Are you looking for the perfect day hikes near Reykjavik? Well look no further than these 3 amazing and unique hikes. Iceland as a whole feels almost like being on another planet, and you don’t need to go far from the capital city (or airport) to experience it. Between the incredible landscapes, geothermal activity and variety of natural wonders, there is truly nowhere else on Earth quite like Iceland! And with the hikes I’ll share with you here, you get to see so much of that otherworldly magic, all without venturing too far.
1. Reykjadalur Thermal River
8 km hike, 45 minutes from Reykjavik
You’ve probably soaked in hot springs before, but have you ever soaked in a hot river? I know I hadn’t before heading to Reykjadalur Thermal River. It is such a unique experience to get to sit in flowing hot water surrounded by nothing but beautiful views. Plus, based on where you go in you can basically adjust the temperature to be just right for you. This is because the further upstream you go the hotter it is – all the way from very cold near the start of the hike to boiling hot at the top!
And not only is the river super cool, but the whole hike is incredibly scenic! This whole hike, and especially the hot river, was one of my most magical experiences in Iceland.
Tip
Keep walking past where people are bathing. When you get to a little bridge keep right (don’t go uphill), and you will come to a spot with some really cool geothermal activity to witness. Just past there it will look like the end of the path, but peak around the corner and you will see a waterfall!
How to find this hike
Coming from Reykjavik, you’ll want to take the 1 to the town of Hveragerði. From there you will turn onto Breiðamörk Road and follow it for about 4 kms, going straight through the town. On the other side of the town you will start to feel like you are driving into the middle of nowhere but in a few minutes you will see a lone café/restaurant on your left. This is the Reykjadalur Café and the starting place of the hike! Note that you will have to pay for parking.
2. Fagradalsfjall Volcano
5-12+ km hike (flexible), 50 minutes from Reykjavik
It’s certainly not everyday you get to see (and touch!) black hardened lava. You may have heard of the 6 month long volcanic eruption that started in March 2021, or the eruption in August 2022. Well, both of these happened in the same vicinity and left a lot of evidence behind. If you have never seen what freshly hardened lava looks like, this is definitely the place to do it, as it expands further than the eye can see here!
Picking a route
There are several view points worth checking out in this area. There is clear signage along the way, and an information booth in the parking lot to help you decide which path you want to take. However, I recommend heading to Medadalir Volcano (about 6 kms one way) which takes you past the Stórhóll viewpoint (about 2.5 km from the first parking lot). At Stórhóll viewpoint you can see the expanse of lava from the 2021 eruption, still steaming over a year later! Then, at Medadalir Volcano you are at a cool vantage point, looking down into a valley of lava from the 2022 eruption. However, after you get about a kilometer into the hike you will be seeing hardened lava the whole way, and often be so close you can reach down and touch it! Don’t walk on it though, as it may not be stable underneath.
Tip
Pack a lunch and eat it with an incredible view at the Medadalir Volcano before heading back. If it is windy you can sit on the side of the hill to block the wind!
How to find this hike
From Reykjavik, take the 41 to the 43 which will take you to Grindavik. As you are entering Grindavik, turn onto the 427. In about 6 kms you will see a parking lot on your left. This is parking lot 1, which is the best one for the route I recommend. If you continue a little further you will get to parking lot 2 which gives better access to some of the other viewpoints. Note that you will have to pay for parking at either parking lot.
3. Thorbjörn Hike
7 – 13 km hike depending on route, 45 minutes from Reykjavik
Thorbjörn offers stunning views of the surrounding valley, as well as close up views of impressive lava fields. This combination makes Thorbjörn a perfect choice for starting out your trip in Iceland! The 360 degree views from the top show how expensive the lava fields are, showcasing Iceland’s unique terrain. From the top you can also see the blue lagoon, a couple villages, and the ocean! But this hike certainly isn’t just about the peak, there are so many interesting things to see and investigate along the way.
Picking a route
Located just behind the blue lagoon, there are a series of trails around Thorbjörn mountain. Trails run around the bottom of the mountain, including a trail all the way to the nearby town of Grindavik, as well as to the top of the mountain. Due to this, this hike can be a bit of a choose your own adventure.
However, I would definitely recommend walking along the bottom first, and then coming back on top. This way you get to start by experiencing the incredible lava fields close up first, and then let the excitement build as you climb to the top!
To do this, keep right at the first intersection. You will walk along the bottom of the mountain until you get to a road. Walk along the road for a few hundred meters before turning left on the first sideroad you see. Pretty much immediately from here you will see a small trail on your left. It basically goes straight up the hill and can be hard to notice, so look carefully! At the top take some time to explore and enjoy the views. Then, head back down the other side of the mountain.
Tip
While at the top don’t just look up. There are so many cool rocks on the ground. I was surprised to find out how many different ways lava rocks can look!
How to find this hike
Take the 41 out of Reykjavik, then turn onto the 43. From there you will turn right onto 426, Bláa lónið and park in the blue lagoon parking lot. There is a short trail starting right from the parking lot that will take you to a smaller parking lot on the other side of the resort. Walk through the parking lot and across the road to start the hike.
You can find a map of this hike and others on the blue lagoon’s website: https://www.bluelagoon.com/topics/hikes-and-walks
What are some other incredible hikes near Reykjavik you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!
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