The 5 Best Family Hikes in Iceland

Blahnúkúr, meaning blue peak in English, is a 945-meter-high volcano located in Landmannalaugar. Formed during the Ice Age, the volcano's name and its characteristic blue-green hue are due to its rhyolitic rocks. The hike to the summit of Blahnukur is one of the most popular and breathtaking in the region, if not in all of Iceland. From the summit, the panorama of lava fields and fantastically colorful mountains and valleys is exceptional.

Tip: If you have the time and energy, combine this hike with the ascent of Brennisteinsalda for an even more memorable experience. See the Blahnukur and Brennisteinsalda hike page for more information.

Hveradalir is located in the heart of the Icelandic Highlands and is one of the country's largest geothermal areas. Surrounded by the majestic Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, which is composed of rhyolitic rock, it offers a colorful natural spectacle.

As you explore this site, you will be fascinated by the area's geological complexity, where mud pools, steaming rivers, and fumaroles intermingle. Hveradalir's different shades, ranging from yellow to green and rich orange tones, give it the appearance of a painting. However, the steam rising from the earth and the hot springs crisscrossing the region are what make this place unique and alive. Sometimes, it really feels like you're on another planet.

The Rauðibotn crater is part of the Eldgja canyon, the largest volcanic canyon in the world, created by the massive eruption of the Katla volcano in the 10th century. Rauðibotn means red bottom in Icelandic, referring to the bright red volcanic rock that makes up the crater and creates a striking contrast with the yellow moss, intense blue lake, and Hólmsá River. This hike is a true hidden gem of the Highlands, revealing extraordinary and wild landscapes.

Despite being located just one kilometer from the popular Skógafoss waterfall, the Kvernufoss waterfall is one of Iceland's hidden gems. Standing thirty meters high, Kvernufoss plunges into a narrow gorge through which the Kverna River winds. The intimate canyon offers a spectacular contrast between its dark walls and the intense yellow-green moss.

The trail encircles the waterfall, enabling visitors to admire the spectacle from behind the falls in a cave. It is a must-see, especially since it is located very close to the Golden Circle.

The Rauðauga hike leads to one of Iceland's most fascinating natural wonders: the Red Eye, the mysterious source of the Rauðfossakvísl River. The water's high iron content has stained the riverbed and waterfalls a distinctive rusty red color.

This enchanting place, which is still largely unknown, is located in the heart of the Highlands, in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Here, you will discover Rauðfoss, an impressive 60-meter-high waterfall, cascades, and a red river winding through the landscape.