Hiking with Husky in Akureyri

The best part of this Akureyri outing is that the huskies are not presented as a staged attraction. Gunni and María live with their dogs, know each one by name, and welcome you into their home before taking you out on a walk through the countryside. You get a real look at life with a large sled-dog family, not just a quick photo stop.

I like the personal welcome and the way each dog is paired with a suitable person. I also like the setting, where a short hike can include mountains, sea, countryside, forest, and plenty of fresh air. The main consideration is physical: these are working sled dogs, so they pull hard. Even a walk of roughly two miles can feel like a workout, especially on uneven ground.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet the family pack: Spend time with more than 20 friendly huskies at the home where they live with Gunni and María.
• Expect a genuine hike: The dogs pull on hands-free leashes, so the walk can work your legs and core.
• Trails can be adjusted: Gunni chooses from local routes and aims to match the walk to your group’s ability.
• Pickup is available: You are collected about 15 minutes before the start, with the activity returning to the same meeting point.
• Small-group feel: The maximum group size is 12 people, and the tour is offered in English.
• A strong family choice: Children can enjoy the dogs, though younger or smaller children may need help handling a husky.

Why this husky outing feels different

Many dog experiences give you a few minutes beside an animal, then move you along. This one gives you time. You begin at goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, just outside Akureyri, where the dogs live with their owners.

Gunni and María treat the visit as a home call. That shapes the whole mood. The dogs may greet you with a loud chorus of husky sounds, and one has even been described as sounding like a cow. They are not quiet display animals. They are energetic, social, and eager to know why you have arrived.

You will meet the pack before the hike, with time for pats and pictures. The dogs are described as friendly, obedient, and well cared for. Each has a name, age, and personality, and the owners take pride in knowing them all. That personal connection is the heart of the outing.

You may also see the dogs’ living areas, hear about racing and training, and learn how the family manages a pack of roughly 21 adult dogs. On some visits, puppies have been part of the experience as well. The tour does not promise puppies every time, so think of them as a possible bonus rather than a feature to count on.

Starting with introductions, stories, and husky noise

If you are arriving by car, the meeting point is goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. If you need a ride, pickup is offered from your accommodation. You are asked to be ready outside about 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

The pickup also works well for cruise passengers. A pickup from the port has been arranged for some visits, and the drive to the dogs’ home has been described as about 10 minutes. Confirm the pickup details when booking, since the official meeting point remains the goHusky property.

Once you arrive, expect a lively welcome. Huskies are vocal dogs, and a pack can make quite a racket. That noise is part of their character, but it may surprise you if you expect a calm kennel visit. Gunni uses simple obedience commands, and the dogs settle quickly when asked.

The introduction is not just a roll call of animals. Gunni and María explain how they raise and train the huskies, how the dogs fit into family life, and how the business began. You can ask questions as you go. The owners’ enthusiasm is clear, but the tone remains relaxed rather than formal.

Choosing a husky for the walk

Before setting out, the guides match a dog to each person as carefully as possible. This matters because huskies are not all alike. Some are younger and more excitable, while others are steadier and easier to manage.

The dogs use hands-free leashes, which leave your arms freer and make the walk more comfortable. Still, do not mistake hands-free for effortless. These are sled dogs built to pull, and they know how to move forward with purpose.

A smaller child may not be able to control a husky alone. One family found that an 11-year-old weighing about 75 pounds needed help, though the child could walk alongside a guide and take part. Children still get plenty of attention from the dogs, which often enjoy playing with them, but an adult should be ready to assist.

You should also expect a few husky kisses, sudden enthusiasm, and the occasional dog that wants to lead faster than you do. The guides help with the pairing and can offer support during the walk.

Hiking through Akureyri’s countryside

The hike is the active part of the experience. You may walk through a mix of countryside, forest, and open areas with views toward the mountains and sea. The exact route can change, since Gunni chooses among local trails and tries to find one that suits the group.

That flexibility is useful. A group seeking a gentler outing may follow a shorter or easier route, while a stronger group can handle more of the dogs’ natural pulling power. The walk is not sold as a long trek, and one outing covered about two miles or slightly less.

Even at that distance, you should prepare for exercise. Holding back a husky can work your quads, glutes, and abdominal muscles. The dog is doing its own version of a workout, too. If you enjoy an active experience, this turns a simple animal visit into something more memorable. If you want a quiet stroll, the pulling may be tiring.

The ground can be uneven. One trail was described as a nice short walk but not level underfoot. Wear sturdy shoes and expect ordinary Icelandic outdoor conditions rather than a smooth path. The route is part of the appeal, but this is not a paved promenade.

As you walk, you have one-on-one time with your husky and a guide. That makes it easy to ask about the dog’s behavior, sled racing, training, and daily life. The hike gives you a better sense of the dogs’ strength and working instincts than a fenced viewing area ever could.

Returning home to the full pack

After the hike, you return to the property and spend more time with the rest of the dogs. This is where the home setting becomes especially valuable. You are not only walking one husky. You are seeing how a large pack lives, rests, trains, and interacts with its owners.

You can take photographs and cuddle the dogs, as long as the animals are comfortable with the attention. The dogs are known for being curious and affectionate, and the owners guide you through the pack. Their care is easy to notice in the way they talk about individual names, habits, and temperaments.

You may also see where the adult dogs are housed and learn about practical details such as using husky fur to make yarn and clothing. That small detail gives the visit a personal, hands-on quality. It shows how the family uses what the dogs naturally shed rather than treating them as a simple tourist prop.

The time at home also gives you a chance to slow down after the walk. You can ask more questions, enjoy the dogs without holding a leash, and take pictures. For many people, this second half is as important as the hiking itself.

What $138.17 gets you

At $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in North Iceland. The tour lasts about two hours, so the price looks high if you judge it only by walking time.

The value comes from the full visit. You receive pickup if needed, a guided hike, time with one husky, introductions to a large family pack, practical stories about training and racing, and access to a home environment that most standard excursions do not provide.

The small maximum of 12 people also matters. This is not a large coach stop where you line up for a fast photograph. A smaller group gives you more room to ask questions and more chance to spend meaningful time with the dogs.

For dog lovers, the cost is easier to justify because the outing combines animal contact with outdoor activity. It also breaks up the usual Akureyri sightseeing pattern. For someone who is only mildly interested in dogs, the price may feel less convincing, especially if the hike is shortened by weather or if you dislike strong pulling.

Cruise passengers may find the price worthwhile because the pickup and compact duration fit neatly into a port day. You should still allow enough time around the scheduled activity and confirm where pickup will occur.

Who will enjoy it most

This is a natural fit for anyone who already loves huskies, working dogs, or small-scale family businesses. You will get more from it if you enjoy asking questions and learning how animals are trained and cared for.

Families can do well here. Children are welcomed, and the dogs are friendly, curious, and playful. Adults should remain involved with younger children, since a husky can be too strong for a small person to handle alone.

You do not need extensive dog-handling experience. The guides help match dogs to people, and they can assist during the hike. Still, you should be comfortable around large, energetic animals and willing to accept some noise, pulling, and physical effort.

The outing also suits solo visitors and couples who want something more personal than a standard bus tour. It is offered in English, and the group cap helps keep the visit conversational.

You may want to skip it if you dislike dogs, have difficulty walking on uneven ground, or want a completely relaxed nature walk. The trail length is manageable, but the dogs can make it demanding.

Timing, pickup, and practical details

The activity lasts about two hours and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, with collection about 15 minutes before the tour. Be ready in front of your accommodation so the departure stays on schedule.

The listed starting point is goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. Mobile tickets are accepted, confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is conducted in English.

Most people can take part, but the uneven trail and strong dogs deserve attention. Bring outdoor clothing suited to Iceland, wear shoes with a firm grip, and keep your hands free where possible. A camera is useful, since you will have many chances for pictures, but protect it from excited noses and busy paws.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 80 days. That is especially useful to know if your Akureyri visit is tied to a cruise date or a tight Iceland itinerary. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the goHusky hike?

I would choose this if you want an honest, friendly meeting with a working-dog family rather than a polished animal show. The strongest features are the warm welcome from Gunni and María, the chance to meet the whole pack, and the short but surprisingly useful hike through the countryside.

Go in expecting strong dogs and uneven ground, not a gentle walk. If you are ready for the pulling, the noise, and the occasional burst of husky chaos, $138.17 buys a distinctive two-hour experience with real personal contact.

Book it especially if you are a dog lover, traveling with children old enough to follow instructions, or looking for a small-group activity near Akureyri. Skip it if you want a quiet trail or have no interest in spending time at a husky home. For the right person, this is one of the more personal ways to spend a morning or afternoon in North Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the husky hike begin?

The activity begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you should be ready in front of your accommodation about 15 minutes before the tour.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can children take part?

Yes. Children can participate, but smaller children may need help handling a strong husky. A guide or adult can assist during the walk.

Is the hike physically demanding?

It can be. The dogs are sled dogs and may pull strongly, and some trails have uneven ground. One walk covered about two miles or slightly less, but the pulling can make it feel like a workout.

What is the cancellation policy?

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