9 Jaw-Dropping Hikes Near Vík, Iceland
Vík, Iceland, is known for its dramatic landscapes, black sand beaches, and stunning hikes within close driving distance.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging full-day hike or a shorter, easier walk, the area around Vík offers a variety of hiking trails that showcase Iceland’s natural beauty.
From glacier hikes to volcanic landscapes and picturesque waterfalls, these nine breathtaking hikes near Vík are perfect to add to your Iceland itinerary!
In this guide, I’ll share details about each hike, including distance, difficulty, and tips to help you plan your hikes.
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9 Hikes Near Vík, Iceland
Here are 9 hikes near Vík, ranging from easy walks with beautiful views to more challenging hikes in remote locations.
1. Reynisfjall Mountain
The hike up Reynisfjall Mountain takes you above the town of Vík for 360° views of the town, including the beautiful black sand beaches and surrounding landscapes.
Once you reach the top, the trail splits, and I recommend staying to the left (clockwise) for a better-marked path and safer conditions away from the cliff’s edge.
Based on recommendations from other hikers, I suggest making this an out-and-back trail on the left side (clockwise) rather than following the loop that All Trails suggests.
There isn’t a clear parking area so I would recommend parking at the church and then walking down from there.
Do keep in mind that it can get very windy so be sure to bring a jacket.
As a bonus, you have a high chance of spotting puffins here during the summer months!
➡️ Check out my blog post on things to do in Vik to add to your itinerary! I recommend staying in Vik for a few nights during your trip to Iceland.
2. Sólheimajökull Glacier
A short drive from Vík brings you to Sólheimajökull Glacier, where you can take a short hike up to the edge of the glacier.
You do not need a guide on this hike as long as you don’t walk on the actual glacier itself, which I don’t recommend doing without booking a guided tour.
You can walk close enough to the glacier along a small rocky path until you reach the second warning sign. I would not go past that sign without being on a guided tour.
Tip: If you’re wanting to do a glacier hike, I highly recommend hiking the Vatnajökull glacier instead of Sólheimajökull Glacier. We hiked the Vatnajokull Glacier with a local company called Local Guide of Vatnajökull. We did the longer hike option, called the Glacier Discovery, and it was phenomenal!
3. Kvernufoss Waterfall
Located near the popular Skógafoss waterfall, Kvernufoss is about a 30-minute drive from Vik.
It requires a short and easy hike from the parking lot to reach the waterfall.
It’s far less crowded than Skógafoss and you can walk behind the waterfall, offering a unique perspective!
This was our favorite waterfall in Iceland that we visited during our trip since we got it all to ourselves!
Tip: I highly recommend visiting Kvernufoss after you visit Skogafoss. If you’re visiting around lunchtime, I highly recommend grabbing some delicious fish and chips from Mia’s Country Van close by.
➡️ Be sure to check out my 4-Day Iceland Itinerary to help you plan your trip!
4. Fimmvörðuháls Hike
Starting at Skógafoss, the Fimmvörðuháls hike is one of Iceland’s most famous hikes.
It’s a long and challenging trail that takes you past multiple waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and glaciers – breathtaking views the whole way!
This hike encompasses almost all of Iceland’s amazing geographical features!
If you want to complete this entire hike, it does require a good level of stamina and preparation due to the long distance and difficult terrain.
Make sure you’re prepared to take on this hike and that you pack plenty of food, water, and layers with you. I would also make sure that you do this hike on a good weather day.
It is a point-to-point trail, making it a little more difficult transportation-wise since you won’t start and end at the same place.
I think the best way to plan your transportation is to park your rental car at the Skógafoss parking lot and begin your hike from there.
Once you reach the end of the hike at Þórsmörk, you can book a 4×4 shuttle bus back to Skógafoss with Southcoast Adventure.
For a pricier option, you can book a private day hike with Southcoast Adventure as well if you want to have a guide with you.
Tip: If you don’t want to tackle the entire hike, consider hiking partway and turning back after a few hours. This would also make transportation easier as well.
5. Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
The Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck is a popular place to visit in Iceland.
It requires an approximately 2.5 mile walk across a black sand desert to the site of a US Navy plane wreck that crash-landed in 1973. There were no fatalities in the crash.
While the trail itself is easy and flat, it has been described as being pretty monotonous due to the lack of views along the way. However, the plane wreck site at the end is rather interesting and unique!
Personally, we didn’t do this during our trip to Iceland because it did not seem worth it for us due to the lack of views along the way. But, if it interests you more, it might be worth adding to your Iceland itinerary.
Tip: If you’re wanting to skip the walk to the plane wreck site, you can pay for a shuttle bus to take you directly to the site.
6. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
About an hour drive from Vík, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is a breathtaking spot to hike along the canyon’s edge.
The trail offers incredible views of the canyon’s steep cliffs, winding river, and mossy vegetation.
The hike is relatively short and easy and provides jaw-dropping views!
Tip: Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds, as this spot can get busy during peak hours.
7. Hatta Mountain
Located near Vík, this lesser-known hike takes you to the top of Hatta Mountain.
From the summit, you’ll get stunning views of the black sand beaches, the town of Vík, and the surrounding lava fields.
It’s a pretty challenging hike and very steep at the beginning and end of the trail.
Since it is pretty steep, I wouldn’t recommend doing this hike when it is raining since it can get muddy and slippery.
You will park at the church and walk up past the cemetery to begin the hike.
Tip: Bring sturdy hiking shoes as the trail can be rocky in some sections.
8. Valahnukur Volcano Hut
The Valahnukur Volcano Hut hike takes you through rugged volcanic terrain with fantastic views of glaciers, rivers, and the surrounding area.
It’s a bit more remote allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Iceland’s unique landscape!
I would go up the trail from the Volcano Huts side. It is rather steep and has lots of stairs you will climb.
Tip: This trail can get muddy, so I would avoid this hike if it is supposed to rain.
9. Seljavallalaug Pool
This short hike brings you to one of Iceland’s oldest geothermal swimming pools, Seljavallalaug, located in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains.
The hike is relatively easy and only takes about 20 minutes until you reach the natural pool where you can take a dip after exploring the area.
The surrounding views make the experience even more special!
It is free as well.
Tip: While the pool isn’t maintained, its rustic charm makes it a unique experience for those looking for something different.
➡️ Be sure to check out my blog post all about the best waterfalls in Iceland near Reykjavik to add to your itinerary!
Conclusion
With its diverse landscapes and unforgettable views, Iceland is a dream for hikers.
These nine hikes near Vik provide something for every type of hiker, from easy walks to more challenging hikes!
I have plenty of other blog posts about my trip to Iceland if you’re looking for more resources to help plan your trip!
- Reykjavik to Vik Drive: The Best Sights You Need to Stop at Along the Way
- Iceland Summer Packing List: What I Packed for My Trip in July
- 2-Day Iceland Itinerary: Must-See Waterfalls, Glaciers, and More
- How Much Does a 5-Day Trip to Iceland Cost? [Detailed Budget Breakdown]
- 13 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland Near Reykjavik (Within 2.5 Hours)
- An Epic 4-Day Iceland Itinerary to See the Best Sights
- Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Iceland: What You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Iceland Bucket List: 43 Adventures You Can’t Miss in Iceland
- 12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Vik, Iceland: A Complete Guide
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