Trail Races in Iceland 2021

Doing a trail races in Iceland is a great way to see some of the most beautiful trails in Iceland without having to worry about navigation. Some races, like the 5VH-Trail Race, are point to point races with transportation of your stuff included as well as aid stations en route. So it´s a cheap way to explore gorgoous trails.

In terms of sheer beauty and variety in scenery, we recommend 5VH Trail Run (Fimmvörðuháls) and Laugavegur Ultra. These are probably the two most popular and famous hiking trails in Iceland. Other gorgeous options are Volcano Trail, Jökulsárhlaup and The Puffin Run. Jökulsárhlaup is in the northen part of Iceland and requires a little more travelling but the other options above are all within 4 hours from Reykjavík.

Iceland is beautiful wherever you go and it´s easy to hit some awesome trails close to Reykjavík. Having said that, you do find the most epic landscape in the highland and therefore we recommend the races above. But if you want a race that is conveniently close to Reykjavík

MAI

8. The Puffin Run

24. Hvítasunnuhlaupið

28. Hraunhlaupið við Mývatn (Lava run)

LAUGavegur UltrA

A 55 km off road race. The Laugavegur trail is located in the southern highlands of Iceland and connects the nature reserves Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork. For many runners the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is the most enjoyable race in Iceland. The course is 55 km and takes runners through areas of outstanding natural beauty.

MT. ESJA ULTRA

Since 2012 Mt. Esja Ultra has become one of Iceland’s most popular mountain trail race. The Esja mountain range is just 25 minutes from Reykjavik city by car and is a favorite training spot among Icelandic trail and mountain runners living in the capital area.

HENGILL ULTRA

Hengill Ultra offers the Ultra Trail distances that consist of 5KM, 10KM, 25KM, 50KM trails and the longest trail run in Iceland with a distance of 100 KM, the 100KM is actually the 50KM trail run twice over.

SÚLUR VERTICAL TRAIL RUN

Súlur is a mountain located in the north of Iceland, close to Akureyri. Súlur Vertical (28 km) start is at Hamrar campside, run up to Súlur (1170m) and back all the way down to the center of Akureyri. The shorter distance (18km) runs the same route but does not go up to the top of the mountain Súlur.

JÖKULSÁRHLAUP

The Runners´ Festival is an annual event in the Ísafjörður/Þingeyri area, offering a half-marathon run, 10 km run, wilderness run (45 km, 24 km and 10 km) plus open water swimming, mountain biking, Skálavíkurhlaup which is 12 and 19 km wilderness run and a three-day triathlon. This year there will also be Skálavíkurhjólreiðar which will be held at the same time as the Skálavíkurhlaup.

THE RUNNERS’ FESTVAL

The Runners´ Festival is an annual event in the Ísafjörður/Þingeyri area, offering a half-marathon run, 10 km run, wilderness run (45 km, 24 km and 10 km) plus open water swimming, mountain biking, Skálavíkurhlaup which is 12 and 19 km wilderness run and a three-day triathlon. This year there will also be Skálavíkurhjólreiðar which will be held at the same time as the Skálavíkurhlaup.

HVÍTASUNNNUHLAUP HAUKA

The Pentecost Trail Race starts in Hafnarfjordur, also known as The Town in the Lava. In the neighbourhood of the town in the beautiful nature you can find for example. volcanoes, big lava, hot springs and caves.The run is located in Hafnarfjordur - only 10 km from Reykjavik. The race will starts in Asvellir and you need only to run 400 meters to find yourself  in wild nature. There are 3 distances available, 14, 17.5 and 22 km. The total elevation is around 400 meters in the 22 km race. The 22 km race gives 1 i-tra / UTMB point (2018).

ECO TRAIL REYKJAVIK

Trail run that finishes in Reykjavík city center. There are 4 distances: 13 km, 23 km, 43 km and 83 km. The routes take you through very nice and scenic areas on the Reykjanes peninsula. When running into Reykjavik when around 11km are left to the finish line runners will still be running nice trails through scenic routes. The finish line is in the Nauthólsvík beach area just beside a nice hot tub where runners can rest after a nice warm shower. The center of Reykjavik is just minutes away by car. But why hurry away as refreshments will be at the finish line and you can speed up your recovery time by dipping into the refreshing cold sea just meters away from the finish line before or after entering the hot tub where you can be cheering other runners.

THE PUFFIN RUN

A 20km long trail run that will give you amazing experience with a superb landscape and view all around Westman Island.

VOLCANO TRAIL

Þórsmörk Trail Run is a 12 km long trail run through the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. The trail leads you from the Volcano Huts, through some of the most beautiful landscape in Iceland with the majestic Eyjafjallajökull in the backdrop. Through the birch woods covered valleys, up onto the volcanic ridges and mountain tops over the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, before bringing you back to the finish line, at the Volcano Huts in Húsadalur.

THORVALDSDALUR TERRAIN RUN

Thorvaldsdalur Terrain Run is the oldest terrain run in Iceland. It took place for the first time in 1994 and every year since. The run is held early July each year in the Þorvaldsdalur Valley in northern Iceland (about 20 km north of Akureyri town). 
The Þorvaldsdalur Valley is peculiar in the sense that it opens in both directions, in the south to Hörgárdalur Valley and to the north to Árskógsströnd by the coast of Eyjafjördur fjord. The run starts by the farm Fornhagi in Hörgárdalur Valley at 90 m above sealevel. The finish line is by Árskógsskóli school at about 60 m above sealevel. The highest point of the run is about 500 m above sealevel. The total distance is ca. 25 km.

MÝVATNS MARATHON

The Marathon starts and ends by the Mývatn Nature Baths. Come join us for a full weekend of activities for the whole family. Included in your registration is a medal, t-shirt and a free entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths.