A Gen-Z Guide to Trekking Iceland
Driven by the need to run fast and far away from anything resembling a normal life, I chose to fly to Iceland in the spring of 2021 to take part in a small study abroad program. After two long and educational months, I found myself nearly out of stipend money and in need of a great adventure upon the canvas of the country. What I chose to do next was set out on a solo exploration of the north coast with a backpack and a tent. After spending a week hitchhiking, sleeping in sprawling sheep pastures, crashing on couches, and sharing food with people from around the world, I have compiled a list of the top ten tips and tricks for a youthful exploration of Iceland’s open road.
1. Travelers are renting cars, so you don’t have to.
Many young couples and families in their early thirties hop in rented minivans to travel the island. This means they have open seats that are just waiting for the interpret young hitchhiker to jump into.
2. You have freedom of movement, not freedom of sleeping.
Want to hop a fence and romp up a river bed? Go for it; no one can stop you (by law) as long as you are off their property by the time you pitch your tent
3. Pack light on food; you are never more than 30km from an N1 gas and bacon-wrapped hotdogs.
Due to the remote nature of Iceland and the common upwelling of white-out blizzards in the winter. The island has hundreds of 7/11-style gas stations dotting its circumference, a welcoming watering hole for any traveler.
4. Spring is winter, summer is spring, and winter is a frozen wasteland.
The beauty of Iceland shines through many different seasons. Simply put, spring and summer are the best times to thumb it; if you hitchhike in winter, you have a death wish.
5. Ditch the Google Search using Facebook.
While the best parts of Iceland’s natural surroundings lie along the ring road, online, one must go off the beaten path to find the best places to eat and, most importantly, splurge on a taxi when days of backpacking get you down.
6. If you don’t know, ask; the chances are good your answer will be positive.
Icelanders are hardy and often time very much to the point. The Icelandic language doesn't have a word for please, so simply just ask, and you will be met with a yes or no answer. I used this for anything from free wifi to a place to stay at night.
7. Use the national weather service to your advantage.
When backpacking in Iceland, you must understand the weather and be prepared for all four seasons to be thrown in a day. Weather.is you are spending most of your time outside, you need to know what you will be facing. Likewise, a running use of Road.is is equally essential.
Small Towns have cheap hostels
The coziest, warmest, and even cheapest hostels are often in small villages.
8. Windproof your tent and be comfortable simply booking a hostel.
It is not uncommon for wind to reach the twenty miles an hour mark on many days; being able to trust your tent is worth it. On days when the wind is too bad, small towns have hostels that are cheaper and often empty after all, who would be crazy enough to walk around Iceland?
9. Read the fine print!
Iceland’s tourism board knows that many people are renting cars and have set up car camping spots around the island. This means no car camping at the picturesque waterfalls and black sand beaches. But there is a catch read the singes barring vehicles from parking overnight and in small print underneath, it often clearly reads: “ camping allowed for those traveling by foot.”
10. Be patient, the highs are high, the lows are pretty low.
Did I mention Icelanders are blunt? They will either pass you going 80 or slow down just to glare into your soul with the soft indifference penetrating even your cultural American obliviousness. With that being said, you will come across some of the most open and joyful people who will immediately restore your faith in humanity. There can not be one without the other.
Most importantly, these are simply just guidelines to take aimless wandering and breathe into it for some purpose. With this being said, burn your maps, get lost, and make mistakes. We are young, and the world is made for learning.
