Known as the land of fire and ice, Iceland’s glorious landscape often conjures up visions of an extraterrestrial planet. With a geographical roadmap that runs the gamut from geothermal springs to glaciers, a bounty of one-of-a-kind adventures in Iceland activities awaits adventure travelers. From hiking and ice climbing to scuba diving and whale watching, check out these outdoor adventures in Iceland.
1. Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing on the Sólheimajökull Glacier
Iceland’s fourth largest glacier, the tumbling icy landscape of Sólheimajökull Glacier dwarfs all who approach. Talk about adventures in Iceland, hiking up this varying icy landscape delivers an exhilarating experience. The slippery surface of the ice paired with the varying slopes and inclines make an ice axe, crampons, and a seasoned guide a necessity.
You’ll likely fall on your tailbone at least a few times as you first start your trek upward. But, as you get the hang of using the ice axe to save you from further bruising, your guide will point out some of the most beautiful vistas this country has on offer. Whether crawling through an ice cave or climbing up a tall wall of ice, navigating Sólheimajökull delivers an anything but boring adventure.
Already made the hike? This glacier is constantly changing, melting, and refreezing into different shapes, so each visit is a new adventure! And, with the rapid melting rate of these magnificent glaciers, why wouldn’t you want to explore them as much as possible?
www.extremeiceland.is/solheimajokull
2. Hiking along the Krafla Fires
Earthquakes between 1975 and 1984 opened up a long volcanic fissure near the volcano, sending waves of fire and lava over the landscape. While the lava itself is gone, its marks on the landscape remain visible and, in some spots, dangerous. This is one of the few places in the world where you can have the surreal experience of standing ankle-deep in snow while touching a black patch of earth, still hot from molten lava.
An unforgettable adventure in Iceland, the hike around Krafla takes you past steam vents, rugged lava rocks, and thermal pools. This is one of the few times that you don’t want to venture off the beaten path, as dangerous hot spots still lurk among the rocks.
After hiking along the fissure, the path takes you to a spot that literally stares into the pit of Hell. A massive volcanic explosion in the 1720s left a huge crater that the Icelandic people call Viti, which translates to “Hell.” It’s easy to see why they coined this name; the crater is colossal, more than 980 feet in diameter. Today, however, the crater is filled with beautiful bright turquoise water, leaving Viti to look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
3. Scaling Mountains in Snæfellsjökull
Snæfellsjökull (try saying that fast five times) is arguably the most famous volcano in Iceland, impressive in a country where even a short drive will uncover at least a few of them. Although this stratovolcano has been around for more than 700,000 years, it really sprang to fame after its role in the film of Jules Vernes’ novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth, as the entrance to the Earth’s insides. It wasn’t this impression though, that made people avoid scaling this giant volcano. Until the 19th century, the word on the street was that it was the entrance to hell.
Thankfully, a brave soul finally made the trek up Snæfellsjökull and realized that it was an awesome hike with killer views of the Icelandic landscape from its summit. Although it’s a fairly popular hiking destination today, how many can say that they’ve hiked up the supposed gateway to the center of the earth? We’re guessing very few.
www.adventures.is/SnaefellsjokullGlacier/
4. Camping in Landmannalaugar
Translated as the “countryman’s bathing pool,” Landmannalaugar is an unbelievably beautiful area, surrounded by snowcapped mountains, ancient lava fields, and steamy hot springs, earning it the nickname “the pearl of the central highlands.” Where does the adventure come in? This stunning landscape is the work of Hekla—the country’s second most active volcano.
Its geological variety makes Landmannalaugar a mecca for hikers with its icy lakes, colorful rhyolite mountains, and glossy obsidian plains. After you’ve tired from trekking all around it, there’s no better place to set up camp for the night. The main camping area, perched on the edge of a lava field, has running water, shower blocks and outdoor cooking areas. Or, if you just want to rough it, you can pop a tent right on the ground and enjoy the breathtaking views of the moon looming over the shimmery mountains.
5. White Water Rafting
Let’s be honest, rafting adventures in Iceland mean cold with a capital C. I mean, when your raft could pass by a glacier at any moment, you know you’re in frigid territory. But, for those willing to brave the cold, the rapids here deliver some of the most exhilarating white water thrills in the world.
Hvítá River, which is pronounced “Kveetau” for those of you not fluent in Icelandic (so pretty much everyone), is the most popular rafting destination in Iceland and is conveniently located about an hour from Reykjavík Arctic Adventures. The river passes through the scenic Brúarhlöð canyon and past a huge geyser. Arctic Adventures, one of the leading rafting companies in Iceland, even gives those on their trips a chance to cliff jump into the icy river below. After all your icy fun, the Arctic Adventures base camp has a sauna and a stash of beer to help warm you up.
6. Whale Watching
Who wants to go on a whale-watching expedition and not see some whales? I’m willing to guess no one. Thanks to the large population of whales living in the waters surrounding Iceland, more than 90% of whale-watching trips here spot at least a few of these popular marine mammals. Most tours, however, see many more than a few. And, as an added bonus, more than 23 different species inhabit Iceland’s icy waters, meaning most tours promise glimpses of whales of all shapes and sizes!
While whales are the headliners of the expeditions, plenty of other guest stars make their way to center stage. Puffins, dolphins, and porpoises make frequent appearances, too. You know what they say; come for the whales, and stay for the incredible array of other animals.
7. Go Underground Through Lava Caves and Craters
If there’s anything that the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010 reminded us, it’s that Iceland is one big geological hot spot (and that Icelandic proper names are basically impossible to pronounce). All that lava is flowing just underfoot through assorted underground tubes, caves and caverns. Fortunately for us, not all of them are filled with scalding lava and many are waiting to be explored.
Lace up your hiking boots and layer on the fleece, these colorful underground tubes are rugged and cold. But their beauty is almost indescribable. Tall ceilings, multicolored walls, stalagmites, and lava formations make them a picturesque sight. And to think, these tubes stretch for miles and miles just under the surface.
www.extremeiceland.is/caving-iceland/
8. Scuba Diving in Silfra
Iceland’s unique and beautiful landscape, marked by volcanoes, glaciers, and everything in between, is a result of its physical position on the rift between the European and North American tectonic plates. This fact holds true for the underwater landscape as well. What does this nifty geological fact mean for adventurous travelers? It means that you can swim between continental plates in Iceland!
The Silfra Fissure (the underwater split between the two continents) boasts one of the world’s best diving and snorkeling adventures. The water remains pretty cold year-round. But, this crystal clear water ensures visibility of more than 300 feet, giving divers and snorkelers views of an underwater landscape million of years in the making. Underwater caves, caverns, lava formations, and sand slopes make the Silfra Fissure one of the most surreal sights in the world.
www.dive.is/dive-sites/silfra/
9. Jeep Adventures in Porsmork
I know what you’re thinking; how is riding in a Jeep much of an adventure? Trust me; these ain’t your normal Jeeps. Rather, these Jeeps are specially outfitted to weather the beautiful but often rigorously rugged Icelandic landscape. They have to be heavy-duty off-roading machines to make it over glaciers and through dense forests and swift rivers.
These “Super Jeeps” are the best way to experience the Porsmork area, a forest-covered valley nestled between three huge glaciers. According to legend, Porsmork is the home of Thor (the traditional Nordic god, not the attractive blonde superhero). It’s easy to see why this area would breed the god associated with strength. The landscape is super rugged, marked by sharp inclines and craggy mountains, and the river Krossá is dangerously rapid. While the landscape is harsh, it’s breathtakingly lush, covered with around 170 different species of flora. The drive makes it easy to understand the softer side of the hammer god, also associated with fertility and healing.
There are multiple Jeep expeditions through Porsmork, but the one offered by Arctic Adventures is one of the most popular. A two-day tour hits area highlights like lava caves in the Blue Mountains and the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Due to space limitations, tour groups are small. But, this gives you exclusive access to your guide’s extensive geological and mythological knowledge. After all, what better way to trace the footsteps of the god of power than in a Super Jeep?
10. Explore the Inside of Thrihnukagigur Volcano
Ever wanted to get a look at the inside of a volcano? Thrihnukagigur, which has been dormant for more than 4,000 years, is the only place in the world you can get up close and personal with magma chambers and lava tubes (minus the lava, of course). The tour starts with an open cable lift trip 400 feet down to the bottom of the volcano’s crater, which is deep enough to fit the Statue of Liberty inside!
On the floor of Thrihnukagigur, you’ll be put into the trustworthy hands of an experienced guide who can take you through the safe tubes and caves of the volcano. The heart of the volcano looks like a kaleidoscope, its walls colored with purples, reds, blues, blacks, and yellows. The cave is so beautiful and serene that you almost forget that this crater was once filled with 2,000°F (1093°C) boiling lava. Almost.
Editors Note: Iceland recently reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers outside Europe’s Schengen zone. Keep up to date with the latest restrictions and details at www.landlaeknir.is