Roam Glade Editorial · Updated November 2026
In Iceland, many of the big waterfalls, canyons and glacier tongues are a few minutes' walk from a car park, and the main paths are well made.
Distances and times below are approximate round-trip figures for an easy pace. Conditions change fast in Iceland; always check the weather and any closures before you set off.
At a Glance
| Walk | Distance | Climb | Time | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi | About 1.5 km (1 mi) for both falls | Minimal (some steps behind the fall) | 45 minutes–1 hour | Easy |
| Skógafoss and the Fimmvörðuháls Waterfall Trail | About 500 steps to the top viewpoint; optional 4–6 km (2.5–3.7 mi) return along the river above | About 60 m (200 ft) of stairs; gradual climb beyond | 30 minutes to 2 hours | Easy–moderate |
| Thingvellir: Almannagjá and Öxarárfoss | About 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return | Mostly downhill from the visitor centre, then back up | 1–1.5 hours | Easy |
| Svartifoss and Skaftafellsjökull (Skaftafell) | Svartifoss about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) return; glacier tongue about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) return | About 120 m (400 ft) to Svartifoss; glacier walk flat | 1.5 hours each | Easy–moderate |
| Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Rim | About 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return | About 100 m (330 ft), gradual | 1 hour | Easy |
| Reykjadalur Hot River | About 7 km (4.3 mi) return | About 350 m (1,150 ft) | 2.5–3 hours plus bathing time | Moderate |
The Walks
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Easy- Distance
- About 1.5 km (1 mi) for both falls
- Climb
- Minimal (some steps behind the fall)
- Time
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best season
- May–September for the path behind the fall; front views all year
Highlights: A path loops behind the 60-metre Seljalandsfoss curtain (waterproofs essential). A 10-minute walk north is Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall hidden in a narrow gorge you enter by stepping across a stream.
Start and parking: Seljalandsfoss car park just off Route 1 on the South Coast, about 1.5–2 hours' drive from Reykjavík. Paid parking.
Families: Good for children who don't mind getting wet; the path behind the fall is slippery.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Skógafoss and the Fimmvörðuháls Waterfall Trail
Easy–moderate- Distance
- About 500 steps to the top viewpoint; optional 4–6 km (2.5–3.7 mi) return along the river above
- Climb
- About 60 m (200 ft) of stairs; gradual climb beyond
- Time
- 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Best season
- June–September for the upper trail
Highlights: Walk right up to the base of a 60-metre fall (rainbows on sunny days), climb the steel staircase to the top platform, then follow the river upstream past a chain of smaller waterfalls for as long as you like.
Start and parking: Skógafoss car park at Skógar, about 30 minutes east of Seljalandsfoss. Paid parking.
Families: The base is flat; the stairs are steep but have railings.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Thingvellir: Almannagjá and Öxarárfoss
Easy- Distance
- About 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return
- Climb
- Mostly downhill from the visitor centre, then back up
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best season
- All year (icy in winter)
Highlights: Walk down the Almannagjá rift between rock walls on the edge of the North American plate, past the site of Iceland's historic parliament, to the Öxarárfoss waterfall. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Start and parking: Hakið visitor centre at Thingvellir National Park, on the Golden Circle about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Paid parking.
Families: Wide gravel and boardwalk paths; accessible routes from P1.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Svartifoss and Skaftafellsjökull (Skaftafell)
Easy–moderate- Distance
- Svartifoss about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) return; glacier tongue about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) return
- Climb
- About 120 m (400 ft) to Svartifoss; glacier walk flat
- Time
- 1.5 hours each
- Best season
- May–October
Highlights: Svartifoss falls over dark basalt columns that look like organ pipes. The flat glacier walk ends at a viewpoint near the snout of Skaftafellsjökull. Do not walk onto the ice without a guide.
Start and parking: Skaftafell visitor centre in Vatnajökull National Park, on Route 1 in the south-east. Paid parking.
Families: Both walks are fine for school-age children.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Rim
Easy- Distance
- About 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return
- Climb
- About 100 m (330 ft), gradual
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best season
- Summer; check for closures
Highlights: A path along the rim of a twisting, 100-metre-deep moss-covered canyon, with viewing platforms. The trail is sometimes closed to protect the vegetation, especially in spring thaw; respect the signs.
Start and parking: Fjaðrárgljúfur car park, a few minutes off Route 1 west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Families: Fenced platforms but long, unfenced edges in places.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Reykjadalur Hot River
Moderate- Distance
- About 7 km (4.3 mi) return
- Climb
- About 350 m (1,150 ft)
- Time
- 2.5–3 hours plus bathing time
- Best season
- June–September; muddy in spring
Highlights: A steady climb through steaming geothermal valleys to a warm river where you can bathe, with wooden screens for changing. Stay on the path: the ground near hot springs can be scalding.
Start and parking: Car park above Hveragerði, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Paid parking.
Families: For active families; the first stretch is the steepest.
Dogs: See FAQ below.
Getting There and Parking
All the walks above are on or near the Ring Road (Route 1) and the Golden Circle, so a regular two-wheel-drive car is enough in summer. Many sites now charge for parking, usually through an app or machine. Day tours from Reykjavík cover the Golden Circle and South Coast if you would rather not drive.
Safety and Rules
- Check safetravel.is for weather and alerts, and road conditions before driving.
- Off-road driving is illegal. Stay on marked paths: Iceland's moss takes decades to recover.
- Waterfall spray freezes in winter and makes paths extremely slippery. Wear ice cleats from October to April.
- Do not walk onto glaciers or ice caves without a certified guide.
When to Go
June to August has the best trail conditions and near-endless daylight. May and September are quieter and still good for short walks. From October to March daylight is short and the weather is changeable, but it is the season for the northern lights. See our northern lights guide.
Questions People Ask
What are the best easy hikes in Iceland for beginners?
The waterfall walks of the South Coast (Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi and Skógafoss), the rift walk at Thingvellir and the Svartifoss trail in Skaftafell are all short, well-marked and close to the Ring Road or the Golden Circle.
Can you hike in Iceland in winter?
Yes, but only short walks, with ice cleats (microspikes) and a check of road.is and safetravel.is before you set off. Daylight is just four to five hours in December, and paths at waterfalls ice over. The path behind Seljalandsfoss is often closed in winter.
Do I have to pay for parking at Iceland's waterfalls?
At many popular sites, yes. Parking fees are now charged at places such as Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Thingvellir and Skaftafell, usually paid by app or machine. Prices change, so check on arrival.
Can I bring my dog to Iceland?
For most visitors it is not practical: dogs need an import permit and a period of quarantine on arrival.
Check before you go
Trail conditions, closures, fees and transport change. Distances and times here are approximate round-trip figures; confirm details with the official sources: