Kjalvegur Hut-to-Hut Hiking Tour
Six days of raw highland wilderness along one of Iceland's oldest and most storied routes
The Kjalvegur hut-to-hut hiking tour follows a route that once connected Iceland's north and south, traveled by Viking armies, traders, and shepherds braving the unforgiving central highlands. This six-day challenging journey reveals Iceland's most dramatic interior, where volcanic color, glacial rivers, and centuries of folklore converge.
For generations, the Kjalvegur road was the primary artery between Iceland's populated coasts, carrying merchants, soldiers, and herders through a landscape that was also said to harbor trolls, outlaws, and other creatures of local legend. The route fell into obscurity for centuries before being rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, and today it remains one of the most historically significant walking paths in the country.
Along the trail, hikers encounter extraordinary contrasts: vivid mountains streaked with reds, greens, blues, and yellows set against black lava fields and the white expanses of snow and ice. Glaciers, rivers, and waterfalls shape the terrain at every turn, while free-roaming sheep graze the highland hills, indifferent to the passing walkers.
The hut-to-hut format means walkers move through genuinely remote terrain each day, sleeping in mountain refuges that have served travelers for decades. The route demands physical endurance and careful preparation, but rewards those who complete it with an intimate understanding of Iceland's interior that few visitors ever reach.
Tour Highlights
Walk one of Iceland's oldest and historically richest overland routes, used since the Viking Age to link north and south.
Witness the raw spectacle of Iceland's central highlands, where glaciers and snowfields meet volcanic rock and colored rhyolite mountains.
Stay in a series of traditional mountain huts, experiencing the authentic rhythm of multi-day highland travel.
Cross glacial rivers and pass waterfalls that carve dramatically through the highland plateau at regular intervals along the trail.
Observe the vivid geological palette of the mountains, where mineral-rich rock produces striking bands of red, green, blue, and yellow.
Travel through a landscape steeped in Icelandic folklore, once believed to be home to trolls, outlaws, and supernatural beings.
Experience the striking contrast between fertile vegetation and barren highland wasteland that defines the Kjalvegur corridor.
Itinerary Overview
Travelers gather at the designated starting point in Iceland's central highlands for a route briefing and equipment check. The afternoon allows time to settle into the first mountain hut and prepare for the days ahead.
The first full walking day leads deep into the highland plateau, crossing lava fields and approaching the first of the route's colored volcanic mountains. The terrain opens up dramatically as the coastal landscape gives way to the true interior.
Today's stage crosses glacial rivers and passes through some of the most visually striking geology on the route, with mountains displaying vivid mineral colors. Waterfalls punctuate the descent into the next valley before the hut comes into view.
Hikers follow sections of the original Kjalvegur track across the high plateau, where the historical weight of the route is most palpable. Free-roaming sheep may accompany walkers along the ridgeline before the day's descent to shelter.
The penultimate day traverses the most remote and exposed section of the route, with expansive views over snowfields and black lava desert. The contrast between vegetation and wasteland is at its most pronounced on this stage.
The last walking day brings the route to its northern terminus, completing the historic crossing of the Icelandic highlands. Travelers depart with a full experience of the Kjalvegur corridor from one end to the other.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional hiking guide throughout the tour
- Hut-to-hut accommodation in mountain refuges
- Route planning and daily briefings
- Safety equipment and emergency support
- Maps and trail documentation
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Meals and food supplies
- Personal hiking gear and clothing
- Travel insurance
- Transport to and from the trailhead
Important Information
Ready to Walk the Ancient Trails?
The Kjalvegur route offers a rare opportunity to cross Iceland's central highlands on foot, following a path that has shaped the country's history for over a thousand years. Availability is limited each season.
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