Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, wild landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful and social
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. We'll also visit Diamond Beach and enjoy a boat ride in a glacier-fed lagoon.
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. 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.
This retreat can be the kind of vacation that truly transforms your state of mind and body, if you're open to it. Our retreats are designed to support you as a whole woman, not just a runner. That means you can expect free time to yourself, away from the group. It means that there are wellness experiences included in your retreat package to support your nervous system reset. This is your chance to heal from the effects of stress and focus on doing the things that energize you, inspire you and feed your soul.
Mindful Running is this retreat's defining experience. Your dedicated Retreat Leader will lead you through experiences on and off the trail that are designed to help you discover how to run with more ease and flow. And if you've never run trails before, you'll learn how to adapt your road running technique for this new terrain. And if you're an experienced trail runner, you'll take your running to a whole new level of efficiency and joy. Connect more deeply with nature, yourself and other women through this powerful practice that provides you with skills and insights to maximize the stress-reducing effects of running.
This retreat is rated Level II. This means it’s suitable for you if:
The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 32 to 38 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. Some areas on the trail will be easy (soft, packed dirt and pebble paths), while other areas will be challenging, including steep ascents and descents on trails that can become muddy when wet.
For this reason, trail-running shoes are mandatory. 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.
We’ve run in many parts of the world, yet none has delivered as much natural beauty and reward as this wild place. The ever-changing weather is a constant presence and demands our constant respect and preparedness. Our team provides the daily support you need to run well and be well.
The weather in Iceland can be summarized in one word: wet! Prepare for wet weather so if we’re treated to sunny, dry conditions (which does happen!), then it’s a bonus. Especially when we’re running along the southern coast, it can be cool and windy, and rain is highly likely.
The average daytime temperatures are in the low- to mid-fifties, though it can reach the 60s on a sunny day. In the packing list we supply for you, we highly recommend lightweight rain pants and a waterproof-breathable rain jacket. It won’t be raining the whole time, but for those times it is raining, you’ll be glad to have the right gear.
The food in Iceland is rich and delicious, yet simple and not highly seasoned. Icelandic people savor the natural flavors found in the vegetables, seafood and meats that are dietary staples.
You’ll enjoy fresh-caught seafood like chard, cod and haddock. Beef is rare, though lamb is another local favorite. Icelandic yogurt, butter and cheese is very rich, full of fat and flavor.
Most vegetables are grown in massive geothermal-heated greenhouses found throughout the country’s inhabited areas. Most meals are included in your retreat package, and we handpick high-quality restaurants for unforgettable culinary experiences. (Some lunches are excluded).
We make every effort to accommodate your dietary preferences and restrictions. However, there are occasions when we may face limitations. You'll have a chance to indicate your specific dietary requirements in the retreat participant intake form. Please note that alcoholic drinks are excluded, and snacks and beverages outside of meals and trail runs are not included.
An ideal place to take a deep breath, experience adventure and enjoy the luxury of an exceptional hotel. Thanks to the mix of cool concrete, glass and warm materials such as driftwood and lava stone from the surrounding area, the member of the design hotels blends harmoniously into its surroundings. The spectacular façade and all the furniture are made from natural, recycled materials, while bed linen and towels are made from fair-trade cotton. In the Lava Spa you will be pampered with natural Icelandic care products and you can marvel at the fascinating nature from the heated outdoor pool.
The Hotel Vik í Mýrdal is a modern Art Deco hotel located a short walk from the Black Sand Beach. The rooms are designed in a contemporary, nature-inspired style by noted Icelandic architect Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir. Every room comes with blackout curtains, a wardrobe, complimentary WiFi, a flat-screen TV, telephone, desk, coffee, and tea. Furthermore, each room’s large bathroom offers a walk-in tiled shower, towels, a hairdryer and both natural and organic skincare products that are made in Iceland from wild herbs. As with typical hotels in Iceland, the two double beds can be slid apart to crate a little extra space between you and your roommate.
One of the best ways to deepen your experience with mindfulness during and after your retreat is to add the Transformational Travel Journal to your package. This co-branded journal by Run Wild Retreats in partnership with the Transformational Travel Journal provides an intentional space to write, draw, sketch and otherwise creatively express what meaning this travel experience has for you. Filled with thoughtful writing prompts, inspirational quotes and mindfulness-inspired ideas, we highly recommend using this journal to help you enhance your mindful running experience.
Reykjavík, Iceland 
Extend your time in Iceland with a two-day stay at Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon's Silica Hotel. At this exclusive geothermal paradise away from the crowds, you'll enjoy savory culinary creations of the Lava Restaurant and relaxing hospitality of the Silica Hotel.
When you arrive at Reykjavik International Airport, take a Flybus to downtown Reykjavik and walk to the Centerhotel Midgardur (ÞVERHOLT 14, Reykjavik). Enjoy some free time to explore the city and grab some lunch (on your own) before meeting the retreat group at 2 p.m.
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. 
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.
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..png?fit=crop&crop=entropy&h=45&w=45&auto=format)
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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.
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.
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.
Extend your stay in Iceland another two nights and enjoy a guided day trip to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula with a local outfitter.
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