Grænihryggur in Landmannalaugar hike

About the hike

The natural wonder of the cyan-green rhyolite ridge Grænihryggur, one of the pearls of Landmannalaugar is a spectacle that every fan of hiking in Iceland should see.

The hike to Grænihryggur is fun but challenging as you will walk up and down steep slopes and wade across glacial rivers along the way. The hike itself is around 15-18 km and takes about 8 hours so expect a long but rewarding day.  Note that there are 195 km between Reykjavík and Landmannalaugar, or about 3 hours by car.

You will walk in and up Halldórsgil ravine  and then walk down to Jökulgil. There you will cross the glacier river Jökulgilskvísl by foot a few times before you reach the spectacular Grænihryggur with it’s color that seems completely alien. The entire hike you will be surrounded by magnificent landscapes and endless colors in the rocks and fauna. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful areas in Iceland, an untouched gem of a landscape. 

The Grænihryggur hike is an advanced hike. Be prepared for a long day and make sure your energy matches the challenge.

Why is it called Grænihryggur? The greenish turquoise color is caused by a bit of divalent iron in the glass of the rock in Grænagil and Grænihryggur.

Duration

8 hours hike from starting point.

Departure

Departure at 7:00 AM from Reykjavík or 10:00 when meeting on location.

Price

29900 ISK (Meet on location). Transportation available, contact us for details.

Level of Difficulty

Advanced

Miscelleneus 28 final

Hike Distance

15-18 km (9-11 miles).

Included

Experienced and informative mountain guide. Pick-up is add-on is available but not included, contact us for details.

sac

What to bring?

A good pair of hiking boots, hiking socks, a pair of extra laces, wading shoes, a small towel, woolen socks, woolen or fleece underlayer, a woolen or fleece sweater, hiking pants, warm hat, gloves, buff, wind- and rainproof outer layer, food, water, walking sticks, sunglasses, sunscreen, toilet paper, wet wipes and of course a camera.

Book Grænihryggur Hike

Related Tours

Bjarnarfell Hike with Fjallhalla Adventurers

Bjarnarfell Hike

Bjarnarfell is a 750m high mountain right at the doorstep of Langjökull and Jarlhettur. Upon reaching the peak you are welcomed by a breathtaking view over the incredible landscape below.

Reykjadalur Hot River Hike with Fjallhalla Adventurers

Reykjadalur Hot River Hike

In this valley is a hot spring where you can dip in and just enjoy the unspoiled nature landscape right in front of you. Reykjadalur, which means “Smokey valley”, is a spectacular place next to the village of Hveragerði.

Fimmvörðuháls Hike with Fjallhalla Adventurers

Fimmvörðuháls Hike (Main)

The 25 km Fimmvörðuháls Trek is without a doubt one of the most popular amongst both locals and travelers alike and has been for centuries. Hike between glaciers, volcanoes and stunning nature in the Icelandic highlands.

Midnight Sun Hike on Snæfellsjökull Glacier with Fjallhalla Adventurers

Midnight Sun Glacier Walk

This tour includes a lot of walking on a glacier and associated safety equipment is required. It is important to keep in mind that Snæfellsjökull is a fairly comfortable mountain to travel but has its dangers in poor visibility, such as cracks and falls from the top.