Moss grows in abundance throughout Iceland. Spectacular swathes of it blanket the landscape, from old lava fields to the crags of mountains and cliff faces. But while it may look endless, this moss is incredibly delicate. If damaged, it can take decades to recover. In fact, moss can often be damaged irreparably by something as simple as driving off the road or leaving a footprint.
As comfortable as it may look, do not lie down in the moss. Stay on marked hiking trails so that you don’t trek through it, and don’t drive off-road. Only camp in designated campsites, and never intentionally rip out moss to insulate a tent, as this leaves open scars on the land. The typical mantra of “leave only footprints” does not apply when it comes to Icelandic moss. Never carve your name into the landscape either, as this only heightens environmental degradation.
Bottled water is generally discouraged because of the environmental impact of plastic waste. But it is often a necessity for travelers visiting countries where the water isn’t safe. Fortunately, Iceland does not fall into this category.
Pure springs and glaciers cover the entire country, and the island’s infrastructure ensures that fresh water is distributed to every tap. With zero chemicals, it is some of the clearest and cleanest water in the world. So instead of buying “Icelandic Mineral Water” while you’re there (which is exactly the same as the water that comes from the taps), bring your own bottle from home to fill.
It is a good idea to let the tap run a bit when changing from hot to cold water. Because it is straight from the spring, hot water in Iceland can smell and taste a little like sulfur, though this is totally harmless.
Much of the wildlife found throughout Iceland roam freely, so it’s important to treat any animals you encounter with respect. This includes the horses you may see roaming freely by the side of the road: Give them a wide berth, and don’t attempt to interact.
One of the wonderful things about Iceland is that there are no imposed regulations about where you can and cannot walk. Everything is wild, and it is up to the traveler to take their own personal responsibility.
Because of this, you can literally walk on top of bird colonies if you are not careful. So it’s important to constantly remain aware of your surroundings. Come breeding season (which lasts from April to August), exotic seabirds arrive in Iceland by the millions, and coastal cliffs are transformed into massive colonies.
Wildlife access in Iceland is almost unparalleled, so it’s of the utmost importance that travelers remain respectful at all times.
You’ll likely come across a range of Cairns in Iceland. These carefully arranged piles of stones typically appear along hiking trails through the country’s national parks.
This may seem like a harmless thing to do, but in fact, it can have grave consequences.
Historically cairns were created by the Vikings as trail markers, and they remain today a crucial part of navigation for hikers. Tourists have recently taken to creating their own. Not only does this risk misdirecting hikers (which could have serious ramifications to their safety), but it also destroys the natural environment when you remove rocks and place them where they don’t belong.
Whale hunting has been a historically significant part of Icelandic culture, and you can still find whale served in restaurants and supermarkets throughout the country.
Whale hunting is still conducted in Iceland today, but supporting the whale watching industry is the best way to help end this ancient practice permanently.
Home to over 24 cetacean species, Iceland is considered among the best places in the world for whale watching. And when this industry becomes more profitable for the Icelandic economy than hunting them does, it will be more difficult to justify the hunts.
