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Sport & Activities
Hiking: Few places in Iceland have marked walking paths. The Touring Club of Iceland, Ferdafelag Islands, Morkin Six, 108, Reykjavik (tel: 568 2533; fax: 568 2535) operates walking tours all year round. During winter, these are mostly day tours or weekend tours, but longer tours are organised during summer.
Glacier tours: A number of travel agencies and tour operators can organise trips to Iceland’s glaciers, which cover 11 per cent of the country. Transport is by four-wheel-drive vehicles, snow cats or – the most popular option – snowmobiles (also called skidoos). The best time for skidooing is between January and March when the snow is fresh and plentiful. The most visited glaciers are Snaefellsjökull, Vindheimajökull, Glerádalsjökull and Drangajökull. A list of tour operators can be obtained from the Icelandic Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Skiing: This is a year-round activity and Iceland’s most popular winter sport. Ski resorts offering both downhill skiing and cross-country skiing can be found throughout the country. Several Alpine-style resorts are located near Reykjavik (Bláfjöll), Akureyri (Hlíðarfjall) and Ísafjörður. These resorts are equipped with standard lifts and facilities. Many good ski slopes are just half an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. The main skiing season is normally from January until May or June. Summer skiing is possible on the glaciers. Mýrdalsjókull has a ski-lift which is open throughout summer.
Swimming: This is very popular in Iceland since there are many natural and man-made pools such as the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik (see also Resorts & Excursions section) heated by geothermal springs. Most towns and cities have outdoor and indoor pools filled with water from natural hot springs (water temperature in the pools averages around 29°C/85°F). Many places also have saunas, jacuzzis and hot pots with water temperatures of up to 44°C/112°F.
Fishing: Iceland is famous for its trout and, particularly, salmon fishing, for which it is reputed to be among the best locations in the world. The main salmon fishing season is from around 20 June to mid-September. Permits must be reserved well in advance from the National Angling Association, Bolholt Six, IS-105 Reykjavik (tel: 553 1510; fax: 568 4363; e-mail: angling@arctic.is; website: www.angling.is). The trout fishing season varies from one river to the next, but is generally from April/May until late September/October. Permits can be obtained at short notice, often the same day. Fishing boats and gear can be rented in towns around the coast.
Golf: There are approximately 55 courses in Iceland, all of which are open to visitors. During the Midnight Sun period (end of May to beginning of August) it is possible to play golf at night. The Akureyri Golf Club in the north hosts the yearly Arctic Open, an international competition at the end of June which climaxes with a tee-off at midnight continuing until the early morning hours. For further information, contact the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Wildlife: One of Iceland’s most popular special interest activities is birdwatching. Many tours, often involving a boat trip, are available. The Vestmanna Islands are particularly good for spotting seabirds as well as being home to the world’s largest puffin population. Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland is apparently the most fertile spot on the globe at that latitude and is a favourite breeding ground for many species of birdlife, particularly waterfowl. Southern Iceland is known for its great skua colony living on the sands. Nearly as popular as birdwatching is whale watching and tours to the best spots around the coast are widely available. It is also possible to see dolphins. The Icelandic Tourist Board can provide further details.
Icelandic horse trekking: When the Vikings created Iceland’s (and the world’s) first Parliament in 930, one of their acts was to prohibit further import of horses. More than ten centuries later, the Icelandic horse breed remains pure. This small but sturdy and sure-footed horse is reputed for its friendliness and willingness to carry riders over even the roughest terrain. Horses are available for hire near most towns, with experienced guides if required. Longer expeditions, including camping, can be arranged by tour operators.
Running: The Reykjavik Marathon takes places every year in August and attracts thousands of runners. Participants are offered a choice of a full or half marathon (‘fun run’). Pollution levels in Reykjavik are very low.
Geothermal attractions: Icleand is still relatively young in geothermal terms and a popular activity is to visit the naturally occurring springs for bathing.
River rafting: Because of the wide variety of rivers and beautiful scenery to be found in Iceland, river rafting is a very popular activity.
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