Iceland has some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, making it a playground for the daring. The best creations of mother nature are abundant in the country of fire and ice. With more than a million tourists arriving there each year, Iceland is known for its ability to entertain visitors. Its people and scenery undoubtedly have a special something that enchants visitors and leaves them wanting more.

With its constantly shifting seasons, it is lovely all year round and there is never a poor time to go. Iceland welcomes travelers to explore its marvels, from the midnight sun to snow-covered cities. For those looking for excitement, Iceland offers an abundance of scenic backdrops for adventure activities, including volcanoes, glaciers, and exploding geysers.

Does Icelandic adventure travel make sense?

There are a lot of ways that nature may heal you, and Iceland has some of the most amazing landscapes and natural wonders. Having made five personal trips to this stunning nation, I’ve experienced a good number of adventurous activities. I’ve never felt more alive than I do now, whether I’m climbing glaciers or trekking volcanoes.

I’ll never forget my initial landing and adventure activity booking in Iceland. Before I knew it, I was headed to the South Coast with ten strangers. I saw puffins, experienced one of the hardest treks I’ve ever done, and enjoyed black sand beaches. We were given crampons for our boots and ice-climbing axes by our guide, and we were on our way.

We hiked over the glacier’s smooth surface, and I had never felt more relaxed and excited in my life. I can confidently state that, having traveled to over 32 nations, this is the best location I’ve seen for experiencing adventurous travel. Adventurers can easily choose an activity that fits them because to the diverse settings, which include moss-covered mountains and lava plains on opposite sides.

The top 6 adventurous things to do in Iceland
That much is certain: adventure tourism in Iceland is worthwhile. But which are the most worthwhile hobbies when there are so many to pick from? Here are a few of my top picks for your Icelandic adventure trip.

1.] Mountaineering

Hiking is the best way to experience Iceland when it comes to adventure tourism. Iceland has a range of hiking destinations to experience the finest of the wild and untamed beauty of the country, with hundreds of mountains and isolated regions to pick from.

There are many different adventure activities available, such as hiking on a volcanic site or scaling a glacier’s flat surface. In Iceland, nearly every location is regarded as a hiking destination. Some of the most well-known waterfalls in the nation can only be reached by ascending a few hundred steps or crossing minor waterways.

The views from the summit of Skogafoss waterfall were undoubtedly worth the roughly 500 steps of climbing that I had to do to get there. It takes a little practice to understand even something as basic as the Golden Circle.

Trekking down to the Gulfoss waterfall can be quite an adventure, depending on the season you come. Once in September, I went there and struggled through the slick hike in the pouring rain. Would I repeat the experience? Indeed!

2.] Riding a Horse

The scenery of Iceland is ideal for hiking, driving, and walking, but what about another daring form of transportation? The ideal mode of transportation across the nation, Icelandic horses are renowned across the globe for their gentle disposition toward everyone.

Icelandic horses are among the cleanest kinds of horses in the world and make excellent friends. They are built to cross glacial rivers and climb mountains. These amiable creatures, who are distinguished by their five gaits, provide a quicker way to navigate the untamed terrain.

I was amazed at how docile Icelandic horses were toward people when I first petted one. They have a very calm presence and are ideal for both novice and experienced horseback riders. Without a few horseback rides, what would be Icelandic adventure travel?

3.] Taking a canoe

Paddling around glaciers should be at the top of your list if you’re searching for adventurous tourism in Iceland. Numerous tour activities here involve some sort of glacier activity, since there are over 269 designated glaciers in the nation.

The thrill of canoeing over the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is unmatched. You will see mother nature at her most beautiful when you row amid the icebergs and are greeted by an amiable seal.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I set foot on the Sólheimajökull glacier with my ice-climbing axes for the first time. Despite my initial anxiety, this ended up being one of the most amazing events of my life.

4.] Climbing

There are a ton of climbing and hiking routes available across the nation, so there are plenty of alternatives to select from and ways to explore them. Many daring tourists often choose to visit Landmannalaugar. It’s simple to understand why you must visit this location for your climbing trip given its varied landscapes and vibrant hills!

But you don’t have to stop there—you’re in for a treat because practically everywhere in Iceland includes hiking, which usually implies there are climbing chances as well! On your travels, you will nearly always come across distinctive climbing locations in Iceland.

5.] Mineral Resources

I walked the steep mountainside to observe the first lava spew, and there was no turning back. It’s true that I safely walked an erupting volcano back in 2020, and it was undoubtedly one of the finest adventurous things I could have done in Iceland. It seems sense to include geological activities on your list of things to do when visiting a nation known as “The Land of Fire and Ice.”

Although eruptions are unpredictable, Iceland is home to several dormant volcanoes that are worth seeing. The major tourist destination Eldfell Volcano is still active but is closely watched. Kerid Crater is an off-the-beaten-path location that you simply must see if you’re searching for a volcanic crater lake.

Take a hike around the crater’s edge or investigate from below. The lake’s azure waters create a striking contrast with the red rocks. The majority of the country is covered in volcanic rock, so if geology and formations interest you, you’re in luck.

6.] Climbing mountains

Walking is often cited as the greatest way to explore a new nation, but what about mountaineering? Without a doubt, this is among Iceland’s top adventurous activities. Climbing mountains will give you a different viewpoint on the untamed terrain of the South Coast.

Mountaineering is undoubtedly an exciting way to experience it all, from above black sand beaches to traversing gushing waterfalls. Reaching the summit of a peak to get an alternative perspective will give you a completely new understanding of this amazing nation. So grab your crampons and pitons and head to the South Coast, the epicenter of adventure in Iceland!