Here's Why You Need to Go Dog Sledding in Akureyri!

Are you considering going dog sledding in Akureyri? Here’s what happened when we went and everything you need to know!

Of all the things we did in Akureyri, this was one of our favourite experiences. We’d always wanted to go dog sledding. It’s such a bucket list thing to do and completely lived up to our expectations.

Nestled in the heart of North Iceland, Akureyri is often overshadowed by Reykjavik.

But, for those who decide to brave the colder temperatures of northern Iceland, you’ll find spectacular scenery, unforgettable experiences and a winter wonderland here just waiting to be explored.

This guide will take you through our personal experience of husky sledding in Iceland. We’re going to share everything, from the moment we met the dogs to the pure adrenaline of racing through the snow.

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Why go dog sledding in Akureyri?

If the pure fact of crossing such a bucket list experience off your list isn’t enough, here are a few of the things we loved most about this adventure.

Firstly, it’s not what you expect when you think of Iceland. Iceland is known for the Golden Circle in the south, the waterfalls and black beaches on the south coast, the capital of Reykjavik and all its museums.

One of the adorable huskies on our dog sledding tour in Akureyri

It’s not often thought of as a husky sledding destination. For that, people tend to go to Finland or Norway. But, the fact that it’s a hidden gem made it much more appealing to us.

Secondly, unlike the busy tourist spots in the south, North Iceland offers untouched landscapes and a truly immersive Arctic experience.

Two huskies in harnesses stand in a snowy landscape, ready for dog sledding.

You’ll be riding through snow-covered valleys, past towering mountains with only the sound of the dog’s paws and the sled slicing through the snow.

What is the best time to go dog sledding in Akureyri?

Dog sledding in Akureyri is actually offered all year round however, it’s very different in the summer to the winter.

In the summer months, the dogs can take you on a cart ride through the countryside through meadows of flowers. It’s beautiful!

In contrast, if you’re after a traditional snowy winter sledding experience, you’ll need to visit Akureyri in the winter.

Siberian husky with blue eyes sitting on a furry blanket in snowy landscape with a fence in the background.

Close-up of a husky's face with blue eyes in a snowy landscape.

Between December and March tend to have fairly consistent snow cover in Akureyri. This is also the darkest time of year in Iceland and the best time for spotting the northern lights and doing so many other wonderful winter activities.

Our guide also told us that if there isn’t sufficient snow cover, they can do the husky sledding on a frozen lake instead. They use a drill beforehand to check the thickness of the ice.

So, there really is no best time to go. It truly depends on what you’re looking for.

TOP TIP: Keep in mind that weather conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable, so it’s always good to plan some flexibility in your schedule.

What to expect on a Dog Sledding Tour

Dog sledding in Akureyri is an experience that can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Here’s what you can expect:

Duration: Most tours last between 1.5-2 hours. This includes meeting the dogs, getting geared up, and the actual husky sled ride.
What it includes: The tour includes warm clothing, an expert guide, and a visit to the kennel.
Distance: The husky ride is between 6-8 km and you’ll be on a private sled with members of your group.
What to bring: Be sure to wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and waterproof boots, although the tour will be able to provide you with warm overalls.
Who can do this: Dog sledding is suitable for most people, including those with limited mobility or eyesight. Children are usually welcome but check with the guide to ensure they meet any age or height restrictions.

Our Personal Experience with Snow Dogs

Our dog sledding experience was with Snow Dogs, a fantastic family-owned business located on a farm between Akureyri and Myvatn Lakes. It was an amazing afternoon and one of the best things we did during our time in the capital of the north.

Reaching the farm

The easiest way to reach the farm is by having your own hire car as they are based in quite a remote location. That in itself brings its own challenge as the weather in Iceland in January can be quite interesting!

The night before our dog sledding tour, there was a snowstorm in the north and we woke up completely snowed in. For a long time, we thought we weren’t going to make it, but luckily, a local ploughed us out with his tractor.

Snow-covered road seen from inside a vehicle during winter in Iceland. — *The drive to the husky sledding in January*

Once we’d made it out of the remote road, our apartment was located down the rest of the drive wasn’t too bad. But we definitely had to drive slowly and carefully.

The journey takes around 45 minutes from Akureyri, and you’ll pass the beautiful Godafoss waterfall on the way – it’s well worth a stop along the way.

Frozen Godafoss waterfall with icy edges and flowing water in a snowy landscape in Iceland. — *Godafoss waterfall is a place you can stop at on the way*

Once you arrive, park outside the farm and then you’ll head in to meet the huskies.

Meeting the dogs

This was a wonderful part of the tour. Our guide, Sæmundur, came to meet us by the car and led us inside to say hello to the huskies.

First, we got geared up with warm overalls, hats, snoods, and ski goggles.

Two people in winter gear smiling outdoors in snowy weather with a clear blue sky. — *Us in our winter gear ready to go dog sledding in Akureyri*

Then, the dogs were let out of their pens and came to meet us. You could immediately tell how well looked after they were and they were so excited to see us!

We went outside into a larger pen where they had a little run around and let off some of their excess energy. Then, we went over to the sleds while the huskies got harnessed up.

Huskies in a snow-covered enclosure with fencing, some harnessed for sledding, under a grey sky. — *The huskies getting their harnesses on ready to go*

They got quite loud at this point, barking and howling and we could tell how eager they were to get going. Andrew held the brakes of the sled while Sæmundur attached the harnesses to the dogs.

Once all the dogs were in position, they opened the gate and off we went!

The sledding experience

It was so obvious that the dogs wanted to get going because as soon as they started running, they instantly stopped barking.

We whizzed through the countryside, surrounded by breathtaking snowy scenery. There were mountains in the distance, and everywhere we looked was an endless expanse of untouched white – this was Iceland at its most wild and wonderful.

Sled dogs pulling a sled across a snow-covered landscape in Akureyri, Iceland. — *The huskies pulling us through the snow during our sledding experience*

The team at Snow Dogs had carefully mapped out a trail for us that morning, but it had been snowing so much since then that it was already covered in a fresh blanket of powdery snow.

A few times, they stopped, to let us get off the sled, interact with the dogs and take photographs. Each time we stopped, the dogs wagged their tails excitedly, and barked to get going again – it was clear they loved what they were doing!

Huskies pulling a sled across snowy landscape with a team of mushers and dogs in the distance. — *We were often allowed to stop and take photos – our guide took this photo for us*

Throughout the ride, our musher also told us lots of information about the dogs – how they’re trained, their unique personalities, and where they came from. They have 33 dogs in total and all are purebred Siberian huskies.

The dogs’ enthusiasm was infectious and every time we set off again, it was clear just how strong they were and how much energy they had.

Group of four people in winter gear with huskies and sled in snowy landscape in Akureyri.

The journey was a big loop through the Icelandic wilderness. I think we were out with the dogs for around an hour before we arrived back at the farm.

Once we got back, the team let us help with unharnessing all the dogs and we got to have more cuddles before they took them inside. We could ask questions, see where the dogs slept, and even see what they ate, which was a very high-quality raw diet.

The huskies back at the farm after our tour

Finally, we took off our overalls and said goodbye to the huskies after a wonderful afternoon.

What to bring on the tour

Although Snow Dogs will provide you with a lot of the things you need for this tour, it’s always best to come as prepared as you can.

They have thermals, overalls, and other winter gear to hire, but we all came fully dressed for winter in Iceland with our own thermals on, snow boots, thick gloves, hats, and warm coats.

Person in blue winter gear with glasses petting two huskies in snowy enclosure. — *Andrew cuddling the huskies after our tour*

When we added the overalls to all of this, we were toasty warm! It was fantastic!

The other great thing about Snow Dogs is that a lot of their winter gear is available to buy. Many people are so warm on their dog sledding tours that they want to keep the gear, so you can purchase hats, overalls, gloves, and a few other things.

Can you do the tour if you don’t have a car?

Yes, you can. Snow Dogs offers transfer services from both Akureyri and the Myvatn area. However, if you’re confident driving in Iceland in winter, it’ll be more efficient to drive yourself. Plus, this will allow you to stop at other places in the area on the way.

But ONLY do this if you’re confident driving in winter conditions. Iceland in winter can be brutal and it’s definitely worth spending a little more money on a transfer than risking having an accident because you aren’t confident driving.

What else is there to do nearby?

There are so many wonderful things to do in Akureyri and the surrounding area including:

The Forest Lagoon: Akureyri’s beautiful geothermal spa is the perfect place to relax in the evening. Read our full review of the lagoon.
Northern Lights Tour: The north of Iceland is often much better than the south for spotting the northern lights and there are several tours which will take you chasing the auroras.
Whale Watching: Yes, even in winter! We went whale watching in January and saw a humpback whale – another bucket list experience in northern Iceland.
Explore Myvatn Lakes: This beautiful area is well worth a visit in winter. You’ll find caves, lava fields, and the famous Myvatn Nature Baths.

A whale's back breaking the water surface in a grey ocean under a cloudy sky. — *The whale we spotted on our whale watching tour in January*

In our opinion, there’s just as much to do in Northern Iceland as the south coast, and it’s much less crowded. So, if you’re spending a few days in Akureyri, husky sledding is a wonderful addition to an itinerary.

Is dog sledding in Akureyri worth it?

100% yes, this is a no-brainer! We had the absolute best time husky sledding in Akureyri and this is an experience I would do again in a heartbeat.

The dogs were adorable, the guides were absolutely fantastic, and it was amazing to be able to tick this off our bucket lists in one of our favourite countries in the world.

If you love dogs and the outdoors, are visiting Iceland in winter, or simply want to try something new and exciting during your day in Akureyri, we highly recommend dog sledding in Akureyri.

If you have any questions about this experience, ask us anything in our Facebook Group.

👉 Don’t know where to stay yet? Here are our favourite hotels in Akureyri!