Iceland

[ezef7405]

We are thinking of going to Iceland in late August with our 14 month old. I have just started researching things to do, but hiking is definitely a must (we hike often with her in her pack) For those that have been, is this realistic or should I think about going elsewhere?

[GilliC]

We're planning 10 days in mid-August, and expect to do some day hiking.

Do you mean day hikes or overnight treks? I've read that backcountry camping isn't really permitted in Iceland, but maybe there are cabins or farmstays that you could use instead? I don't really know much about trail routes, since we weren't planning anything that involved.

I would definitely make sure you have a good carrier, because I get the impression the terrain can be pretty uneven, and the winds are notoriously strong.

(And if you're looking for alternatives, Norway has a fantastic trail network with a lot of staffed cabins in popular areas. A lot of people do multi-day weekend treks up through August, and hiking with small children is extremely common. The scenery is different, but still impressive, and back-country camping is permitted on any uncultivated land, so it's one of the most affordable ways to visit the country!)

[anasara]

DH & I went to Iceland in May. We just did some basic hiking in Thingvellir Nat'l Park since we were only there for 3 days. I know based off a friend's experience you need to register if you're hiking in some of the super remote areas. Here's a website with info on hiking huts that may be useful:
nat.is/fjallaskalareng/skalar_fi_eng.htm

[sunshinedaydreams]

We did a little bit of light hiking in Thingvellir, and a short hike on our day trip to Thorsmork River Valley. I'm sure there is quite a bit of hiking in Iceland, but not sure how much is actually trails close to the cities.

And ditto what PP said about the wind. It's STRONG up on top of the mountains - as in, I couldn't catch my breath when the wind blew into my face sometimes.

[GilliC]

Jul 9, 2012 18:17:03 GMT -5 sunshinedaydreams said:

And ditto what PP said about the wind. It's STRONG up on top of the mountains - as in, I couldn't catch my breath when the wind blew into my face sometimes.

Friends from the north of Norway once taught me that you should always face your back into the wind so that you can breathe. I'll have to be sure to tell my traveling companion about that before we go!