Iceland

Hiking in South Iceland: The Drama of Nature

Program No. 10537RJ
Discover stunning natural beauty as you explore colorful volcanic landscapes, bubbling geothermal pools and sparkling waterfalls with local experts.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

The world’s 18th-largest island is also one of the most fascinating, where eons of glaciation, combined with an active molten core, have resulted in a landscape like few others on the planet. Traverse the landscape and national parks on foot, studying Iceland’s natural and cultural history with local experts. Don’t miss a chance to revitalize in one of South Iceland’s many thermal pools.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Challenging
Hikes can be between 6-8 miles on uneven terrain; both established trails and “off trail” routes, elevation changes up to 1,500 feet on hikes.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn about Iceland’s geothermal energy source.
  • Explore Skaftafell National Park, which spans three glaciers on the southern edge of Vatnajökull.
  • Soak in a naturally heated river in the colorful, volcanic Landmannalaugar region.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
21 Meals
8 Breakfasts
7 Lunches
6 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024
  • Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024
  • Jul 16, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
  • Aug 06, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
  • Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
  • Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
  • Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024 (Hveragerdi to Reykjavik)
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Oraefi
Hotel Skaftafell is a splendid resort located near Skaftafell National Park. The hotel is sheltered by vegetated glacial moraines in front of one of Iceland’s most impressive glaciers, the Svínafellsjökull glacier. It truncates from the biggest volcano and highest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull (2119 m). Behind the hotel, there are many of the highest and most impressive glacier peaks in the country. In front, a vast glacial outwash plain stretches to the sea, some 20 km away.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Oraefi
Hotel Skaftafell is a splendid resort located near Skaftafell National Park. The hotel is sheltered by vegetated glacial moraines in front of one of Iceland’s most impressive glaciers, the Svínafellsjökull glacier. It truncates from the biggest volcano and highest mountain in Iceland, Öræfajökull (2119 m). Behind the hotel, there are many of the highest and most impressive glacier peaks in the country. In front, a vast glacial outwash plain stretches to the sea, some 20 km away.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.
Hotel Ork
2 nights
Hveragerdi,
Hotel Ork is located in Hveragerdi, the hot spring capital of Iceland!
1 night
Hella
The Highland Center Hrauneyjar is situated in the southern part of Iceland’s uninhabited interior region, with spectacular views of Mt. Hekla. The hotel offers many marked hiking trails in the surrounding area.
1 night
880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The charming Hótel Laki is a family-run country hotel set amidst beautiful Icelandic countryside. Just outside the doors is a nine hole golf course, and incredible views of mountains, glaciers and a never-ending sky. Comfortable and stylish rooms await its guests, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is less than four miles away.
2 nights
Hornafjordur
The Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family run farm/hotel with views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean located along Iceland’s Ring Road.
1 night
Reykjavik
The Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel is a new and stylish hotel in the old downtown harbor district of Reykjavik. The hotel combines colorful and modern design with old relics of the harbor and shipyard to create a bright and authentic maritime atmosphere.





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