13 Apr Packing List for Iceland: 5 Essential Items for Hiking

During our trip to Iceland in August of 2021, we went hiking, hiking, and hiking some more. Iceland is full of so much natural beauty; we thus had to spend as much time as possible outside in order to see it all. We hiked on black sand beaches, to waterfalls, into canyons, to hot springs, and up an erupting volcano. I thus compiled a packing list that includes the top five essential items for hiking in Iceland, with one additional optional item. Keep reading to find out more! 

Check out my road trip packing list for Iceland as well as my list of international travel essentials for additional recommendations.

Contents:

1) Hiking Poles

2) Layers of Clothing 

3) Waterproof Clothing

4) Hiking Shoes

5) Water + Snacks

6) Optional: Crampons

1) Hiking Poles

First up on this packing list for hiking in Iceland are hiking poles. If you have never used hiking poles before, then you are missing out. They offer extra stability as well as assistance while hiking. Additionally, they are even more useful on longer and harder hikes. You can lean into the poles and thus utilize your arms to help drag you up the mountain instead of only relying on your legs. 

Iceland has a fair amount of shorter hikes, for example the hike to Seljavallalaug Pool as well as the hike to the DC-3 plane wreckage. However, Iceland also has a few longer and more strenuous hikes. For example, there is Fimmvorduhals Pass behind Skógafoss waterfall as well as Mt. Kirkjufell. The longer and harder the hike, the more you will be wishing you had brought hiking poles along. 

Moreover, the Trailbuddy trekking poles are collapsible, so you can easily pack them in your backpack or suitcase.

Enjoying the views at the Tarn in Flúðir

2) Layers of Clothing – Packing List for Iceland

Bring layers, layers, and more layers. I cannot tell you how many times throughout our Iceland hiking adventures that I had on a jacket, then took it off, then put it back on again, and so on. We traveled to Iceland in the summer, which meant the weather was typically in the 50s Fahrenheit (~10 Celsius) at the peak of the afternoon. However, it often felt a lot colder when the sun was hiding behind the clouds vs. when the sun was out and shining. Nevertheless, when conquering the more strenuous portions of hikes, I was sweating and thus wanting to take off my layers.

My recommendation? Bring at least one layer you can easily remove. For me, I brought along my Patagonia jacket and waterproof North Face jacket for every hike (shoutout to finding things on clearance and getting those discounts). How many layers you bring does depend upon your general body temperature. Some people tend to be colder than others. Therefore, be sure to bring enough clothes for your level of comfortability.

Overall, consider packing an extra pair of leggings/sweatpants, extra pair of wool socks, gloves, beanie, scarf, light jacket, and/or waterproof jacket.

By the river’s edge at Stuðlagil Canyon

3) Waterproof Clothing

Iceland’s weather can change in an instant, truly. I experienced this firsthand when I was in Iceland; I was outside in the sun one minute and then the next thing I knew it was windy and raining. That being said, I always had my North Face waterproof jacket with me. It was usually either tied around my waist or stuffed in my backpack during a hike. I did wear it on occasion, however, both to keep me warm and to protect me from the rain. Moreover, I wore my waterproof jacket when visiting some waterfalls. For example, we walked on a path behind Seljalandsfoss, which meant we got sprayed with a lot of mist from the falls.

Additionally, I rarely saw people holding umbrellas in Iceland, and that is due to the strong wind gusts possible. The wind would blow the umbrella inside out in a minute.

I also always had my rain boots in the back of the car. While I wore my hiking shoes almost all the time, there were a few instances in which it was raining outside or we got up close and personal with a waterfall. I instead opted for the boots during those times.

Furthermore, consider packing waterproof socks, gloves, and/or pants.

Fjadrargljufur Canyon looking like an animated Disney movie

4) Hiking Shoes

Before traveling to Iceland, I had never owned a pair of hiking shoes. However, I knew we would be hiking a lot while in Iceland and figured it was maybe time to splurge on hiking shoes. Not only did I wear them during the Iceland trip, but they should also last many years to come. I have to say, I am glad I bought them! To be honest, I slipped maybe once or twice while hiking in Iceland, though I managed to still stay on my feet. However, I am pretty confident I would have ended up on my butt if it were not for my hiking shoes. They are designed specifically to offer traction, perfect for hiking all around Iceland and strolling on the black sand beaches.

Taking in the views of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

5) Water + Snacks – Packing List for Iceland

The last items on this hiking packing list for Iceland are water and snacks. I carried my Yeti Rambler 36 oz around with me all the time in Iceland. We often were out hiking for multiple hours at a time, so it was important to carry around a large water bottle. Even though Iceland is on the colder side, do not forget to stay hydrated. I drank multiple of my large 36 oz water bottles a day. Every time I had the chance to fill it up at a restaurant or other location, I did.

We also brought snacks with us every time we went on a hike. Since our hikes often overlapped with lunchtime, we also often packed sandwiches to eat at our destinations. For example, we sat on some rocks on the river after hiking to Svartifoss waterfall to eat. Other great snack options are fruit, jerky, and trail mix.

Looking onward to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

6) Optional: Crampons

I listed the crampons as optional on this packing list for hiking in Iceland. Why? Crampons are only necessary when there is snow or ice present on the hiking trails, which will occur mainly in the winter months. For example, I would highly recommend bringing them along while hiking to Gullfoss in the winter, but we did not use them while hiking in the summer there. Furthermore, we did not utilize nor need crampons during any of our hikes in Iceland in the summer.

Crampons would possibly be necessary in the summer in Iceland for a glacier hike or a hike up a larger mountain, at the top of which there might be some snow or ice.

Svartifoss waterfall surrounded by basalt rock columns

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For all your Iceland itinerary needs: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.

Be sure to visit all of Iceland’s best waterfalls: The 4 Best Waterfalls in Iceland.