Mindful Running | Glaciers + Geysers | Geothermal Hot Springs | Black Sand Beach | Giant Waterfalls
Explore Southern Iceland in a way that leaves you plenty of time to tune in to what drives you in running and in life. Indulge in a week of things that are sure to feed your soul: travel, adventure, fun, mindfulness and great food. Through our practical mindful running clinics, informative discussions, and free time for self care, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running.
During this fully supported seven-day, six-night women’s trail running retreat, you’ll run each day in a different location and is as inspiring as it is breathtakingly beautiful. Rather than finish this week feeling tired, you’ll come away rejuvenated and refreshed, thanks to Iceland’s incredible wild natural beauty, fresh Arctic air, pristine water and warm hospitality.
You’ll run its world-famous black sand beach, run within view of its fiery volcanoes and (if the weather permits) see its gleaming glaciers. Run through a steaming valley, fed by powerful geothermic activity and see up close a geyser shoot hot water high into the air and lounge in hot pools set among clusters of columnar basalt rock. New this year, we’ll also visit Diamond Beach and enjoy a boat ride in a glacier-fed lagoon. Cap your week in Iceland with a luxurious soak at the world-famous Sky Lagoon geothermal hot springs, whose mineral-rich waters will soothe your muscles and joints.
Become a durable, strong, motivated runner using these tools and techniques that will keep you healthy and injury free. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, wild landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Start Planning Your Retreat
Iceland Trail Running + Wellness Retreat- Three nights at the ION Adventure Hotel
- Three nights at Hotel Vik
- 6 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 6 dinners in high-quality restaurants
- Daily guided mindful runs
- Private ground transportation during the retreat
- Dedicated Retreat Leader
- Glacier Lagoon boat tour
- Mindful Running Clinics
- Trail snacks
- Sky Lagoon Wellness Package
- Run Wild Retreats gift bag
- Transportation to Keflavik International Airport on Day 7 (arriving at 4 pm)
EXCLUSIONS
- Flights to Iceland
- Alcoholic drinks
- Other incidentals
- Guide gratuity
- Transportation from airport to Reykjavik upon arrival
- Travel/cancellation insurance
- Anything else not listed under “What’s Included”
Deposit: $1,500
Balance Payment Deadline: 150 days before retreat begins
Max Group Size: 16 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $5,995
Private Room Package (per person): $7,150
*Shared room packages have two beds. Solo travelers may choose this option and will be paired with another retreat participant.
If traveling with a friend, you may list your friend as your preferred roommate on your Retreat Participant Intake Form.
Click here to read the full booking terms and conditions: https://runwildretreats.com/retreat-booking-terms-and-conditions/
This retreat is eligible for Refundable Bookings. Learn more here.
This retreat is rated Level II. This means it’s suitable for you if:
- You’re comfortable running five days in a row. Our shortest run is less than 1 hour, but most are around 3 hours (including hiking sections, water breaks and photo ops).
- You have some experience running on trails and have the fitness to run at least 9 miles on the road.
- You’re OK with running/hiking on trails with loose dirt, rocks, mud, and wading through streams.
- You’re OK with getting your shoes wet in small streams.
- You’re comfortable on high and exposed, and at times narrow, trails.
- You can run or hike steep uphill and downhill trail sections for up to a half-mile in distance
- You’re game for running in the rain! (Don’t worry about what to wear; we provide you with a comprehensive packing list).
- You have (or are willing to acquire before the retreat) trail running shoes.
Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
About the Run Distances
The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 35 and 45 miles. Each day’s run in this itinerary is represented by time spent on the trail rather than miles run because the mileage covered will depend largely on your run pace. Faster runners will cover more mileage than slower runners on some days. These run times include breaks to enjoy the views, take photos, eat and drink. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail routes, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.
Note that trail running in Iceland can be challenging at times. Your retreat leader will provide mindful running tips and techniques for managing your pace and navigating the uneven terrain.
- Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
What to Know More?
Day 1 | Arrivals and Opening Meeting
When you arrive at Reykjavik International Airport, take a Flybus to our downtown meeting point and find your retreat leader in the private meeting room where you will have your retreat opening meeting, during which you’ll meet your fellow participants and review expectations of flow of the week’s itinerary. After the meeting, you’ll enjoy a guided mindful run to the Pearl, a key landmark in Reykjavik’s cityscape that will help you shake off the travel and get grounded. After the run, you’ll have a few minutes to change before the one-hour drive to our hotel, located just outside the city, yet feels a world away. We’ll stay at the modern ION Adventure Hotel for the next three nights, and have dinner here this evening.
Time on trail: 1.5 hours, including stops and clinics
Meals: D
Day 2 | Reykjadulur Run
After breakfast at the hotel, we have a short drive to “Steam Valley,” which is a highly scenic valley featuring extensive geothermal activity. It’s proper name is Reykjadalur, where our loop run on the popular hiking trails will take us past everything from small gurgling melting pots to vibrant super heated pools of water. After a casual lunch in the nearby town (on your own), and have some time to do some shopping, then we’ll return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon enjoying the hotel’s amenities and pool.
Time on trail: 2- 3 hours (including stops and run clinic)
Meals: B, D
Day 3 | Geysir and Friðheimar
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive a short distance to Strokkur for a shorter run today on roads and paths that will lead us to one of Iceland’s most famous and active geysers. The eruptions of Strokkur can happen between five and twelve minutes, and can even reach up to 40 meters high. Today’s run is about recovery, so we’ll keep the pace relaxed and our minds curious to the fascinating sights we’ll see along the way.
Then we’ll drive to the nearby Friðheimar Tomato Farm for an amazing lunch inside the greenhouse, surrounded by lush tomato plants. After lunch, we’ll return to the hotel for a free afternoon to soak in the pools, relax, or go for a walk. This evening your retreat leader will lead you through a sharing circle before another gourmet chef-prepared dinner on site.
Time on trail: 1 – 1.5 hours including stops
Meals: B. L, D
Day 4 | Skogafoss Waterfall Run
After breakfast, we check out of our rooms and drive to Skogar, where we’ll run the stunning Waterfall Trail. This out-and-back route will take us to the top of the Skogafoss waterfall and and beyond, all the while offering up spectacular views of surrounding mountains and the active glacier-capped volcanoes of Godaland in the distance. After the run, change into some dry clothes, we’ll grab a casual lunch in the village of Skogar, then continue our journey to Reynisfjara, known as the world’s most beautiful black-sand beach, where we’ll see the iconic Reynisdrangar in the distance and columnar basalt rock formations, and may even see some puffins. From there it’s a short drive to the modern Hotel Vík, where we’ll stay for the next three nights. After checking into our rooms, we’ll enjoy dinner in the Berg dining room.
Time on on trail: 2 – 3 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 | Vik i Myrdal
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll meet our guides for today’s spectacular trail run along the bluff overlooking Vik’s black-sand beach. At today’s mindful running form clinic, your retreat leader will offer some valuable tips on pacing that will help make the most of today’s run. Today’s run begins in Vik and then head up to the top of a plateau overlooking Reynisfjara. If the weather is clear, we’ll get spectacular views of Dyrhólaey peninsula to the west and glacier-covered volcanoes to the north. Our looping route (with a short and longer option), eventually takes us all the way back to our hotel in Vik, you”ll be free to have lunch on your own followed by some free time to enjoy local activities such as horseback riding on the beach or an ice cave tour (not included). This evening is dinner at Sudurvik, a cozy, traditional restaurant situated in an old house serving their own family recipes.
Time on trail: 2.5 – 3.5 hours (including breaks)
Meals: B, D
Day 6 | Diamond Beach + Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
After breakfast at the hotel, in the late morning, we’ll depart for a day tour to some must-see sights along the southern coast, including Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, where we’ll enjoy a short run, have a picnic lunch and then continue to Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. These stunning iceblocks were once part of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which, after breaking away from the glacier, floated down to the lagoon. You’ll have the option to participate in a 1-hour boat tour around the lagoon, after which we’ll have an early dinner at Glacier Lagoon Restaurant before returning to Vik for the night.
Time on trail: 1.5 – 2 hours including stops
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7 | Sky Lagoon and Closing Circle
This morning you have the option to go on a short run around Vik’s roads and trails before breakfast at the Hotel Vik before we check out and have a final sharing circle. Our driver will then pick us up for the longer drive back to the capitol city, where we’ll stop for a casual lunch (on your own) on the way to the Sky Lagoon for this afternoon’s Pure Package Experience, after which you will have the option to be taken to the Keflavik International Airport (arriving late afternoon for evening flights) or the city center if you are extending your stay in Iceland.
Time on trail: 30 – 45 minutes
Meals: B