Walking Routes in Southern Iceland
Southern Iceland has no city walking tours in the usual sense. The walks here are on paths through national park land, beside waterfalls and along a canyon rim. This page lists the routes with their conditions. Costs are in Icelandic króna (ISK).
Þingvellir: Almannagjá and Lögberg
Start at the visitor centre and follow the path through the Almannagjá rift to the Lögberg, the site of the old Alþingi, then on towards the waterfall Öxarárfoss. The park grounds are free to walk, but parking is paid: 1,000 ISK per day for a car with 5 or fewer seats, covering every lot that day. Pay at the machines or on checkit.is .
Skógafoss and the Skógá river
A staircase of about 527 steps climbs beside Skógafoss to a platform at the top. A trail continues upstream along the Skógá river past more waterfalls. Parking at Skógafoss is around 1,000 ISK.
Seljalandsfoss to Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss drops about 60 m, and a path usually loops behind it. The path is closed when ice forms, roughly November to March, so always look at the conditions on site. From the fall, Gljúfrabúi is a short walk north with a wet approach, so wear a waterproof layer and shoes that can get soaked. Parking at Seljalandsfoss is around 1,000 ISK.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon rim
A path runs along the rim of the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. The ledge made famous online is closed for nature protection, so stay on the marked path. The canyon can close in spring and autumn, so check safetravel.is before you drive out.
Fimmvörðuháls
The trail from Skógafoss to Fimmvörðuháls is 22 to 25 km and takes about 8 hours or more. It crosses high ground and glacier-area terrain, and it has been closed for glacier-area conditions in 2026, so check safetravel.is and the Met Office for conditions first, and go only if you are an experienced hiker.
Glacier walking
Walk on Sólheimajökull only with a certified guide. A guided hike supplies crampons, an ice axe, a helmet and a harness, lasts roughly 3 to 4 hours, and costs from about 13,500 ISK through resellers. Parking is about 750 ISK. Operators listed include Adventures.is and Mountain Guides .
Beach walking at Reynisfjara
Walk the beach at Reynisfjara only behind the warning-light limits. Sneaker waves surge far up the sand. Do not enter the yellow zone when the yellow light is on, never pass the sign when red is on, never turn your back on the sea, and never climb the basalt columns or enter the Hálsanefshellir cave in rough surf.
Before any walk
Wear waterproof layers and sturdy shoes, and carry a charged phone. The SafeTravel app can send your GPS location to the emergency number, 112. Check road.is for access roads.
Read more: Sightseeing in the Southern Region gives the background on each stop, and activities lists other ways to spend a day.
For guided walks, search GetYourGuide .