Best Hiking Trails on the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is best known for its waterfalls, geysers, and historic landmarks, but it also offers a variety of hiking opportunities.
Within a relatively compact area, you can hike to hidden waterfalls, walk through lava landscapes, climb volcanic craters, explore geothermal valleys, or even bathe in a naturally heated river after the hike.
Many of these trails sit only a short distance from the main route, making them easy to combine with the classic Golden Circle attractions without turning the day into a major hiking expedition.
Hiking allows you to experience parts of the landscape that most visitors never see from the roadside attractions. Instead of viewing the landscape from a platform or parking area, you become part of it for a while.
The Hiking Trails on the Golden Circle guide highlights the best hiking opportunities along the route, including waterfall walks, geothermal trails, and more challenging climbs with panoramic views.
Overview: Hiking on the Golden Circle
- Best easy hike: Þingvellir trails
- Best waterfall hike: Brúarfoss
- Best geothermal hike: Reykjadalur hot river
- Best short hike: Helgufoss
- Best summit hike: Ingólfsfjall
Þingvellir National Park Trails
| Distance: 3–6 km |
| Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Time: 1–2 hours |
| Access: Parking areas throughout the park |
Þingvellir offers some of the most accessible hiking trails on the Golden Circle. Well-maintained paths wind through the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, passing lava fields, waterfalls, and historic sites along the way.
Popular routes include:
• Almannagjá gorge
• Öxarárfoss waterfall
• lakeside paths near Þingvallavatn
If you only have time for one hike on the Golden Circle, Þingvellir is often the easiest place to start. The terrain is gentle, navigation is straightforward, and you can experience some of Iceland’s most important geological and historical landscapes without committing to a long hike.
What we particularly enjoy about hiking in Þingvellir is how much variety the area offers within a relatively short distance. In a single walk, you move between rift valleys, lava fields, waterfalls, and some of the most historically significant landscapes in Iceland.
Golden Circle & Snorkeling
Golden Circle Snorkeling Tour combines Iceland’s most famous sights with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra in Þingvellir National Park.
Golden Circle & Snorkeling
Tip: For a short and easy hike, follow the trail to Öxarárfoss. The walk takes only a few minutes and is suitable for almost all fitness levels.
Brúarfoss Waterfall Trail
| Distance: 7 km round trip |
| Difficulty: Moderate |
| Time: 2–3 hours |
| Access: Designated parking area |
Brúarfoss has become one of the most popular hiking stops on the Golden Circle, largely because of its remarkably blue water.
The trail follows the Brúará River through open countryside before reaching the waterfall itself. Along the way, you pass several smaller waterfalls and river viewpoints that are often just as enjoyable as the main attraction.
We have always felt that the river is just as much the attraction here as the waterfall itself. Approaching Brúarfoss, the extraordinary blue color of the river becomes impossible to miss.
The trail can become muddy after rain, so waterproof footwear is strongly recommended.
Facilities
• parking available
• restrooms near the parking area
• no café or visitor facilities
Parking
As of 2026, parking costs approximately 750 ISK per vehicle.
Reykjadalur Hot River Trail
| Distance: 6–7 km round trip |
| Difficulty: Moderate |
| Time: 2–3 hours |
| Access: Trailhead near Hveragerði |
If we had to choose the most unique hike near the Golden Circle, Reykjadalur would probably be our pick.
The trail leads through a geothermal valley filled with steam vents, hot springs, colorful hillsides, and bubbling geothermal activity before eventually reaching a naturally heated river where visitors can bathe.
Unlike many hikes in Iceland, Reykjadalur is not really about the destination alone. The entire valley feels active and alive, with steam rising from the ground in multiple locations throughout the walk.
The first section involves a steady uphill climb and is the most demanding part of the hike.
There are no formal changing facilities at the river. Simple privacy screens are available for changing clothes.
Conditions can vary:
- muddy sections in wet weather
- steady incline during the first part of the hike
Tip: If you plan to bathe in the river, bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes for the drive back to Reykjavík.
Helgufoss Waterfall Trail
| Distance: Within 2 km round trip |
| Difficulty: Easy |
| Time: 1 hour |
| Access: Short drive from the main route |
Helgufoss receives far fewer visitors than many of the better-known hikes around the Golden Circle.
The trail is short, relatively flat, and suitable for most fitness levels. Unlike Brúarfoss or Reykjadalur, this is not a hike that requires much planning or commitment.
What we enjoy most about Helgufoss is that it rarely feels crowded. Compared to many of the Golden Circle’s better-known attractions, the trail remains surprisingly quiet.
Ingólfsfjall
| Distance: 3–4 km round trip |
| Difficulty: Moderate to challenging |
| Time: 2–2.5 hours |
| Access: Near Selfoss |
Ingólfsfjall offers a very different experience from the other hikes in this guide.
What sets Ingólfsfjall apart is the sense of elevation. It feels much more like a mountain hike than the other trails in this guide. The ascent is relatively steep, particularly in the first section, but the reward is a broad plateau with sweeping views across South Iceland.
On clear days, you can see rivers, farmland, volcanic landscapes, and distant mountain ranges stretching across the horizon.
Quick Comparison of Hiking Trails
Swipe to scroll table
Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir | 3–6 km | Easy–Moderate | 1–2 h |
| Brúarfoss | 7 km | Moderate | 2–3 h |
| Reykjadalur | 6–7 km | Moderate | 2–3 h |
| Helgufoss | 2 km | Easy | 1–1.5 h |
| Ingólfsfjall | 3–4 km | Moderate–Challenging | 2–2.5 h |
How to Choose the Right Hike
If you are unsure which trail fits your trip best, this quick guide can help.
Þingvellir — choose this if you want:
- geological features
- minimal effort
- historic landscapes
- a hike that fits almost any itinerary
Brúarfoss — choose this if you want:
- one of Iceland’s bluest rivers
- moderate distance
- a scenic river route
Reykjadalur — choose this if you want:
- geothermal landscapes
- moderate distance
- a more immersive outdoor experience
- something different from the classic Golden Circle stops
Helgufoss — choose this if you want:
- a short and quiet walk
- minimal time commitment
- fewer visitors
- an easy waterfall hike
Ingólfsfjall — choose this if you want:
- a physical challenge
- elevated views
- fewer visitors
- a more traditional mountain hike
Hiking Conditions and Safety
Weather conditions in Iceland can change quickly, even during summer.
Before heading out, we recommend:
- check weather at vedur.is
- wear layered clothing
- bring waterproof gear
- use proper footwear (trails can be muddy or uneven)
- carrying water and snacks on longer hikes
Most trails on and around the Golden Circle are straightforward during summer, but conditions can change noticeably after rain. Muddy paths, wet rocks, and reduced visibility are often more common challenges than difficult terrain itself.
During winter, snow, ice, and strong winds can make some routes considerably more demanding than they appear in summer.
Golden Circle Hiking FAQ
Are there good hikes on the Golden Circle?
Yes. The Golden Circle offers everything from short waterfall walks to geothermal hikes and more challenging summit routes.
Do you need hiking experience?
Most trails are accessible to beginners, though some, like Ingólfsfjall, are more demanding.
Can you hike the Golden Circle in winter?
Some trails remain accessible, but snow and ice can make conditions more difficult.
What is the best hike on the Golden Circle?
If we had to choose one, Reykjadalur would probably be our pick thanks to its combination of hiking, geothermal landscapes, and natural bathing.
Do you need special gear?
No special gear is required, but sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are strongly recommended.
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