Iceland Winter Wonders Hiking Tour
Spectacular Nature on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
- Available: February, March, October, November
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels
Highlights
- Photograph the small Búðakirkja church, constructed of black wood in the 18th century on an ancient lava field dotted with jagged black rock formations
- Descend into the ancient Vatnshellir lava tube cave via spiral staircase
- Soak in the natural Hvammsvik Hot Springs, set along the shoreline and ever-changing due to the flow of the tides.
Itinerary
Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Day 1
Touch down at Keflavik International Airport, where your guide awaits to transfer you to Reykjavik, with a breakfast stop along the way, or at the hotel. Check into your hotel and spend an afternoon at leisure in Iceland's capital city. Your guides will stay at your service for a walk around town or city sightseeing recommendations. Meet your group for a welcome drink, orientation, and dinner.
Accommodation: Iceland Parliament Hotel
Transportation: 45-minute private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore Snaefellsnes South
Day 2
Set a course for the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, today focusing on the southern part. A scenic, 2.5-hour drive brings you to the tiny village of Hellnar, an ancient fishing port with a beautiful old harbor. Visit the cold-water spring found at the lava's edge (it was dedicated to the Holy Virgin, who according to legend once appeared here). Hike along the coast amidst basalt rock formations to the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi, then drive on to Buoir, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Before calling it a day, visit Buoir's iconic black church and nearby golden-sand beach, then hike across the Buoahraun lava field, up to the Buoaklettur crater and back. Enjoy dinner back at the hotel, but don't go to bed without taking the chance to hunt for the Northern Lights.
Accommodation: Hotel Buoir
Activity: 3-4 hours/4.2 miles hiking with 328' elevation gain
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover Snaefellsnes North
Day 3
Today, continue on to Snaefellsnes National Park and the northern reaches of the peninsula. Your first stop is at the Pufubjarg bird cliff, home of nesting puffins and fulmars. From here, hike along the rugged coastline to the Londrangar basalt cliffs, a geologic wonder that looks like a huge rock castle, and Malarrif, where you can see the lighthouse and explore the beach. Drive on to the western point of the peninsula to visit the 8,000-year-old lava tube cave, Vatnshellir, and then onwards to Black Lava Pearl Beach (Djupalonssandur), with its breathtaking coastal cliffs, mysterious rock formations, strong surf, and amazing black pebbles. Continue north, where you'll have the opportunity to climb up to the crater of Saxholl, then stop for lunch at the fishing village Olafsvik. Finally, explore the picturesque Kirkjufell mountain and the idyllic town of Stykkisholmur before returning to Buoir to overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Buoir
Activity: A few short hikes totaling 2-3 hours/2.4-3.7 miles
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Waterfalls & Soak in Hot Springs
Day 4
Drive to the beautiful Borgarfjordur area to witness the Hraunfossar waterfall and Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. On the return trip to Reykjavik, stop to hike or snowshoe to the Glymur waterfall or into the Glymur gorge. Take a much-anticipated stop to soak weary muscles in the Hvammvik nature baths (for a true invigoration, dip into the cold sea between trying out the eight hot pools). Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon and enjoy a farewell dinner in town before spending your final evening at the hotel.
Accommodation: Iceland Parliament Hotel
Activity: 3 hours/4.6 miles hiking with 804' elevation gain
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Reykjavik
Day 5
After breakfast, explore Reykjavik at your leisure before transferring to Keflavik International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
MT Sobek is a legendary pioneering outfitter, who has been operating adventures throughout Europe since 1970.
Our trips are designed for hikers and travelers who are looking for an authentic adventure, not a tourist experience — and this trip is no exception.
Hike with expert local MT Sobek guides who know the most beautiful, hidden spots to catch a once-in-a-lifetime view.
Dates & Prices
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Ivar F.
Ivar is a legend! He is one of Iceland's best and most active mountaineers and ice climbers, racking up many first ascents. Ivar also guides ski-touring trips in winter, and climbing and hiking trips in summer-occasionally stepping outside of Iceland to guide around Mont Blanc, Mt. Elbrus, and Mt. Vinson. In addition to being an experienced guide, Ivar manages and develops the mountaineering and climbing courses to train new guides. Meet Ivar on MT Sobek's popular adventures in Iceland.
Dagny I.
Dagny enjoys taking time to explore the wonders of Iceland, whether guiding, traveling, or working as a warden in a remote mountain hut. She is a folklorist with a degree in gender studies and loves sharing her home country with travelers on all different kinds of trips-from hut-to-hut hikes and cross-country skiing adventures to bird-watching tours. In her spare time Dagný likes to travel to faraway countries to hike, climb in the mountains, and soak up different cultures.
Elisabet A.
After having many indoor jobs, the idea of working outside and exploring nature and different parts of Iceland motivated Elísabet to become a guide. She loves spending time outdoors, seeing great views, hiking, climbing, running, camping, and almost everything that involves being in a beautiful landscape. She also has an arty side and enjoys drawing, painting, and photographing. Hike with Elísabet on MT Sobek's popular Iceland adventures.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Easy to moderate hikes from 2-4 hours per day, up to 4.5 miles, on gently rolling terrain with some snow (snowshoes may be required). Great opportunities to unwind at geothermal spas along the way.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
3-4 hours/4.2 miles hiking with 328' elevation gain
Day 3
A few short hikes totaling 2-3 hours/2.4-3.7 miles
Day 4
3 hours/4.6 miles hiking with 804' elevation gain
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels that exude the warm, friendly hospitality of Icelandic tradition.
Iceland Parliament Hotel
The Hotel Parliament by Hilton sits enviably in the heart of the city, next to the Icelandic Parliament - Alpingi and across from Austurvollur. Walk just five minutes to the Reykjavik Cathedral and Harpa concert hall. Guests have access to a first-class restaurant and a well-appointed spa.
Hotel Buoir
The charming Hotel Buoir is well known for its exquisite cuisine sourced from fresh ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen. Every room has a spectacular view, either toward the glacier, the sea, the mountains, the famous black church, or the lava field. Gather with fellow guests in the comfortable lounge after a day of exploring to enjoy a drink from the bar and the view of the mountains and Atlantic Ocean.
Weather
Expect fog, sun, snow, and rain, sometimes all in a single day. Dress warm!
Know Before You Book
While Northern Lights sightings can't be guaranteed (nature is fickle!), the Snaefellsnes is one of the best places to glimpse the Aurora because it is generally less cloudy than the rest of Iceland. Come with an open mind, and expect both rain and snow, which will determine whether you hike or snowshoe each day.
FAQs
Will I see the northern lights?
It is possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland in winter. However, Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Will there be snow?
Snowfall is possible between the months of late October through late April, but the heaviest snow is in December and January.
Will Iceland experience 24-hour darkness during this tour?
No. Our departures will operate when there is 8-10 hours of daylight each day.
Do I need to have previous experience snowshoeing?
No. This adventure is appropriate for beginner snowshoers, and not every departure will require snowshoes. If the snow is not very heavy, we will hike in boots.
What is the cuisine of Iceland in winter?
Icelandic fish soup is a favorite winter dish, accompanied by local seasonal vegetables, and topped off with cream and sherry.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
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