Akureyri

From the parking lot the trail will almost immediately fork and you will want to go left.  There will be a small sign for Sulur.  There is a small stream crossing before you continue the gradual climb up hill.  The first few kilometers of the hike will move through a significant of marsh land which can be difficult to hike through especially after it rains (where the waterproof shoes come in ha...

The trailhead is located at a parking lot south of Akureyri - mark it on your map and it'll be easy to find. Similar to other trails in Iceland, the way up Súlur is marked with wooden stakes which makes trail finding a breeze! If you're doing this before a lot of snow has melted, some of the stakes may be partially or completely buried, but once you're on the right track, just keep heading towa...

Kjarnaskógur is the local forest and recreation area in Akureyri and is located just South of the Airport. Great for running, hiking, mountain biking and x-country skiing when there is snow. There is a main 10km loop trail which starts from the carpark and is also lit with lamps during the dark months. Many people x-country ski here after work in winter on groomed trails. From the main trail th...

The parking lot for Goðafoss is clearly signed and you'll be able to see the falls from the parking lot. Just take a quick jaunt up to the falls and find your perfect angle!Since it was on the backend of winter when I visited, there was ice frozen into spirals on the rock which was really awesome to see. If you're lucky, you might see some reindeer while you're in the area as well!

Usually I am not very fond of such type of activities as they end up frustrating the animals and disrupting the habitat. However, whale watching in this part of Iceland actually saved the whales as it has almost stopped the whale hunting that significantly reduced their population (the profits from tourism outweighed the profits from hunting). Dalvik is a village close to Akureyri, the second b...

Vindbelgjarfjall is a 529-meter mountain located in Lake Mývatn area, North Iceland, whose formation dates back to the Ice Age. It is part of Krafla volcanic system and is one of the most iconic mountains of the region.The ascent up Vindbelgjarfjall is ideal for those wishing to have a bird-eye view over Lake Mývatn and its surroundings.   The peak is accessible from a trailhead east of the si...

Lake Mývatn translates to "Midge Lake" and if you visit here in the summer there will be swarms and swarms of midges. You might want to wear something to cover your face. From the parking area, which is located just off Road 848 past the turn off for Dimmuborgir if heading away from Reykjahlíð, the trail begins at the gate (make sure you close the gate behind you).  This largely forested path b...

Mt. Hverfjall (Hverfell) is an old tephra crater that is estimated to be 2500 years old. The crater is about 1 km in diameter and 400 feet deep. Hikers can hike to the top via two marked routes which are easily identifiable. Travel to and from the crater rim is strictly limited to these two routes.  Once you reach the rim, you can continue along a marked trail that that goes about two-thirds of...

Myvatn Natural Hot Springs are an alternative hot spring to the well-known Blue Lagoon in Iceland. The $18 student tickets are much more affordable than the prices of $75 for other nature baths.Because Myvatn is located on the other side of the country than the main airport, it is less crowded, yet offers the same great experience. The prime location sits in the middle of Viti Crater and Hverfj...