Needless to say, we love Iceland! Our very first trip together was a full rotation of the Ring Road in January of 2016, and we finally made it back in April of 2023 for some more hiking, freshwater, and lots of skyr on a lovely spring tour of the South Coast.
April is a fabulous time to visit the South Coast of Iceland because of the longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and lower tourism numbers. You’ll save money on lodging and your rental car, and we’ve heard horror stories about the traffic during peak season. However, it’s important to stress that April is, for all intents and purposes, still winter in Iceland. While it may be springtime in calendar terms, it’s definitely still cold… and maybe even snowy!
With that in mind, there are a few things to know before you go:
- Many (arguably most) hikes won’t be open yet. We were disappointed to learn that even the guided day hikes in places like Landmannalaugar and Thórsmörk weren’t open for the season yet, with only (very pricey) super-Jeep tours available.
- Bring all the layers. You’ll need them! We were still wearing full winter coats with hoodies and thermals underneath, and defrosting the car each morning.
- Be careful which rental car you choose. At a minimum, snow tires or anti-slip tech is in your best interest, and a lot of folks opt for 4WD, particularly if you want to do any off-roading. We didn’t opt for 4WD, which meant that we needed to stay on the main roads. You should also reserve your rental car early to get a better rate.
- Do not go off-road without 4WD. The main roads in Iceland are fine, wide, and well-paved for any level of driver, but the side roads (called F-roads) are best for experienced drivers with the appropriate car choice. Without 4WD, do not attempt these roads, as you’ll for sure get stuck. The Icelandic government runs a fabulous website that live-updates road conditions, so it’s a good idea to check this daily.
We ultimately decided not to rent a 4WD car, and instead got a mid size SUV with snow tires. After lots of research, we chose to do 3 great hikes that you didn’t need a 4WD car to reach– though (spoiler alert) you do need a ferry for one of them! 😉
The Skógafoss Waterfall is one of the South Coast’s most iconic and breathtaking waterfalls, dropping approximately 60 meters (197 feet) with a width of 25 meters (82 feet). One of the best hikes on the South Coast is the hike behind this waterfall.
The trailhead is easily accessible and located right next to the waterfall. There’s a free parking lot available, which is unusual for Iceland. The hike begins by ascending a set of stairs located to the right side of the waterfall, which get up to a viewing platform. There are 270 steps and they get pretty steep– be sure you’re wearing good shoes.
Beyond the viewing platform, the trail continues further up into the Skógá River valley, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The trail is well-marked and very well-maintained, suitable for most fitness levels, though there is some rock scramble and uneven terrain. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean and the distant Westman Islands, and the vistas are absolutely stupendous.
The trail eventually leads to Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain pass between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, where you can continue on a longer multi-day hike if desired, or turn around and head back to the parking area. One of the best things about this hike is how customizable it is. The duration depends on your pace and how far you choose to go, up to around 5 miles each way, but you can turn around at any point.
It’s a good idea to get here early, as the waterfall is one of the South Coast’s most popular attractions and the trail can get a bit busy as well.
Spring Hike Option #2: Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is one of Iceland’s highlights. Absolutely dreamy in every way, this is a must-visit while on the South Coast. One of Iceland’s most renowned national parks, it covers an area of approximately 14,141 square kilometers (5,460 miles) and encompasses not only the Vatnajökull glacier (Europe’s largest), as well as vast areas of surrounding wilderness, including volcanic landscapes, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
The national park offers numerous hiking opportunities that showcase the stunning natural beauty of the region. When you arrive at the Visitor Center, you’ll see large maps showcasing the several paved walking paths available, ranked by difficulty. Take some time to check out the different-colored paths and choose the one that you like best.
Here are a few options:
In particular, the loop up to Svartifoss Waterfall is highly recommended. The hike is only about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) long if you only go from the Skaftafell Visitor Center up to the waterfall, but there are ample extensions available. Meandering through scenic landscapes, it eventually goes up to the dark and beguiling waterfall, whose black basalt columns inspired the design for the Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavík.
For those interested in glacier hiking, the Skaftafellsjökull Glacier Trail provides an opportunity to explore the icy wonderland of Vatnajökull. Guided glacier hikes are available, ranging from a few hours to a full day. Note that it’s absolutely necessary to join a guided tour. Glaciers can be very dangerous to explore without proper equipment and knowledge, so an experienced guide is a must.
Lastly, located on the eastern side of the national park, Vesturhorn Mountain offers a striking backdrop for hikers. The trail takes you through diverse landscapes, including sandy dunes and grassy meadows, with the towering mountain as the focal point. The hike can vary in length, depending on the route chosen, and can take around 2-3 hours.
It’s important to note that despite all the signs prohibiting this, we still saw people climbing over ropes to take “better” photos, particularly of Svartifoss. It’s very clear on the signs that this disrupts delicate habitats, destroys the pristine wildlife, and is a risk to you personally– of slipping, falling, or hitting your head. Needless to say, this is a big no-no.
Spring Hike Option #3: Eldfell Volcano, Vestmannaeyjabær
On an easy day trip from a small port at Landeyjahöfn (near the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall), you can explore the largest of the Westman Islands, Heimaey, and its main town (also called Vestmannaeyjabær.) One of the coolest things to do here is to hike up the Eldfell Volcano, or the “Mountain of Fire,” which last erupted in 1973, totally reshaping the island. Hiking the volcano offers a captivating blend of geological history, stunning landscapes, and the resilience of the local community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into Iceland’s volcanic nature and the ongoing processes that shape the island’s unique environment.
You can hike to the top, trekking through crunchy lava fields and rock formations for stunning panoramic views of the water and the cute city below. There is a really cool, stark contrast between the black volcanic ash and the vibrant green moss-covered lava fields, and the hike is a bit strenuous but not too long. Once you reach the top, you can explore around the rim of the crater and gain a better visual understanding of the volcanic forces that shaped the landscape.
The trailhead starts from the town and ascends up the slopes of the volcano. The path is well-marked and consists of loose volcanic ash and gravel, making it moderately challenging due to the unstable footing and steady uphill incline. The hike covers a total distance of about 2 kilometers, but it’s pretty steep.
During the hike, keep an eye out for the interpretive signs– these provide information about the 1973 eruption and its impact on the island. The eruption lasted for several months and led to the evacuation of the entire population, and the signs offer insights into the geological processes, the community’s response, and the subsequent recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots that have ankle protection, best to navigate the loose volcanic ash– the sand-like consistency can be a bit tough to walk through. Lastly, our biggest tip here is to beware of the wind at the top– it can be sort of scary!
Recommended Reading
We hope you enjoyed this 3-hike itinerary to the South Coast in spring, and that it’ll be helpful particularly for those of you who didn’t opt for a 4WD vehicle.
For more Iceland content, you can check out our guide to a full winter rotation of the Ring Road, or a more general Iceland guide that we wrote for Backpacker Magazine. Closely related to this article is our South Coast guide, for more detailed advice on what to see and do. Feel free to click on either of the photos below to save this guide for later on Pinterest!
