From taking advantage of snowy conditions while skiing and skidooing, to soaking up the country’s majestic scenery while hiking or horse riding, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to tempt travellers on an Iceland vacation.
Downhill Skiing in Iceland
Good facilities for downhill skiing in Iceland are in its main cities: Reykjavik, the capital, and Akureyri. Skiing areas with shorter drag lifts also inhabit other towns. About a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik is Blafjoll, one of the main skiing areas. Skiiers will find one chairlift, several drag lifts and ski and boot rentals. They won’t be able to stay overnight as there’s no accommodation, but if they’re hungry, a cafeteria is on site.
Over at Hlioarfjall, just above Akureyri, one chair lift and three drag lifts cater to skiers, as well as a café and sleeping-bag accommodation. To get to Hlioarfjall, skiers can take a bus that leaves the city bus terminal three times a day. In Reykjavik, buses depart the BSI bus terminal several times a day.
Skidooing Trips in Iceland
Adventurers who wish to whoosh across a glacier should head to Hofn, for day trips that run daily to the Vatnajokull icecap. Once there, travellers can join either an hour or two-hour guided trip by skidoo. Full day trips are also possible, but those should be booked in advance through a tour operator.
Whale Watching in Iceland
Iceland being an island in the North Atlantic Ocean puts it in the midst of whale traffic. Larger whales tend to stick around the north of Iceland, around Husavik and in the Breidafjorour bay, while dolphins frolic off the south coast. Minke, sperm whales and killer whales make appearances most often, with finbacks and humpbacks are spotted less often.
Prime times for whale watching are in late spring and summer and they can sometimes be seen from shore, breaking the water’s surface. For those opting to head out to sea for a closer look at the mammals, there are several tour operators from which to choose. Some even offer to give their customers their money back if they don’t see a whale.
Horse Riding in Iceland
The Icelandic horse is a sturdy and hearty animal, and farms across Iceland offer visitors anything from a one-hour ride on them to a week-long trek, where food and accommodation is included in the trip. Most horse riding excursions can be booked in advance through operators. The Tourist Information Office in Reykjavik can provide visitors with information about stables.
Hiking Trails in Iceland
Hikers in Iceland may want to consider heading to its national parks, with Jokulsargljufur National Park and the national parks of Pingvellir and Skaftafell, in particular. In Jokulsargljufur, a trail that can take hikers on a two-day trek follows the gorge from Asbyrgi to Dettifoss. Camp sites are en route.
In Pingvellir and Skaftafell, and in protected areas such as Myvatn, there are paths suitable for day hikes. A popular, marked, long-distance trail runs from Landmannalaugar south to the coast at Skogar, and takes four to five days to hike to its completion. The trail is well trodden and takes hikers past stunning scenery.
Outdoor activities in Iceland abound, and cater to all tastes. Snow lovers can ski near the country’s capital, Reykjavik, and the town of Akureyri, while skidoos will take visitors on trip on the Vatnajokull icecap. Nature lovers can hit the hiking trails in national parks, and animal lovers can ride an Icelandic horse or head out to sea on a whale-watching tour.
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