Hiking with Husky in Akureyri

The best part of this Akureyri outing is that the huskies are not brought out for a quick photo and sent away. Gunni and Maria live with their dogs, and you spend time in their home before and after a short hike. I like the personal setting and the chance to see how a working sled-dog family lives. I also like that the walk can be adjusted to suit the group.

The main thing to know is that these are sled dogs, not gentle lapdogs. A husky can pull hard, and the walk may feel like a real workout, especially on uneven ground. Children can join, but smaller children may need help holding the leash or walking with a guide.

Key points to know before you book

• Meet more than one husky: After your walk, you can spend time with the larger pack at the family home.
• Walk with a strong dog: The huskies are trained working dogs, so expect pulling, energy, and plenty of personality.
• Enjoy varied scenery: The route may include mountain views, the sea, countryside, forest, and fresh Icelandic air.
• Gunni and Maria host at home: The tone is informal and welcoming, more like visiting a dog-loving family than joining a standard bus tour.
• Pickup is available: The tour collects you about 15 minutes before departure and returns to the meeting point.
• Small groups keep it personal: A maximum of 12 people allows time for questions and individual help.

A family home full of huskies

The tour begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, on the northern side of Akureyri. If you arrange pickup, be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the start. This is useful if you are visiting without a car, and especially handy during a short cruise stop.

The drive from central Akureyri is brief. One cruise-ship visitor described the trip from the port as roughly 10 minutes, though your exact pickup time and drive will depend on where you are staying. You may also make your own way to the meeting point.

Gunni and Maria are central to the experience. They introduce you to their dogs, explain how the pack lives, and answer questions about huskies, racing, training, and daily care. The family keeps more than 20 adult dogs, and the dogs are treated as members of the household.

That home setting changes the feel of the outing. You are not simply standing beside a tethered animal for a quick picture. You get to see the dogs in their own environment, hear their excited welcome, and learn their names and personalities. Huskies are famously vocal, and you may hear a chorus of howls and unusual sounds when you arrive.

The noise can be surprising at first. It is part of the fun, but this is not the right choice if you want a quiet animal encounter. The dogs are friendly and trained, yet they are energetic animals arriving at the prospect of a walk.

Meeting the pack before the walk

Before setting out, you have time to meet the huskies. This is one of the strongest parts of the visit, especially if you enjoy watching animal behavior rather than simply taking a ride.

You may see dogs competing for attention, greeting people with enthusiasm, or waiting for their turn to go out. The hosts explain how they train the dogs and use basic obedience commands to settle them. That detail matters because it shows the difference between uncontrolled excitement and a well-managed working pack.

The dogs have individual names, and Gunni and Maria know them. You can ask about their ages, temperaments, and roles. The team also pairs a dog with a person based on size, confidence, and energy. That matching is important because a young, lively husky may be too powerful for a small child or anyone who is not steady on uneven ground.

You should plan to bring your camera. There is time for photographs and cuddles, and the dogs are described as curious, affectionate, and approachable. Still, let the hosts guide the interaction. A pack of more than 20 dogs can be a lot of fur, paws, and movement at once.

Hiking with a working sled dog

The walk is the heart of the activity. You are paired with a husky and head out on a local trail near the home. The route gives you a taste of North Iceland without taking up a full day.

The scenery can include mountains, sea, open countryside, forest, and clean northern air. The setting is less about reaching a famous viewpoint and more about sharing a simple walk in the area where the dogs live. That makes this a good fit if you want a local experience rather than another stop at a major attraction.

The hike is not long. One account puts the distance at about two miles or slightly less, though the exact route can change. The total activity lasts around two hours, including introductions, the walk, and time with the pack.

Do not judge the physical effort by the distance. Huskies are bred to pull, and they enjoy moving fast. Holding one back can work your thighs, glutes, and stomach. The walk may feel like a short outdoor gym session, but the dog provides the motivation.

The leashes are hands-free, which helps you keep your balance and leaves your arms available for control. Even so, you need to stay alert. A husky can lunge toward an interesting smell or pick up the pace when it sees the trail ahead.

The ground may not be level. This is a local trail, not a paved city promenade, and the route can have rough or uneven sections. If you have limited mobility, balance concerns, or little experience handling strong dogs, tell the guide at the start. Gunni adjusts the trail to suit the group and can help match you with an appropriate dog.

Children are welcome and usually enjoy the dogs’ playful nature. But a child weighing around 75 pounds may not be able to manage a husky alone, particularly if the dog is young or powerful. Children can walk with one of the guides or share control, while adults should take responsibility for the stronger dogs.

How the trail changes with the group

A useful feature here is flexibility. The hosts can choose among different hiking routes in the area and try to find one that suits the people taking part.

That does not mean the walk becomes fully accessible or effortless. You should still expect outdoor ground and a dog that may pull. It does mean the guide can respond to the group instead of forcing everyone along one fixed route.

For an experienced walker, this can make the outing feel pleasantly relaxed. For a family with children, it gives the hosts room to keep the pace comfortable. For a first-time dog handler, it allows you to ask for help and learn how to work with the leash.

The guide is with you during the walk, so you can ask about the dogs as you go. You may learn about racing, breeding, obedience, and the daily life of a sled-dog pack. That personal conversation is a large part of the value.

Returning home to the full pack

After the hike, the visit returns to the house and dog areas. You have more time to meet the rest of the dogs, take pictures, and cuddle with the huskies.

This second dog session is not filler. The hike gives you one-on-one time with a single animal, while the return visit lets you see the wider family group. You can compare the dog you walked with the others and notice how each one behaves.

The hosts also show how the dogs are housed and cared for. One part of the visit includes seeing the enclosure and living areas for the adult dogs. Depending on the time of year, you may also meet puppies.

A particularly unusual detail is the use of husky fur for yarn and clothing. If this interests you, ask about it during the home visit. It adds another practical glimpse into life with a large working-dog family.

The dogs’ friendliness is a major strength, but keep realistic expectations. Friendly does not mean calm. With more than 20 dogs, the house and yard can feel busy, loud, and full of motion. Dog lovers will probably find this entertaining. Anyone nervous around large groups of animals may prefer a quieter activity.

What the $138.17 price gets you

At $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Iceland. The tour lasts about two hours, so the price may look high if you measure it only by walking distance.

I think the better comparison is with the type of experience you are buying. The fee covers pickup if arranged, a guided hike, time with a selected husky, instruction and help during the walk, and a longer visit with the full pack at the family home. You are paying for access to a private working-dog household, not just a short photo stop.

The small group limit of 12 also matters. A larger coach group would make the personal introductions and individual dog matching much harder. Here, you have a better chance to ask questions, handle a dog suited to you, and spend time with Gunni and Maria.

This is especially good value for a dog lover, a family looking for a hands-on outing, or someone making a cruise stop and wanting something different from the usual sightseeing circuit. It is less compelling if you want a long hike, a full dogsled ride, or a major mountain excursion.

The price is also easier to justify if you value the home visit. The hike is short, but the full experience includes the hosts’ stories, the pack, the dog-care setting, and plenty of time for photographs.

Who should book this Akureyri experience

I would point dog lovers here first. You do not need advanced knowledge of huskies, and most people can take part, but you should enjoy close contact with lively animals.

Families are another good match. Children can meet the dogs, help with the walk, and spend time with the pack afterward. Adults should be ready to help with leash control, since a small child may not have the strength to manage a pulling husky.

This also works well for cruise passengers. Pickup from the port area is available, and the short transfer makes it possible to fit into a day in Akureyri. Confirm your timing carefully, since the tour itself lasts two hours and pickup takes place before the start.

You might also like it if you have already seen waterfalls, coastal views, and standard Icelandic sights. The scenery here is pleasant, but the real point is the connection with the dogs and their owners.

I would think twice if you dislike noise, have difficulty on uneven ground, or want a gentle stroll. The route can be adjusted, but the huskies remain strong working animals. You should be comfortable with some pulling and physical effort.

Practical details that matter

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and a mobile ticket is accepted.

The meeting point is goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. Pickup is offered, with instructions to wait in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the activity. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

The group can include no more than 12 people. That is a useful limit for an activity involving animals, children, and hands-on instruction.

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. The walk itself is shorter than the full visit, since time is also set aside for introductions and meeting the dogs at home.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Icelandic time.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5, with every published rating recommending the experience. More important than the number is the consistent pattern: warm hosts, well-cared-for dogs, beautiful local scenery, and a walk that feels more personal than a standard tour.

Should you book Hiking with Husky in Akureyri?

Book it if you want a friendly, unusual encounter with working dogs and enjoy the idea of visiting a real husky family. The strongest reasons are the time at Gunni and Maria’s home, the chance to meet the whole pack, and the walk tailored to your group.

Go in prepared for noise, dog hair, uneven ground, and a serious pull on the leash. This is not a passive petting stop. It asks you to take part.

For a short cruise visit, a family day, or a dog lover’s Iceland itinerary, I think the personal setting makes the $138.17 price reasonable. If your priority is a long hike or a traditional sled ride, choose another activity. If you want friendly dogs, local hosts, and a memorable look at life with a large husky pack, this is a fine choice.

FAQ

Where does the husky hike begin?

The activity begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland.

Is pickup available?

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

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, including time with the dogs, the hike, and the visit at the home.

How many people can join?

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 from a guide or an adult because the huskies are strong pullers.

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 start time are not accepted for a refund.