The aurora belt · HIKING & TREKKING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 12 aurora hikes worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Join an English-speaking guide for a full-day trip from Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara, and Skógafoss. After dinner, return for a countryside Northern Lights hunt with complimentary photos and free rebooking if the aurora does not appear.
You’ll travel from Reykjavík in a group of up to 19, visiting Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, the South Coast, Jökulsárlón, and Fjaðrárgljúfur. Guides such as Carl and Olie have earned praise for flexible pacing and safe winter driving. Glacier and volcano tours, three nights, breakfast, transport, and Wi-Fi are included.
“Our 4d3n land tour for our family of 6 (with 2 teenagers) was well-organized including online messages were promptly received within couple of hours with Arctic Adventures when we had queries. We left a little disappointed because we could not find the auroras during the northern night tour. Planners should leave a few days later because it could be rescheduled for the following day if the northern light hunt was unsuccessful. Iceland has nature at vast display. So many wows here and it is unforgettable. Some of our best memories are from Iceland. Thank you All.”
Meet Kiruna Guidetur near Scandic Hotel, gear up in insulated overalls, boots, snowshoes, and poles, then follow an English-speaking guide into the snowy forest. Guides such as Jonna, Ronja, Kevin, and Carsten add nature and wilderness insight, with a hot drink, sandwich, and possible fire stop along the way.
“Everything on this tour. Ronja is an excellent and most motivated guide. She knows a lot about culture, about the survival in the wilderness, about nature and so many things more. It was a very pleasant trip and we enjoyed every minute of it! Mother nature was on our side and we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the nothern light! Thank you for leading us so well 😍👏🏼”
Join Fredrik and Anna for a three-hour, small-group night hike through Abisko Valley. Walk 1.5 km each way with playful husky puppies, then warm up with a hot drink and campfire in a Sámi-style Lávvu. Winter gear and a transfer from Abisko STF Tourist Station are included.
“100% worth it for the friendly and playful puppies even if you don’t get to see the lights. Anna and Fredrick were so thoughtful and friendly, tack! Thank you for taking such good care of the puppies too 🥹”
Join a small group of up to eight for a three-hour guided snowshoe hike near Ersfjordbotn. Guides such as Truls, Eirik, and Fabian lead the outing in English or Norwegian, with snowshoes, poles, transport, a snack, and a hot drink included.
“Truls was great! We did an amazing hike, learned a bunch, and saw some fabulous auroras. He took some great photos and taught us how to take decent ones on our phones as well. 6 stars all around!!”
Spend about 16 hours with Arctic Adventures visiting Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, and Sólheimajökull. A certified guide leads the glacier hike, then you return to Reykjavik for a break before a minibus Aurora hunt. Guides such as Ronan, Bessi, Simon, and Fred have earned praise for safety, stories, and photos.
“We had the best time in Iceland, mainly special thanks to our tour guides, who made this experience so memorable.”
Spend about 11 hours exploring Iceland’s volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula, including a 2 to 4 hour Fagradalsfjall hike, then join a separate northern lights hunt. Guides such as Omar add local stories and photo help, while routes change with weather and volcanic conditions.
“This tour got changed to a different hike and the hot river and it was amazing. The guide we had was so friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. I can't remember his name but if we went back, I would love to request him again. Highly recommend!”
Join a small group of up to nine for a three-hour guided night hike through Rovaniemi’s snowy forest. Your guide leads you to a watchtower for hot drinks, local cookies, and wide Arctic views. English, Spanish, and French are available, with guide Valentin among the named hosts.
“Tuvimos una noche dura porque estábamos a -30 grados pero la noche nos regaló auroras boreales, es una gran experiencia el senderismo nocturno en la tundra.”
Leave Rovaniemi with a guide such as Linnea, Jo, or Guille for a 3.5-hour night ski through Lapland. Learn basic backcountry ski skills, search for Aurora viewpoints, then warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, sausages, flatbread, and Finnish mustard by a fire.
“This was a great tour. We saw the Northern lights just as we were finishing up the ski tour. I expected to sweat a bit more because I had in my two previous activities so I eliminated one layer of clothes. Because my group was not very athletic, we had a pretty slow pace, needed to stop a lot and I was quite cold. Linea (sp) was a good guide, she gave us directions how to put the skis on and what to do if we fell. She also kept her pace so the slowest of the group could keep up or she would stop for them. She provided snacks…”
Leave Levi’s lights behind for a three-hour snowshoe walk with a small group of up to eight. Guide Mikus has led this outing with hot tea, homemade treats, and helpful Northern Lights photography. The pace stays relaxed, but the lights are never guaranteed.
“We had a great time in the woods at a freezing night out to search for the northern lights (which luckily appeared on a starry night sky with an almost full moon) with Mikus who is a fantastic guide and brought hot tea and brownies with selfmade honey! He also did great photographs of us once the lights where out.”
Leave Rovaniemi for a small-group backcountry ski trip with an English-speaking guide such as Guille. After gear fitting and basic instruction, ski 90 to 120 minutes through deep snow, stop for a campfire snack and hot drinks, and watch the sky for Northern Lights.
“We hadden de tour met onze gids Guille. Het was een fantastische ervaring. Hij nam ons mee naar een magische plek, diep in de bossen van de stad vandaan. Echt winter wonderland met witte besneeuwde bomen en geen geluid van de stad. 90 minuten totaal geskied en halverwege leerde hij ons om zelf vuur te maken met spullen uit de natuur. Heerlijk genoten van wat te eten en drinken. Ondanks dat we niet het noorderlicht hebben kunnen zien vanwege de bewolking was het een geweldige excursie en zou ik zeker iedereen aanraden!! We hebben enorm genoten van de mooie natuur en de gezelligheid met de gids(en) en het naar beneden…”
Meet Roberto and the Hikers of Iceland team in Hveragerði for a headlamp-lit walk through steaming Reykjadalur Valley. After about an hour on the trail, soak in the naturally warm river beneath the stars and watch for the Northern Lights. Small groups, guides, and headlamps are included.
“This was an incredible experience. We couldn't have checked off our aurora bucket list item any more magically! Roberto was very knowledgeable and prepared. The hike was a bit more strenuous than expected but well worth it! We highly recommend this experience through Hikers of Iceland.”
Pick a country, a city or a kind of night.
