Strolling in Iceland: looking for short, flat, remote, and scenic trails

June 20, 2016 7:51 PM

We are a small group of photographers spending 2 weeks in Iceland. For us, somewhere that feels remote is way more appealing than checking off the can’t-miss attractions alongside everybody else. However, this is in conflict with our hiking ability: the group can handle moderately rough trails (no scrambling, but some loose rocks are fine), we are probably OK with up to 2km round-trip per hike, but hills are a problem (please, no more than 30m elevation change.) Just like everybody else, we’re driving all around the island, including the westfjords, and have a (questionable) 4x4.

For calibration, we’ve already spent some time around Snaefellsjokull, and have proof that what we’re looking for does exist!
* The walk from Arnarstapi to Hellnar is fantastic! (Especially the part before you hit the lava field - the lava field itself would be pushing it for elevation change, but not ruggedness.)
* Snekkjufoss was the highlight of the trip so far. Scenic, flat hike that ended at a chasm. We had it all to ourselves.
* Raudfeldargja was pushing it for elevation change, but the scrambling into the mouth of the chasm was fine.
* Klukkufoss and Sjonarholl and Saxholl Crater are too much climbing. Well … one of them would be doable as the main event in a day, if it was truly special.

posted by Metasyntactic to Travel & Transportation around Iceland (1 answer total)

Look into Landmannalauger. I can't recall precise elevation change, but I remember it as a beautiful, relatively easy hike for the first few km.
posted by googly at 5:47 PM on June 21, 2016