But for hikers, keen to get away from the summer crowds on the ring road, this really is a one of a kind area. In fact, you’re far more likely to find local Icelanders on their summer holidays here than other tourists. One thing is for sure, the hiking in this forgotten part of Iceland is worth the added time. This area is only accessible during June through to mid-September. We will provide alternative hiking options if you are traveling outside of these dates.
In Þórsmörk you will cross glacier rivers, hike to unbeatable views and truly understand what it means to be off the beaten path. Don’t worry, we’ll recruit some local experts to take you there.
Thorsmork highlands in summer.
Thorsmork Midgard Superjeep in highlands summer.
Þakgil hiking trail. Thakgil By Holly Spice.
Þakgil waterfall hiking trail. Thakgil By Holly Spice.
þakgil river view. Thakgil By Bryony Gill. Hidden Iceland.
glacier view. By Bryony Gill. Hidden Iceland.
Thorsmork Valley. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Dagny Bjorg * Featured
Thorsmörk Highlands. Photo by Dagny Bjorg. Hidden Iceland
Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Volcano Hike
Your final few days in Iceland will be a little easier. Well, except for the dormant volcano hike.
You’ll venture into the Golden Circle area to enjoy one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls at Gullfoss, see the ever erupting geyser at Geysir and learn all about Iceland’s geological past at the Þingvellir National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and much more in this incredible spot.
The following day you will visit the recently erupted volcano at Geldingadalur (now dormant) and take in some of the lesser known geological hot spots of the Reykjanes peninsula. Coincidentally, this is also where the well visited Blue Lagoon is situated. Not a bad way to end your time in Iceland before your flight home the following day.
Gullfoss in summer by Daniel Guindo
Strokkur at Geysir Erupting in the Golden Circle by Guindo Amezcua
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch by Kat Craats
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Þingvellir tectonic plate boundary in the Golden Circle by Erik Solie, Hidden Iceland. Thingvellir National Park.
General Information
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Inclusions
– Accommodation for the duration of your stay, all activities, rental vehicle with wifi from arrival to departure (type of vehicle depends on group size and preferences), all taxes and booking fees, carbon offsetting of your fuel usage.
– Custom itinerary for the duration of your stay. When we create your final itinerary we give you a very detailed itinerary which includes an interactive map, including a day by day map, trip breakdown as well as full detail on each stop with background information, facts, history etc on each sight. You can view it online, or can save as a pdf. You can also download a free app that allows you to have the itinerary on your phone, which then allows it to link to google maps to help with navigation.
– Hidden Iceland support and assistance every step of the way.
Optional Extras
– You can request additional activities, additional days, a full extra day(s) in Reykjavík and suggested activities in the city. This tour is fully customisable to your needs under our guidance.
Exclusions
– Flights to and from Iceland, meals unless otherwise specified.
– Fuel
Ready to make this your dream trip?
Please try to give us as much information in your submission as you can. We respond to all tour requests within 7 days, but please reach out to us if your request is urgent, or you want to provide more info.
