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Outdoor activities

Miscellaneous information on travel, outdoor activities and behaviour in Iceland's natural environment.

Everyone is free to travel through the country and enjoy outdoor activities, so long as care is taken of the environment and that property rights and the rules pertaining to such rights are complied with.

Protected areas are areas where special efforts are being made to protect a unique ecosystem or landscape and to preserve it in an untouched state. These areas must be treated with care and in accordance with the established rules of the area in question. The rules may differ according to the classification of the area.

There are three national parks in Iceland: at Thingvellir, Snæfellsjökull and Vatnajökull National Park.

Laws and regulations