Hiking with Husky in Akureyri

The best part of Hiking with Husky in Akureyri is that it is not a quick photo stop with a working dog. Gunni and María invite you into their home, introduce you to their large husky family, then match you with a dog for a walk through North Icelandic countryside. You get mountains, sea, forest, fresh air, and plenty of canine personality.

I like two things in particular. First, the dogs live with their owners, so you see their everyday setting rather than a staged animal encounter. Second, the walk can be adjusted to suit the group, although these are sled dogs and they pull with real strength. The main consideration is that even a short hike can be a workout, especially on uneven ground.

Key points to know

• Meet more than 20 family dogs: You spend time with the wider pack at the house, not just the dog assigned to your hike.
• Walk with a strong sled dog: Hands-free leashes help, but huskies can pull hard and turn a short outing into serious exercise.
• Enjoy a changing North Iceland setting: The route may include countryside, forest, mountain views, sea views, and fresh air.
• Get a personal welcome from Gunni and María: The visit feels small and informal, with a maximum of 12 people.
• Pickup is available: The tour can collect you about 15 minutes before the start from your accommodation.
• Allow about two hours: The time covers introductions, the hike, meeting the pack, and time around the home.

A husky visit that feels like a home call

Many dog activities in Iceland follow a simple pattern: see the animals, take a picture, leave. This one has a warmer shape. Gunni and María treat the dogs as family, and you are invited into that family setting for a couple of hours.

That difference matters. You are not only looking at handsome dogs behind a fence. You learn their names, see where they live, and watch how they respond to their owners. The arrival can be noisy. Huskies are famously vocal, and this pack may greet you with a chorus that includes some surprisingly strange sounds, including a bark that one visitor compared to a moo.

The hosts use simple obedience commands to settle the dogs. That gives you a useful glimpse of the work behind a sled-dog operation. These animals are friendly and social, but they are still powerful working dogs. Their excitement is part of the fun, yet you need to listen carefully to the instructions before setting off.

Meeting the pack outside Akureyri

The goHusky home is at Glæsibær 3, on the northern outskirts of Akureyri. You can meet there, or arrange pickup. The stated pickup plan is simple: be ready in front of your accommodation about 15 minutes before the tour begins.

For cruise passengers, the location is especially practical. One account describes pickup at the port and a drive of roughly ten minutes. Since exact ship schedules and pickup arrangements can vary, confirm the meeting details when you book, but this can be a welcome change from a large coach tour.

On arrival, expect a lively welcome. The dogs may all want attention at once, particularly if they suspect a walk is coming. Gunni and María gradually introduce you to the pack and explain how the dogs are raised, trained, and cared for.

The size of the group helps here. With a maximum of 12 people, you are not lost in a crowd. You have a better chance to ask about individual dogs, racing, training, and life with a large pack. The visit is offered in English.

The two-hour visit, step by step

The exact order can vary with the group and conditions, but the experience has four clear parts.

First comes the welcome and introduction to the dogs. You spend time around the home and meet members of the pack. There may be more than 20 dogs, with one account referring to 21 adult dogs. Each has a name and personality, and the owners are happy to talk about them.

Next, you prepare for the hike. The hosts aim to match a dog to each person based on age, temperament, and ability. That matching is important because huskies are not all the same. Some may be calmer, while younger dogs can be particularly eager and difficult for a small child to control.

The walk follows a local trail in the surrounding countryside. The scenery can include mountains, sea, woodland, open country, and clean Icelandic air. The route is not presented as a major trek. One outing covered about two miles or slightly less, but the distance does not tell the whole story.

Finally, you return to the home and have more time with the pack. You can take photographs, pet the dogs, and see their living area. The owners may also talk about practical parts of husky life, including using dog fur to make yarn and clothing. Depending on the day, you might also see puppies, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every visit.

Why the hike is harder than it sounds

A two-hour dog walk may sound gentle. With sled dogs, it is not always so. Huskies are bred to pull, and several people found the walk demanding in a good way. You may use your legs and core to keep pace, manage the leash, and stop the dog from surging ahead.

The leashes are hands-free, which leaves your arms freer and can make the walk more comfortable. Still, you need to stay alert. A husky may be friendly and well trained while also being eager to move. The combination can feel like a brisk hike with a furry engine attached.

The trail itself may not be perfectly level. Uneven ground was specifically noted, so sturdy footwear is sensible. The hosts can choose different routes and try to find one that suits the group, but you should not expect a paved stroll or a completely flat path.

This is also why children need a little help. Children can enjoy the dogs and take part in the walk, but a smaller child may not be able to manage a husky alone. A child can walk with a guide or share control, and the hosts try to pair people and dogs sensibly. An 11-year-old weighing about 75 pounds was considered too small to handle one independently, though still able to help.

The scenery adds more than a backdrop

The setting gives the activity its Icelandic character. You are not walking around a city park. The route takes you through the countryside just outside Akureyri, with views toward mountains and sea, along with forest and open air.

The scenery will depend on the chosen trail and the weather. That is a strength of the flexible format. The hosts can choose among local paths instead of forcing every group along one fixed route.

I like this balance. The dogs provide the focus, but the walk still gives you a taste of the North Iceland setting. You get moving, breathe fresh air, and see the countryside at a human pace. For someone spending a day in Akureyri or making a short cruise stop, that can feel more personal than simply checking off a viewpoint from a bus window.

The drawback is that the weather may affect comfort. The tour takes place outdoors, and Icelandic conditions can change. Wear layers and shoes that can handle uneven ground. The available information does not promise a particular trail surface or weather plan, so arrive ready for a real outdoor activity.

What makes the dog encounter different

The dogs are the heart of this tour, but the way you meet them is just as important as their appearance. Huskies are intelligent, curious, friendly, and very expressive. They may crowd around you, call out, lean in for attention, or compete to be selected for the walk.

You also get to see how the dogs behave with people who know them well. Gunni and María use commands, manage the group, and explain each dog’s place in the pack. Their close relationship with the animals is easy to understand because the dogs are treated as members of the household.

That home setting also gives you a better sense of the work involved. Caring for more than 20 adult dogs is not the same as keeping one family pet. The visit can include discussion of racing, breeding, training, and daily care, giving the activity more substance than a simple cuddle session.

The dogs are friendly, but do not mistake friendly for passive. Some will be boisterous. Their size, vocal nature, and pulling power may overwhelm anyone who is nervous around large dogs. If you love dogs, that energy is likely a highlight. If you prefer quiet, controlled animal encounters, this may not be your ideal outing.

Value at $138.17 per person

At $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Akureyri. The price makes more sense when you count what is included in the format: pickup is offered, the group is limited to 12, you get a guided walk, and you spend time with the wider pack at the owners’ home.

You are also paying for something that is difficult to copy independently. You could walk near Akureyri for free, but you could not easily arrange a safe, personal introduction to a large sled-dog family and then hike with one of the dogs.

Value depends heavily on your interests. A dog lover who would happily spend an afternoon meeting huskies may find the price fair. Someone mainly seeking a long, scenic hike may find better value elsewhere, since the walking portion is relatively short and the main attraction is the dogs and the home visit.

The small group is another part of the value. With up to 12 people, this is not a private tour, but it is far more intimate than a large coach excursion. Cruise passengers may especially appreciate that difference during a short port call.

Who should book this experience

I would put this near the top of the list for dog lovers, families, and anyone who wants a friendly local encounter rather than a standard sightseeing stop. It works well for adults who enjoy being active and children who can follow instructions around large dogs.

It also suits people who are curious about working animals. You learn how sled dogs are trained, how they live, and how their owners manage a large pack. That gives the visit a practical side beyond petting and photographs.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike uneven ground, or do not feel comfortable managing a strong dog. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not describe the route as accessible or flat. The hosts can adjust the hike, yet you should explain any concerns before starting.

This is also not the right pick if you want guaranteed puppies, a long-distance trek, or a silent walk through nature. The dogs are vocal, excitable, and eager to pull. The charm comes from their energy, not from perfect calm.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Wear sturdy shoes with good grip. The trail can be uneven, and the dogs may pull you along with purpose.

Dress for changing Icelandic weather. The route is outdoors, and the experience includes time around the home and pack, so layers will help.

Listen carefully when the hosts explain the dogs and the leashes. A friendly husky still has considerable strength.

If you are bringing a child, expect to help with the dog. Smaller children may walk with a guide or share control rather than handle a husky alone.

Bring your phone or camera. You will have many chances for photographs, both on the trail and around the home. Keep it secure while walking, since your hands may be busy managing the leash.

Pickup is offered, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. If you are staying in Akureyri, have your accommodation details ready and be outside about 15 minutes before pickup.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Hiking with Husky in Akureyri?

Book it if you want close contact with a large, well-cared-for husky family and you like the idea of a short but active countryside walk. The personal welcome from Gunni and María, the chance to meet the pack at home, and the dogs’ lively character make this much more than a quick photo opportunity.

Skip it if you want a long hike, a quiet nature tour, or a completely flat route. For the right person, the $138.17 price buys a rare kind of Iceland memory: a walk with a working dog, followed by time in the home where that dog actually lives.

FAQ

Where does the husky hike take place?

The activity takes place at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland, with a hike on a nearby local trail.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts about two hours.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, with instructions to be ready in front of your accommodation about 15 minutes before the tour.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Can children join the hike?

Yes. Children can participate, but smaller children may need to walk with a guide or share control because huskies are strong pullers.

Is the trail difficult?

The hike is relatively short, but the trail can have uneven ground and the dogs may pull strongly. Different trails can be chosen to suit the group.

Will I meet all of the huskies?

You have time to meet the wider pack at the home after the hike. The dogs live with Gunni and María, and the pack includes more than 20 adult dogs.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.