North IcelandCanyon forest
Ásbyrgi
Horseshoe canyon in Vatnajökull National Park. Birch and willow, Botnstjörn pond, campsite.
Best for
Horseshoe canyon + Norse legend
Forests
Forests of Iceland
A guide to Iceland's woodlands: ancient birch groves, protected reserves, urban green spaces, and highland vegetation.
Tip
Stay on marked trails
Iceland's forests are fragile ecosystems, so stick to paths to protect regrowth.
Quick Answer
Iceland's forests range from old birch groves like Ásbyrgi and Bæjarstaðaskógur to urban woodland in Reykjavik's Elliðaárdalur. Where they are and when to go.
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South IcelandBirch woodland
Bæjarstaðaskógur
Birch woodland in Morsárdalur; plan the full walk from Skaftafell visitor centre.
Best for
M1 walk from Skaftafell
Capital RegionUrban forest
Elliðaárdalur
Urban valley in Reykjavik with birch and conifers. Jogging paths, free BBQ areas.
Best for
City nature escape + salmon river
North IcelandPlanted woodland
Akurgerði
Woodland at Skinnastaðir with paths, species labels and picnic places.
Best for
Labelled trees in Öxarfjörður
West IcelandPlanted woodland
Álfholtsskógur
Forest via Route 51 with mixed paths, steps, bridges and picnic stops.
Best for
Marked walks in Hvalfjarðarsveit
East IcelandBirch and willow
Arnaldsstaðaskógur
Quiet forest in East Iceland with walking paths through birch and willow.
Best for
Peaceful nature walks
South IcelandPlanted woodland
Ásabrekka
Small woodland at Áshóll with tree labels, tables and benches.
Best for
Looping path in Ásahreppur
West IcelandPlanted woodland
Brynjudalsskógur
Shelters and woodland paths reached via Route 47 and Ingunnarstaðavegur.
Best for
Forest walk in Hvalfjörður
West IcelandPlanted woodland
Daníelslundur
Borgarfjörður forest named for Daníel Kristjánsson, with paths and picnic clearings.
Best for
Route 1 picnic and woodland break
West IcelandCountry park
Einkunnir
Protected park near Borgarnes; a 5.2 km walk includes steps and slopes.
Best for
Wetlands + rocky viewpoints
East IcelandBirch woodland
Eyjólfsstaðaskógur
Forest near Fljótsdalshérað with birch woodland, walking trails, and birdwatching.
Best for
Birdwatching + nature walks
HighlandsHighland reserve
Fjallabak Nature Reserve
Highland reserve with colorful rhyolite mountains, hot springs, Laugavegur trail. F-road access only.
Best for
Landmannalaugar + hot springs
Planning help
Forest FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Why does Iceland have so few trees?
When Vikings settled Iceland around 870 AD, about 25–40% of the land was forested. Settlers cleared birch forests for timber, fuel, and grazing land. Volcanic eruptions and harsh winds prevented regrowth. Today, forests cover only about 2% of Iceland, though reforestation efforts are expanding coverage.
What tree species are native to Iceland?
The downy birch (Betula pubescens) is Iceland's only native tree species. Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and tea-leaved willow (Salix phylicifolia) also grow natively. Reforestation programs have introduced Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine, and larch from North America and Siberia.
Is Iceland planting new forests?
Yes. The Iceland Forest Service and the Icelandic Forestry Association have been actively reforesting since the early 1900s. About 3–4 million trees are planted annually. The goal is to increase forest cover for carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and biodiversity.
Which forest in Iceland is best to visit?
Ásbyrgi in Vatnajökull National Park is the most striking: a birch forest inside a horseshoe-shaped canyon. Near Reykjavík, Elliðaárdalur is an easy urban option with walking paths and a salmon river. Bæjarstaðaskógur near Egilsstaðir has one of Iceland's largest native birch stands.
Pair forests with a region
Use the region pages to build a route around these stops.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.