Q: If I wanted to go walking/hiking on my own near Reykjavík in February, where would you recommend I go?

Are there any marked routes/tracks meant just for walking or easy hiking in the outskirts of the city?

I’d like to enjoy the wilderness on my own but where I don't have to be afraid of getting lost in a snow storm, falling into a glacial crevasse or being scared to death by the ghost of Leifur Eiríksson.

Takk fyrir,

Merit, Estonia

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A: Hiking in the winter is always a bit of a risk, even on lighter hikes. In icy conditions one can easily slip and fall and in snow-covered rocky landscapes you may not notice hollows.

Good shoes and warm clothing are a must and I recommend walking poles and microspikes that can be strapped underneath your shoes and provide excellent traction. They are available in outdoor specialty stores like Íslensku Alparnir in Faxafen and Fjallakofinn on Laugavegur.

Also follow the weather forecast on vedur.is and if the outlook is bad, don’t risk the trip, at least not on your own (of course, it might not be frosty or snowy at all). In any scenario, it is good to report your travel plans to ICE-SAR on safetravel.is.

There are several light enjoyable hikes in Reykjavík and its vicinity, the most frequented of which is Mt. Esja. If it’s icy you might want to skip the last part of the hike, though, as it involves a climb. The path is clearly marked.

Lighter hikes also include Mosfell in Mosfellsbær, Úlfarsfell in Reykjavík and Helgafell in Hafnarfjörður. These paths are all marked but to various extent.

The Icelandic Touring Association (FÍ) is planning 52 hikes with a group throughout this year; on their website you can see which mountains are planned for January and February, all of which are lighter hikes.

For further information or to join guided tours, I recommend contacting FÍ or other touring association, such as Icelandic Mountain Guides or Útivist.