Hotels & Huts | Mountains + Valleys | Glacier Volcanoes | Geothermal Hot Springs | Black Sand Beach | Giant Waterfalls
Explore Southern Iceland and the Highlands 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, education and great food.
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 walk its world-famous black sand beach, run within view of its fiery volcanoes and (if the weather permits) see its gleaming glaciers. Part of this retreat is set in the Highlands, where you stay in a private lodge at the Volcano Huts, nestled deep in a glacier-carved river valley. And finally, cap your week in Iceland with a luxurious soak at the world-famous Blue 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.
Participant Photos + Testimonials
Day 1 | Reykjavik
When you arrive at Reykjavik International Airport, catch a Flybus to our downtown hotel (check in time is 3 p.m.), the Hotel Midgardur by Center Hotels. (Please note that Iceland is only admitting fully vaccinated travelers at this time. You must bring your vaccination card with you as proof of vaccination.) At 5 p.m., meet your retreat leader for the official Retreat Opening and Meet + Greet. From there, we’ll walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner in downtown Reykjavik.
Time on trail: no run today
Day 2 | Reynisfjara: Black Sand Beach
After breakfast, we’ll start our morning run that will take us past some of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks, including the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, on our way the Perlan (“The Pearl), a museum perched on a small hill surrounded by woodlands. We’ll have our first Natural Running Form clinic on the lawn outside the Perlan, then continue our run through the forest, along an ocean inlet, then loop our way back to our hotel. After freshening up and check out of our room, we’ll enjoy a light lunch before embarking on a three-hour drive to the southern coastal village of Vík í Mýrdal. Along the way, we’ll stop at Reynisfjara, known as the world’s most beautiful black-sand beach, where we’ll see the iconic Reynisdrangar and columnar basalt rock formations. From there it’s a short drive to the über-modern Icelandair Hotel in Vík, where we’ll have a relaxing dinner.
Time on trail: 2 – 2.5 hours (including breaks) on mostly city streets and dirt pathways
Day 3 | Vík í Mýrdal
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, where we’ll have a casual lunch followed by some free time. 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) depending on the options you choose.
Day 4 | Þórsmörk
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and begin the two-hour drive to drive Þórsmörk, stopping at the famous Seljalandsfoss, the southern coast’s most photographed waterfall. We’ll have time to walk the loop trail that passes behind the waterfall, where you’ll experience up close it’s sheer power and scale. Then we’ll continue our drive into Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, a green oasis surrounded by (very active) glacier-covered volcanoes. Our driver will drop us on the valley’s south side, where we’ll start our run in the Krossa river valley bottom before doing a short, hilly loop run before crossing the Krossa river and finishing at the Volcano Huts. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a hot soup lunch in the main lodge before settling in to our group’s private mountain hut. Enjoy a couple of free hours to shower, relax and enjoy this beautiful place.
Time on trail: 2 – 3 hours (including breaks) on well-worn dirt trails that include some steep hiking sections and short area that are exposed to steep slopes and cliffs.
Day 5 | More in the Land of Thor
After making breakfast in the hut, we do some pre-run warm-up exercises before beginning an adventurous trail run right from our the Volcano Huts in Þórsmörk (“The Land of Thor”). Today’s run is on the Tindfjöll Circle, which begins with a gentle ascent through a native birch-tree forest, then above treeline. After passing the Trollakirja (“Troll Church”), we reach the Tindafjöll Plateau, from which we’ll enjoy amazing views of Myrdalsjökull glacier. We make a thrilling descent along Stangarhals Ridge to the Krossa river bed, and enjoy an easy run back to the Volcano Huts. Or, if you’re up for more, add on a few more miles to the top of Valahnúkur, a 1500-foot high hill overlooking the valley. We’ll have lunch in our hut followed by some free time to go for a hike, take a nap or soak in the on-site springs. Dinner is a traditional Icelandic BBQ featuring fresh-caught, local seafood prepared by our guides.
Time on trail: 3 – 4.5 hours (including breaks) on well-worn dirt paths that at times includes exposure to steep side slopes, narrow ridges and scree (loose rock).
Day 6 | Goðaland
After making breakfast and packing up our belongings in the hut, we begin our most rewarding run yet. We’ll head out-and-back along the popular Fimmvörðuháls trail that passes between two of Iceland’s most famous glaciers. Opt for the short-and-sweet option of this run that still gives you all the views (weather permitting), or if you’re feeling adventurous, traverse the tricky Kattahryggur or “Cat’s Spine” trail that takes you way up high to a plateau with a fantastic views over the surrounding river valleys (and–if we’re lucky– the Merkurjökull and Eyjafjalljokull glaciers). After retracing our route back down to the Krossa River Valley, we’ll rendez-vous with our driver for a BBQ lunch at Basar Huts before departing for the drive back to the capitol city of Reykjavik. After checking into our hotel in the heart of downtown, we head out for dinner at one of Reykjavik’s best restaurants.
Time on trail: 2 – 3.5 hours (including breaks) on an out-and-back route that includes lot of uphill on the way out and lots of (really fun to run!) downhill on the way back.
Day 7 | The Blue Lagoon
We’ll get an early start to our final day of the retreat with a relaxed, pre-breakfast run past the famous Harpa opera house and along the waterfront for about 30 minutes. After breakfast, we’ll depart for The Blue Lagoon, a natural geothermal hot springs of milky-blue, mineral-rich waters surrounded by stark, black lava fields. After our luxurious soak and silica- and algae-mud mask treatments, we’ll have lunch in the Blue Lagoon’s fine dining room. Then it’s time for farewells and transportation either to the airport or back to downtown Reykjavik. The drop off at the Keflavik Airport is 2 p.m. Allow at least 3 hours for check in before your flight home.
Time on trail: 30 minutes on city streets and paved waterfront path
The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 38 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.
Start Planning Your Retreat
Iceland Trail Running + Wellness Retreat• Two nights’ shared accommodation in a 3-star hotel in downtown Reykjavik (double occupancy)
• Two nights’ accommodation at the 3-star Hotel Vik (double occupancy)
• Two nights accommodation in the Volcano Huts of Húsadalur Valley (dorm-style bunk beds)
• Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Daily guided runs with professional Icelandic guides
• Private ground transportation during the retreat
• Dedicated Retreat Leader
• Natural Running Form Clinics
• Trail snacks/energy food
• Blue Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs Comfort Package
• Run Wild Retreats gift bag
• Transportation from the Blue Lagoon to Keflavik International Airport on the last day (arrive at 2 p.m.)
⚠️ Proof of Covid-19 vaccination required to enter Iceland
Depsit: $900
Balance Payment Deadline: 120 days before retreat begins
Max Group Size: 16 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $5,100
*Shared room packages have two or three 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.
Single occupancy rooms aren’t available for this retreat.
This retreat is rated Level III. This means it’s suitable for you if:
- You’re comfortable running six days in a row. Our shortest run is 30 minutes, but most are between 3 to 4 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 potentially one knee-deep river crossing.
- 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 38 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/