How to Stay Active in Iceland

I am excited today to share my ideas on how to stay active in Iceland! Here at Astonished Abroad, we aim to stay as healthy and active on vacation as possible. Staying active while traveling can be done but it does take some planning! I’ve broken this post up into activities and added some specific suggestions and things to consider. I wanted everyone to be prepared given the uniqueness of Iceland!

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Running & Walking

Let’s start with running and walking. This was the main way that I stayed active on a recent visit to Reykjavik. Since we stayed outside of the city center, I was able to experience perhaps the most beautiful running route I’ve seen.

How to Stay Active in Iceland - Astonished Abroad — The view on my morning run

I typically am an early riser therefore, I was out for a walk or run each morning. Building this time into my day allowed me to stick to my workout routine and also allowed me an additional few hours outdoors each day.

We visited Iceland at the end of February into March but were lucky to not have much wintery weather during our visit. If you do encounter snowy or icy conditions, try crampons. These spikes fit around your running shoes to prevent slips or falls. While I didn’t have to use them on this trip, I have used them in the past and had a good experience.

If you are looking for some help with packing, check out my Complete Icelandic Packing Guide for more details on what to bring and what to leave behind.

As for running routes, that really depends on where you are staying and how far you are looking to run. If you are staying in Reykjavik, it shouldn’t be hard to enjoy a city run. If you are staying outside the city as we did, there are miles of well-paved trails for you to enjoy.

Is your idea of staying active a brisk walk? Well, if it is, you are in luck! The city of Reykjavik is extremely walkable making it a great way to get some exercise in on vacation. Walking around downtown is a great way to see a new city and Reykjavik was no different in my experience.

Hiking

Depending on the time of year you visit and how adventurous you are, you may decide hiking is a good option for you. In certain areas of the country, you may even be able to hike on a glacier.

If you are interested in glacier hiking there are a few other considerations to keep in mind. You should know that if you are staying in or around Reykjavik, this adventure will likely last the majority of the day. Many of these tours offer what looks like an incredible experience but can sometimes last several hours due to the location of the glaciers from Reykjavik. We looked into glacier hiking at length but eventually decided we would save this excursion for our next visit. If you are staying in Iceland for less than a week, the time commitment is something I would consider.

Check out Courtney’s post about the Natural Wonders of Iceland for some options for other ways to explore glaciers, black sand beaches, and more if you are limited on time.

While I haven’t yet been to Iceland during the summertime, I’ve been told that it is absolutely gorgeous. Given that, hiking during these months is said to be pretty incredible as well. I certainly will plan on hiking if I am able to visit Iceland during the summertime.

Depending on the time of year you go, be sure to pack proper footwear as well as appropriate clothing. The weather can change quickly in Iceland so it is best to wear layers and be ready for wind, rain, snow, or sleet. This is especially important if you’ll be hiking in the mountains. Again, be sure to review my Complete Icelandic Packing Guide, better to be prepared!

Kayaking

There are plenty of options if you are looking to kayak during your Icelandic adventure. It is not only a great way to stay active but you may even have the opportunity to see glaciers or icebergs and you will likely see all sorts of wildlife. Wondering what sort of wildlife you may encounter? Anything from seals to whales and even puffins if you are lucky.

If you are looking for an extensive guide to kayaking in Iceland, check out the site Guide to Iceland.

Yoga

Those who are familiar with the blog and my post, about packing for one week in a carry-on, will know that I travel with my JadeYoga travel mat. Having this foldable mat with me allows me to decompress with some restorative yoga or practice sun salutations anywhere and everywhere I go.

If you aren’t familiar with leading your own yoga practice, consider using an app such as Peloton which has great on-demand options for all types of yoga.

Someone who loves practicing yoga with others? Not to worry, there are tons of yoga studios within the Reykjavik city center. A quick Google search even shows yoga classes taught in English.

Meditation

Finally, meditation often aims to lower your heart rate rather than raise it like running or hiking. Although meditation isn’t typically thought of as a way to stay active, it can be an important part of your wellness routine which is why I added it to this post.

Meditating outside can be a wonderful practice and one that I love to participate in. You’ll want to ensure that if you are going to practice outside, you are able to keep yourself safe. Iceland is overall an incredibly safe place to visit. This is especially true for solo female travel.

Exploring the Cuisine of Iceland

Now that you have worked up an appetite, be sure to check out my post on the cuisine of Iceland. In this post, I review everything from grocery shopping to where to eat in Reykjavik.