Hiking around Iceland: Trails or walking on the ring road?
What options are available to hike around Iceland? Other questions address camping but are there marked trails on some or all of the way? Is walking on the ring road allowed at all and is it realistic? Are some sections of the road more interesting or popular?
PS: This question is based on a comment on What are the wild camping regulations in Iceland? The original poster did not follow up but it seems interesting so I am reposting it as a proper question.
Best Answer
Walking on or next to the ring road (Road 1) is not advised as there is traffic, sometimes very limited view of the road and most certainly traffic will not expect hikers on the road! You will also be bored to death on most sections as it has very long sections where you see little landscape change.
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How long does it take to walk the Ring Road in Iceland?
Allover, my hike proved a fair adventure through endless fields of rock and desolate landscapes divulging into black ash mountains covered in grey moss. It took me 3.5 months to cover the distance and it was somewhat of an insanely lonesome but crazy exploration.Can you hike the Ring Road in Iceland?
Sk\xf3gafoss is one of the most popular stops along Iceland's Ring Road, so make sure to get here early. There is a hiking trail to the right of the falls that allows visitors to hike up and see the falls from above. The Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is one of the most iconic images from the Ring Road.How long would it take to hike around Iceland?
The Best Hiking Trails in Iceland Some people even decide to hike across Iceland. A hike from the north coast of Iceland to the south coast of Iceland takes approximately 18 to 20 days and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Remember, you'll need to carry all of your gear.Is Iceland Ring Road worth it?
Is the Ring Road in Iceland worth it? Definitely! Driving the Ring Road of Iceland is a great road trip idea. As it circles the island, you will be able to reach the different parts of Iceland (except the highlands and Westfjords).20 Best Hikes in Iceland | Ring Road
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Answer 2
The ring road can be boring and also dangerous to hike. There are strong winds in the south including a lot of ashes or sand that sometimes even polishes cars and crashing windows. When we drove the ring road in the south the last time (August 2013), the wind was really really heavy and I was glad to have a car.
I would recommend to hike in the highlands. Choose a route according to your experience, equipment and time of the year. You will see much more of the amazing nature.
I'd like to emphasize again that the weather in the highlands (and all over the island) can change very quick and you should be aware of this when planning your route. There is an authority where you can register your route to get help if you get lost: Safetravel There are also emergency shelters all over the island. Make sure you know where the next shelter is before starting the day. I would recommend to take a mobile phone and get a prepaid card from Simmin and you will have at least GSM all over the island.
Camping is generally allowed in Iceland but you should ask the owner of the land/property where you want to stay. There are also a lot of camping places where you have a shared washing room and kitchen. I think they are quite cheap.
Personally I found Askja especially interesting. It's a bit like hiking on the moon (without marked trails). There are some shelters were you can spend the night or sleep in your tent. If you go there by car make sure you know how to cross a river.
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