The Ultimate Iceland Summer Road Trip Itinerary

☀️ Why you should visit Iceland in the Summer

My favorite time to visit Iceland is definitely the Summer months of June, July or August. The days are longer, the temperatures are a little less icy and Icelandic nature is at its absolute best! Visiting Iceland during the Summer months is for if you want to:

Go on a whale watching tour
Explore the Icelandic Highlands
Go on adventurous hikes
See the world famous purple lupin fields
See puffins in their natural habitat
See the midnight sun

Planning your trip to Iceland

🏨 Find the best accommodations on Booking.com
💰 Get reliable travel insurance from World Nomads
🚘 Rent a car to travel around Iceland with SunnyCars.com
🎒 Pack a power bank, hiking shoes and trekking poles.
📚 Read How Iceland changed the world, Lonely Planet’s Iceland and Nordic Islands by Stefan Forster

🇮🇸 Some strange and interesting facts about Iceland

Many Icelanders believe in elves and trolls and that they reside within the Highlands of Iceland.
You can swim outdoors in hot springs all year round.
There’s no McDonald’s in entire Iceland.
There are more than 30 volcanic regions scattered throughout the country.
Over 10% of the country is covered in glaciers.
The country has no train or railway system.
The longest word found in Icelandic is: vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur.
Iceland has been chosen multiple times as the best place to live as a woman.

✈️ Getting into Iceland

The easiest way to reach Iceland is to fly to Keflavik Airport which lies on the Reykjanes peninsula. A ton of international airlines have a stop over in Iceland and their own national air carrier IcelandAir offers a ton of daily flights from the USA and Europe.

Once you’ve arrived at the airport you can simply pick up your rental car or camper van and you’re good to go! If you’re planning on driving yourself you may want to watch out for the taxi’s outside of the airport. They tend to overcharge so you’re far better of taking one of the local busses to Reykjavik.

💸Iceland Travel Insurance

I highly recommend you to get a travel insurance before your trip cause the risks are never worth the costs. If you’re going on a more adventurous trip you can always get yourself injured! So far I have sprained my ankle in Jordan, got food poisoning in India, turned snow blind in the Dolomites and have fallen multiple times during many hikes. It’s always best to be safe than sorry in such cases and with a good travel insurance you don’t have to worry about medical bills piling up.

I personally love World Nomads, their prices are affordable, their coverage is great, and they also offer 24/7 on-call customer service! When I got super sick in India they even covered an extra night for me at the hotel that I was staying it and rearranged my flight home at no extra cost!

GET A QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

📲 Which apps to download before visiting Iceland in the Summer

Vedur – An accurate Icelandic weather app. Official warnings get updated automatically.
112 Iceland – An application for the Icelandic Emergency Service
Hotpot – The perfect website to scan for those hidden hot springs around the island!

💡 TIP – Create your own travel map in Google Maps. I always save all of the locations that I want to visit on Google Maps and this way I can easily create a daily itinerary and see which places are located close to each other. To make your trip even more easy you. can also save the locations of the campsites in a different color. This way you have all of your travel information in one place and you can easily navigate from one place to the other.

How to get around Iceland

Where to rent your car or camper

When doing a road trip around Iceland you’ll either need to rent a car or a camper. So far I’ve only traveled here with a camper and while it’s a little more adventurous than simply renting a car you’ll also have the most flexibility.

For my camper I always turn to Happy Campers. They rent fully-equipped campers with a bed, kitchen, space heater, and everything you’d need for your road trip. So far I’ve tested out their Happy 1, Happy 2 and Happy 4×4.

With this itinerary you’ll need the Happy 4×4 since you’ll be exploring the Icelandic Highlands.

If camping isn’t for you and you want to add a little more luxury to your trip by staying at local hotels then I suggest you rent a car with SunnyCars. They offer an excellent service and all of the insurances are included in the total price. So that means no hidden costs when you pick up your car!

The same goes here: if you want to be able to follow this entire itinerary make sure to book a 4×4.

What is driving like in Iceland

In general driving in Iceland is very easy and straight forward. There are just a couple of things that you need to know before embarking on your road trip but then you’re good to go.

Speed limit – The speed limit in Iceland varies from 30km/h up to 90km/h but never higher.
Ring Road – This is the main road that leads all around the island and is also referred to as Road 1.
F-roads – These are the unpaved mountain roads that will take you in and through the Icelandic HIghlands. You’re only allowed to drive on them during the Summer months and with a 4×4 vehicle.
Sheep – There definitely more sheep in Iceland than there are humans and they love to roam free and especially next to the road. If you spot them from the distance make sure to lower your speed cause they love nothing more than crossing the road when you get nearer.
Driver’s License – You don’t need an international driver’s license if you want to rent a car or camper in Iceland. Just bring your passport, credit card, and your driver’s license from your home country.
Off Road – It’s strictly forbidden to drive off road in Iceland. Don’t mistake driving on an F-road with driving off road. The F-roads are unpaved gravel roads and you can freely roam these with a 4×4. But driving off road in Iceland is illegal and will lead to high fines.
Headlights – Iceland has a unique law that requires you to keep your headlights on at all times.
Extreme weather – Iceland is known for its strong winds and yes you may encounter these during the Summer months as well. When parking your car make sure it faces the wind so that when you open your car door it can’t fly off.
Gas stations – Gas stations in Iceland are sparse so always make sure to fuel up before you start another long drive. Especially when you’re visiting the Highlands, make sure to fill up your gas tank cause there are no gas stations to be found in the Icelandic Highlands.
GPS – If you have international cell service you don’t need to add a GPS to your car rental service. Google Maps works really well in Iceland. Another option is to buy a local SIM card.
Wild Camping – Wild camping in Iceland with a camper is illegal and you should always use designated campsites.

The Best Hike In Landmannalaugar - The Mount Blahnukur Hiking Trail

🗺 The Ultimate 9 Day Iceland Summer Road Trip Itinerary

This Summer road trip in Iceland had been months, maybe even years, in the making. But every single time that nasty virus and all of the restrictions that came with it cancelled our plans. So when I heard that fully vaccinated travelers where welcome again in Iceland without having to quarantine I literally jumped for joy.

I told Christof we could start planning but oh well one day later I had already booked our flights… OOPS😬.

We would have 9 days to explore the most beautiful parts of the country! I really wanted to show Christof the highlights and my favorite places but I also wanted to explore new spots and discover some hidden gems.

A lot of research went into this itinerary but I am really happy with how it turned out and I know you will have an incredible time in Iceland if you follow it!

DAY 1 – Pick up your vehicle & hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 1 HOUR

Our flight landed in Keflavik around 3pm but a lot of international flights actually arrive already in the morning! This means you’ll have plenty of time to pick up your car or camper, get settled and start your adventure in Iceland by going on an incredible hike.

We started our trip by picking up our 4×4 camper from Happy Campers. They offer a free shuttle service from and to the airport which is only 5 minutes driving from their base.

If you’re going for a rental car instead you can choose a 4×4 with SunnyCars and you can also choose if you prefer to pick it up at the airport or if you want a shuttle service to bring you to the car depot. Rental prices greatly depend on when you book your car and how in advance. You can currently already rent a 4×4 for less than €120/day for August next year!

If you’re traveling with a camper your next point of action will be to go and get groceries. Grocery shopping in Iceland can become expensive if you don’t know where to go.

BONUS and Kronan are the cheapest grocery stores and there’s a giant BONUS only 3 minutes driving from Happy Campers.

After stocking up on enough food and drinks it’s time to start the very first adventure of the week! Hiking up towards a viewpoint over an active volcano!

STOP 1 – FAGRADALSFJALL VOLCANO

The Fagradalsfjall volcano has remained active ever since its eruption in March 2021 and until this day it is still spewing lava. The start of the Fagradalsfjall hike is close to Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

There are actually 3 different trails that lead to the volcano but only one of them has a good view over the active crater. While at the start of the eruption in March 2021 you had to follow hiking trail B, now you have to follow hiking trail C which will lead you to two different viewpoints.

One of them is viewpoint N which offers a view over the massive lava field in the valley, the other one is viewpoint L which is higher up the mountain and will grant you a spectacular view over the crater.

The total hike distance to the viewpoint of the crater and back to the parking lot is 9km and you’ll probably spend 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many times you’ll stop to take photos.

📖 Fagradalsfjall Hiking Trail – How To Visit The Active Volcano in Grindavik Iceland

STOP 2 – BLUE LAGOON

If you still have some time left after your hike I highly recommend soaking and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon for a few hours.

It’s said that its water will nourish, heal and rejuvenate your mind and body. I really liked trying out one of their face masks and to indulge a little at the pool bar.

You can book your tickets for a visit to the Blue Lagoon here!

WHERE TO STAY

🏕 CAMPING

If you’re traveling by camper van the closest campsite is the one in Grindavik. The facilities are clean and it’s only 15 minutes driving from the eruption site.

Price – 2000 ISK pp

🏨 HOTELS

Northern Light Inn – This cute cottage style hotel is located in Grindavik and only 15 minutes away from both the eruption site as the Blue Lagoon.
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel – This stunning and originally decorated hotel is located right in the heart of Reykjavik and right next to its main shopping street.
Hotel Borg by Keahotels – This hotel screams lavish luxury but is also understated with it’s black, white and grey design. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want a more luxurious start or end of your trip.

DAY 2 – Whale Watching & Driving to the Icelandic Highlands

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 4U35

Day 2 of this Iceland Summer road trip is another one filled with epic adventures! First mission of the day is to drive towards Reykjavik and get some breakfast at Braud.

STOP 1 – WHALE WATCHING IN REYKJAVIK

Afterwards it’s time to head down to the harbor to Elding Whale Watching from where our tour will start! The tour takes 3 hours in total and within that time you can spot dolphins, different whale species and puffins! It took around 2 hours before we spotted our first whale but in the end we even saw one jumping up right next to our boat! Unfortunately I was 1 second too slow to capture this moment but the experience in itself was unforgettable.

There are several ways to spot whales from Reykjavik and I’ve listed my favorite ones below:

STOP 2 – HAIFOSS

Haifoss is with its 122 meters one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland and it’s located close to the Hekla volcano, at the very edge of the Highlands.

To get there you don’t have to drive on an official F-road but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be extremely careful if you’re not driving a 4×4. The gravel road leading up to the parking lot is very bumpy and your rental car is never insured against damage underneath the car. From the parking lot it’s only 5 minutes walking to reach one of the best viewpoints.

Haifoss is one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. And right next to it you’ll find another waterfall that only adds to the beauty of this canyon.

It’s often overlooked by tourists cause it’s a little more out of the way. When we were there, there were only a handful of other people.

💡 TIP – You can also hike down into the canyon which I highly recommend. It will only add 1 hour to your total visiting time but you can actually get very close to Haifoss.

The 21 Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Iceland By Region

STOP 3 – SIGÖLDUGLJUFUR

Sigöldugljufur is one of those incredible hidden gems in Iceland that actually looks even better in real life! Located in the heart of the Highlands this canyon is filled with some of the bluest water I have ever seen and has waterfalls as far as the eye can see.

You’ll first take the F26 and then the F208. Both are unpaved gravel roads but the part right before you arrive at Sigöldugljufur is extremely bumpy. So be cautious when driving here.

STOP 4 – LJÓTIPOLLUR

Ljótipollur is an explosion crater and crater lake in the south Highlands. Its name means ‘Ugly Puddle’, despite the fact that it’s an incredible beautiful site. It is part of the Veiðavötn volcanic area.

STOP 5 – LANDMANNALAUGAR

We won’t be exploring Landmannalaugar yet this evening but we will spend the night here and prepare for an amazing hike tomorrow morning! To reach the Landmannalaugar camp site you’ll have to ford two small rivers but they’re not that deep and it goes pretty smooth. But this is one of the reasons why you need a 4×4 when driving in the Icelandic Highlands.

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re doing a self-drive tour of Iceland it’s best to stay at the official Landmannalaugar campsite. It’s by far one of the most scenic campsites in entire Iceland and it’s also the starting point for all of the nearby hiking trails, including the Mount Blahnukur Hiking Trail.

Price – 2000 ISK pp

The Iceland Touring Association (FÍ in Icelandic) offers visitors a hut for those planning to stay comfortably in Landmannalaugar. This hut has a total capacity to fit up to 78 people on a two-story cozy building. Don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag (and extra bedding if needed) as only a standard mattress will be provided at the hut.

Due to the increasingly high number of tourists each year, booking a spot in the mountain hut in advance has become mandatory. You can find more information on all of the available mountain huts and their capacity here.

DAY 3 – Rainbow Mountains & Waterfalls

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 3U50

Time to rise and shine early because today is a very busy day! From going on an incredible hike to road tripping passed several of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland! This day is filled with fun adventures!

STOP 1 – HIKE MOUNT BLAHNUKUR

Landmannalaugar is without a doubt one of the most beautiful regions in entire Iceland. It’s known for its rhyolite and rainbow colored mountains and as the starting point for the world famous Laugavegur Trail. The latter is a 4 day hike that will take you through the Highlands of Iceland and that ends at Thorsmork.

The colorful region can be found nestled beside the raven-black Laugahraun lava field, a sweeping expanse of dried magma which originally formed in an eruption in 1477. Landmannalaugar is especially known for its natural geothermal hot springs, hence its name the People’s Pools, and surrounding landscape.

The start of the hike is pretty straight forward and begins from the campground. All you have to do is follow the yellow arrows. You’ll soon end up in front of a black mountain, this is mount Blahnukur. The trail leading up to the top is rather steep but I promise you that the climb is so damn worth it!

The total hiking distance is 6.1km and will grant you a 360° view over this amazing area!

STOP 2 – VIK

Time to drive out of the Highlands again and continue this Iceland Summer road trip along the Icelandic ring road. The best road to take to get out of the Highlands from Landmannalaugar is F208. Vik is a small town on the South Coast of Iceland and the best view can be found high above it’s pretty red church.

STOP 3 – REYNISFJARA

Reynisfjara is a beautiful coastline made up completely of black sand, black pebbles, sea carvings and basalt columns. It’s the perfect place to take some cool photos but when you do please be mindful of the waves. These are sneaker waves and every year people die because they get caught and get pulled to the sea to drown.

So whatever you do, don’t go swimming or get even too close to these crazy waves.

💡 TIP – Watch your car doors when getting out of the car cause this. isone of the windiest places in entire Iceland!

STOP 4 – KVERNUFOSS

This is one of those beautiful hidden gems in Iceland and one that you can easily get to with the right directions. Drive to the Skogar Museum where you can leave your car on the parking lot. On the right side of the museum you’ll see a fence and a little further there’s an iron ladder which you may use to go over it. All you have to do now is follow the trail that leads you into the canyon.

When we went we were the only ones there and it was such a refreshing experience compared to the crowds at both Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Kvernufoss is also a waterfall where you can walk behind so better keep that rain coat on if you’re planning on doing so.

STOP 5 – SKOGAFOSS

Skógafoss is one of the widest waterfalls in Iceland and on a sunny day you can almost always see a single or double rainbow between 10am and 12pm. By the time you’ll get here it will already be early evening which means the big crowds have already left!

Make sure to also climb up the stairs next to Skogafoss to get an aerial view and close up view over this stunning waterfall.

STOP 6 – SELJALANDSFOSS

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most touristic and most visited places in Iceland but it’s a must visit if this is your first time visiting Iceland!

It’s right of the ring road and the parking lot is right in front of it so you pretty much can’t miss it. There’s also a camping site located just a little further down the road.

The good thing about this itinerary is that this is our last stop of the day and when we arrived around 8pm there was almost nobody else there.

WHERE TO STAY

🏕 CAMPING

There are several options to spend the night with your camper. You can stay at the campsite right next to Seljalandsfoss. Or you can already start driving back a little and spend the night at the campsite in front of Skogafoss. You can even drive all the way back to Vik if you’re up for it. The closer you get the Vik, the less long you’ll have to drive tomorrow morning to reach our next stop on this Iceland Summer road trip itinerary.

Price – 1600 ISK pp

💡 TIP – If you have an extra day and you enjoy hiking I highly recommend you to do the Skógá Trail. I had it marked for our own itinerary but in the end we didn’t have the time for it. This hike starts at the top of the Skogafoss waterfall and will lead you passed 28 more waterfalls!

🏨 HOTELS

The Garage – Wake up surrounded by. themost beautiful scenery of mountains and waterfalls. The Garage Apartments are located right between Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss and the perfect place to spend the night.
Hotel Kria – This modern hotel in Vik opened in 2018 and is a real treat thanks to its stunning location and its finger licking breakfast which is included in the price.
Vik Cottages – If you’re looking for a cute and more quaint stay then you’ll love this place. The cottages provide a very secluded and private feel with remarkable mountain views. You also have access to the main property for breakfast and dining at the on-site restaurant.

DAY 4 – Explore Thakgil & National Parks

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 4 hours

Today we’ll be exploring a true hidden gem in Iceland! And to do so it’s time to lace up those hiking boots again and if you have them bring your trekking poles as well. You may thank me later!

STOP 1 – THAKGIL

Thakgil, also known in Icelandic as Þakgil, is a one of a kind place in the south of Iceland. Arriving here felt like a breath of fresh air after facing all of the crowded and more touristic places on the Ring Road close by.

Typical for Thakgil are the steep, mossy walls and the many canyons. And compared to the immensely popular Fjadragljufur canyon you can actually roam around freely here.

There are several beautiful hiking trails to be discovered in Thakgil. We completed one of them and it was amazing!

The Remundargil Loop is a 12.5km hiking trail that will take you through a canyon, alongside a ravine, in front of a waterfall and next to a glacier! It’s a pretty strenuous hike but totally worth the effort!

📖 The Best Thakgil Hiking Trail – Discover The Remundargil Canyon And Thakgil Campsite

STOP 2 – SVINAFELLSJOKUL GLACIER

This beautiful glacier is an absolute must visit! A short hiking trail will lead you straight towards it and in some parts you are standing right in front of it. Its icy blue color provides a beautiful contrast but when we were there a lot of the ice was also covered in black dust.

Apparently this happens when it hasn’t rained in a long time which definitely was the case this past Summer in Iceland. Nevertheless it’s a fun and easy place to explore!

STOP 3 – SVARTIFOSS

Svartifoss is one of those iconic waterfalls in Iceland that you simply have to see to believe. It’s surrounded by rows and rows of basalt columns and a true sight to behold!

When we visited Svartifoss we actually stayed at the nearby campsite Skaftafell. From here the hiking trail starts towards Svartifoss and on your way there you’ll encounter two other waterfalls as well. The hike is 1.5km and goes up at a steady incline. At times it can. get a little steep but for most parts the ground is covered with hardened plastic to prevent you from slipping too much.

WHERE TO STAY

🏕 CAMPING

The last stop today is located right next to the Skaftaffel campground. It’s the ideal place to park your camper and spend the night!

Price – 1500 ISK pp

🏨 HOTELS

Klettasel – This is the perfect place if you’re in need of some privacy. This modern villa is beautifully located and has 3 bedrooms so perfect if you’re traveling with a bigger family or a group of friends!
Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon – This modern hotel is the perfect luxury escape and all of the suites are equipped with large panoramic windows.

DAY 5 – A Hidden Canyon, Ice & The Misty Mountain

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 5U30

Today will be a lot of driving but every single location that you’ll visit today is epic as hell so it’s totally worth it. Then again, I believe everything in Iceland is totally worth it! Let’s start by going on a very secret hike to a very secret canyon!

STOP 1 – MULAGLJUFUR CANYON

There are some places in Iceland that seem too good to be true and the Múlagljúfur Canyon definitely is one of these. Imagine green mossy cliffs, birds flying through the mist, a canyon so deep that it could perfectly serve as a dragons lair and a waterfall coming straight out of a mountain. It’s not hard to see why this is one of the best day hikes in Iceland!

In contrary to many other places in the south of Iceland you won’t find a single sign leading you towards the Múlagljúfur Trail. All that’s there is a small gravel road to the left that will lead you to a small parking space. The turn off is only 5 minutes away from Fjallsarlon Glarcier Lagoon and if you have Google Maps mark this location. This is where you’ll find the gravel road that will lead ytou from the Ring Road to the start of the Múlagljúfur Hiking Trail.

The total hiking distance is 7.6km and it will take an average of 2 hours to complete the entire trail. But if you’re like me make it 3 hours cause I literally stopped every 5 minutes to take photos and ended up admiring the scenery for more than an hour.

📖 Hiking to Múlagljúfur Canyon – A Hidden Gem in Southern Iceland

STOP 2 – FJALLSARLON

This magnificent glacier is now one of my all time favorite places in entire Iceland!

Imagine this: you drive up to the parking lot to see it empty. You start a small hike up the hill and then you see it. A glacier so beautiful it actually brought tears to my eyes! I can’t emphasize enough on how magical this place actually is. It’s what I call: Iceland at it’s very best.

STOP 3 – GLACIER LAGOON

Jökulsárlón, also known as Glacier Lagoon is located close to Fjallsárlón but definitely worth a visit. It’s one of the top attractions in Southern Iceland and one of the most beautiful stops on this 12 day road trip around Iceland. At Jökulsárlón you can walk around the lagoon as far as you like, take a boat tour, grab a bite to eat, or use the restrooms.

STOP 4 – DIAMOND BEACH

You can find Diamond Beach right next to Jökulsárlón and this is where the ice washes up to the coastline. The icebergs against the black sand make for the perfect contrast and photograph opportunity. The amount of ice you find on this beach depends on how much ice has fallen off the glacier recently, the current tide cycle, etc. Because of this, some people will find a beach completely covered in ice, while others might find almost no ice at all.

STOP 5 – VESTRAHORN

Our final stop of the day before we head to our next camp site is Vestrahorn, also known as Stokksnes. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset but you do have to be a bit lucky with the weather. Vestrahorn loves to cover itself in the clouds but it’s always worth it top wait some time cause in Iceland the weather can clear up very fast. The entrance fee is 800 ISK but it’s well worth it! You’ll get to see one of the most iconic mountains in entire Iceland and you get to visit a viking village, which was formerly used as a film set.

💡 TIP – This area of Iceland is often completely covered in clouds and so far I still haven’t seen the mountain in real life… and I’ve been three times. If you can’t see any mountain peaks at the entrance don’t bother paying 800 ISK cause you’ll end up seeing nothing.

STOP 6 – SEYDISFJORDUR

Seydisfjordur is often called one of the most beautiful towns in entire Iceland. It’s teeny tiny but it is indeed very beautiful and especially known for its rainbow street and light blue church.

💡 TIP – Have dinner at Kaffi Lára El Grillo Bar! Their spare ribs are to die for!

WHERE TO STAY

🏕 CAMPING

The Seydisfjordur Camping Site is your best option here. When we arrived we actually couldn’t really find the entrance of the camp site and being super tired we slept on the parking of the local grocery store :p. Not perfect but it also worked.

Price – 2000 ISK pp

🏨 HOTELS

Hotel Aldan – If you’re looking for a unique stay look no further! At Hotel Aldan you’ll stay in a former bank building and an old post office!
Lónsleira Apartments – These cute apartments are located in the centre of Seydisfjordur and even come with an outside barbecue!

DAY 6 – Exploring the East Fjords & The Biggest Waterfall in Europe

TOTAL DRIVING TIME – 6U30

STOP 1 – KLIFBREKKUFOSS

Klifbrekkufoss was by far the biggest surprise to us! Tucked away in one of the Eastern fjords this beautiful waterfall completely blew us away.

The best part is that it’s actually super easy to reach! Simply drive down the road and park your car in the designated parking space. One thing you do have to keep in mind is that the top of the fjord can be extremely clouded and you’ll be driving through thick fog. So take it slow and be careful on your way down.

Klifbrekkufoss is absolutely stunning! It’s not necessarily the biggest waterfall in Iceland but all of the different layers make it look like something out of a fairytale.

STOP 2 – HENGIFOSS

When I first saw a photograph of Hengifoss I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like something from another planet. The waterfall cuts right through the mountain which is why you can clearly see the vibrant colors of all the different earth layers.

There’s a big parking lot at the bottom and a big part of the hiking trail is covered with hardened plastic. From the parking lot it’s a 2.5km hike and for your visit you have to calculate in 2 hours. On your way to Hengifoss you’ll first encounter another beautiful waterfall called Litlanesfoss.

STOP 3 – STUDLAGIL

The Studlagil canyon is one of Iceland’s latest discoveries cause a few years ago you couldn’t even see this canyon.

Unfortunately it’s also becoming more and more popular every single year! There are two parking lots but it’s only from the one on the East Side that you can access the canyon itself.

The other parking lot on the West Side will grant you access to a viewing platform.

From the East side parking lot, which is right next to a waterfall, it only takes the 40 minutes to reach the actual canyon!

STOP 4 – DETTIFOSS

Dettifoss certainly is impressive with it’s 100 meters width and it has the greatest volume of any waterfall in Europe (500 cubic meters of water pour down every second). Therefore you can call it the most powerful waterfall in Europe! It’s located about half an hour driving from the ring road and a little before lake Myvatn.

You can actually visit Dettifoss from both sides! The Western parking lot is the most famous one and will grant you the view over this powerful waterfall that you can see below. From the East side the hike towards the waterfall is a little more adventurous but you can get a lot closer to it.

STOP 5 – SELFOSS

Selfoss is located in the North of Iceland and is actually within walking distance from Dettifoss.

ust like with Dettifoss you can visit Selfoss from both sides. So far I’ve only visited the West side but I think the East side might be even a little more spectacular. After visiting Dettifoss simply follow the hiking trail back and instead. ofgoing to the parking lot keep on following. theriver until you reach Selfoss.

STOP 6 – LAKE MYVATN

The stunning lake Myvatn is a beautiful sight to behold and definitely worth a closer lake. However if you want to go swimming/soaking in hot water then this lake isn’t the option for you. Then you have to go to the Myvatn Nature Baths. The spa is open all year round and it costs 5700 ISK to enter.

💡 TIP – Have dinner at Gamli Bærinn and order their signature burger! You won’t regret it!

WHERE TO STAY

🏕 CAMPING

You can stay at Camping Myvatn right next to the lake but I advise you to go a little higher up the hill and stay at Camping Hlid. The Northern part of Iceland goes hand in hand with an enormous amount of small flies in the Summer months.

It’s something I hadn’t experienced before cause the last time that I was here was in the Winter. Right next to. the lake chances are very high that you’ll be eaten alive by these small flies.

🏨 HOTELS

Icelandair Hotel Myvatn – This hotel is located right next to lake Myvatn and is the perfect place to add a touch of luxury to your trip! Make sure to have a drink in their cocktail bar.
Hotel Laxa – This modern hotel offers both standard rooms and lake view rooms. With comfortable minimalistic rooms and delicious breakfast included, Hotel Laxa is sure to meet your needs for a satisfying stay in the Myvatn area.

DAY 7 – The Best Waterfalls & Kerlingarfjöll

TOTAL DRIVE TIME – 8U15

I know what you’re thinking… Are you freaking kidding me with that driving time???!! I know, it’s a little extreme for one day and if you’re really not up for it you can skip the stop at the Kolugljufur Canyon and save yourself 2 hours of driving.

STOP 1 – GODAFOSS

Welcome to Godafoss, otherwise known as the waterfall of the Gods. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why! Godafoss is the waterfall that keeps on giving due to its grandeur.

Godafoss can also be visited from both sides which I highly recommend doing. And unlike with Dettifoss and Selfoss you don’t have to drive 1 hour to reach the other side. You can just cross a pedestrian bridge and you’re there! On the left side you can also hike down which you should definitely do as well!

STOP 2 – ALDEYJARFOSS

Aldeyjarfoss is located along F26, one of the most dangerous F-roads in entire Iceland. But not. to worry, the part leading towards this particular waterfall is still okay and doesn’t contain any river crossings. It is however very rocky and bumpy and may only be reached with a 4×4. There’s a small parking lot and from there you simply hike down to the waterfall.

The waterfall is surrounded by the black columns look absolutely insane and if you’re very lucky you’ll even see a small pool at the bottom. When I was there it had been too dry the last couple of weeks but otherwise it’s definitely worth checking out.

STOP 3 – KOLUGLJUFUR

This gorgeous canyon is hidden away from the ring road and doesn’t even require a 4×4 to get to. On the other side you’ll see a 2 drop waterfall that especially during sunrise creates the most magical view.

Kolugljúfur is only 20 minutes driving from the ring road and there’s a parking lot on both sides which are connected by a small bridge that you can drive over.

STOP 4 – KERLINGARFJOLL

Kerlingarfjöll is one of the most precious natural attractions in Iceland and is located in the central Highlands. It’s part of an active volcanic system and is home to one of Iceland’s most impressive geothermal areas.

The hills are a brown, nearly orange color and also made out of rhyolite, the same substance as the mountains in Landmannalaugar. It’s this rhyolite that gives them this rusty look and in between, the hills are sprinkled with vivid colors of blue, green, red and yellow. Then add the massive amount of steam coming straight from the ground and the bubbling hot springs spread throughout the area and you know you’ll be in for a treat.

Kerlingarfjöll is accessible via road F35, also called the Kjölur Route or Kjalvegur, from both North and South Iceland. The F35 is one of the best maintained F-roads on the entire island and from where you should drive inland totally depends on your itinerary.

There’s not a single river crossing along the entire F35 and only the last part that leads to the Kerinlingarfjöll Mountain Resort and the Hveradalir Parking is very bumpy and rocky.

📖 How To Visit Kerlingarfjöll And The Hveradalir Geothermal Area In One Day

WHERE TO STAY

The most convenient place to stay for your visit to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area is the Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Resort.

At Kerlingarfjoll they have a new building with 20 double rooms with made up beds and each room has a private WC and shower. Then there are 10 smaller chalets, each with one to four rooms, which they rent out for made up beds accommodation only.

The campsite is large, nesting on natural grounds at the banks of the Ásgarðsá river. Guests staying in the sleeping bag facilities or the camp site have access to a kitchen facilities. The camping ground is for tents and Caravans.

You’ll have access to WC and cold water. You don’t have to reserve or book at the campsite in advance. Simply show up, have a good time and enjoy the scenery in Kerlingarfjoll.

If you don’t wish to stay here but you want to be in close proximity to the site you can choose one of these hotels in the south of Iceland below.

DAY 8 – Golden Circle

TOTAL DRIVE TIME – 4u20

This last day we’ll slowly make our way back to the Reykjanes peninsula but first it’s time to visit the most beautiful places on the Golden Circle.

STOP 1 – GULLFOSS

Gullfoss is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland but also one of the most touristic ones. It’s the main stop on the Golden Circle and over the years it’s only grown in popularity.

The trail towards the waterfall is short and fenced off. If you park at the visitors centre you’ll also have to walk down a couple flights of stairs. You can walk all the way up to the waterfall and at the end of the trail you can get a little closer. It’s not allowed to go on the grass.

STOP 2 – STROKKUR

Strokkur is the biggest geyser in Iceland and it shoots up hot water every couple of minutes. It’s one of the top attractions on the Golden Circle so don’t expect to be here alone. It’s one of the most touristic places in entire Iceland and there’s even a big shop located right next to it. However it remains a spectacular site to see.

If you have time to spare, walk the surrounding landscape draped in steam with holes of boiling water rumbling at every turn. Be careful as you explore, as the water is clearly a dangerous temperature and should be left to admire from an appropriate distance.

Close by you’ll find another geyser named Geysir. However, unlike its close neighbor Strokkur, Geysir has remained inactive.

STOP 3 – BRUARFOSS

This cute little waterfall might not be the biggest one out there in size but it sure makes up for it in beauty. The more unknown Brúarfoss is actually also located on the infamous Golden Circle but because it takes 1 hour of hiking to reach it not a lot of people visit it. So if you want to go a little bit off the beaten path in Iceland I highly recommend adding a visit to Brúarofss to your list!

All you have to do is drive to the official parking lot and start following the trail along the river. There’s room for a little over 25 cars so try to arrive a little earlier in the day. The hike from the parking lot to Brúarfoss is 3.5km one way and is mostly on flat terrain. It’s an easy hike that you can also enjoy if you’re traveling with younger children.

On the way to Brúarfoss you’ll come across two other waterfalls and the water is as blue in real life as in the photograph below. There’s a bridge that serves as a viewing platform and across the river you can even hike down and get a little closer to the waterfall.

STOP 4 – KERID CRATER

Kerid crater lake is a 3,000 year old volcanic crater lake in South Iceland on the Golden Circle route. The lake itself is relatively shallow, between 7 and 14 meters depending on rainfall and other factors. The water is a unique and strikingly vivid aquamarine shade of blue.

Take an easy hike around Kerid crater and enjoy the spectacular view!

STOP 5 – THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Thingvellir National Park is our last stop on the Golden Circle and it’s an incredible place to visit if it’s your first time in Iceland. You can park your car at the Öxarárfoss parking lot and start walking from there. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marks the location of Iceland’s first parliament. But what makes this place truly unique is it’s s geography.

Thingvellir National Park is the site of a great rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The plates are pulled ever so slightly apart more and more each year creating the Silfra fissure, an area perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.

💡 FUN FACT – Thingvellir National Park served as the backdrop for one of the more famous scenes in Game of Thrones where Littlefinger escorts Sansa to the Vale.

WHERE TO STAY

Depending on what time your flight is the next day you’ll either drop off the camper this evening or the next day.

If you’re only flying back in the evening you can even go and explore a little more the next morning!

🏨 HOTELS

Northern Light Inn – This cute cottage style hotel is located in Grindavik and only 15 minutes away from both the eruption site as the Blue Lagoon.
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel – This stunning and originally decorated hotel is located right in the heart of Reykjavik and right next to its main shopping street.
Hotel Borg by Keahotels – This hotel screams lavish luxury but is also understated with it’s black, white and grey design. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want a more luxurious start or end of your trip.

DAY 9 – Fly Home

Depending on the time of your flight you can add a visit to the Sky Lagoon on your last day in the morning since they also have storage space for suitcases. However if you’re flying back to Belgium your flight will be at 7am in the morning.

🛣Iceland Road Trip Tips

Here you can find some useful tips that will ensure you have the best time on your road trip in Iceland.

Always have snacks on hand – Often there isn’t a place to eat in plane sight, especially when you’re driving through the more rural parts of Iceland. Make sure you don’t go hungry during one of your hikes. I would even go as far that you buy your snacks at home and put them in your suitcase to save some money at the grocery store.
Mind your car doors when you open them – The wind in Iceland can be brutal at times and it wouldn’t be the first time a car door flies off due to strong wind gusts. The image below show which way is best to park in case of strong winds.

Bring your camera – I am not exaggerating when I say that there’s a beautiful photo opportunity every 100 meter in Iceland. Make sure to bring your camera to capture this one of a lifetime trip! If you need some inspiration you can read exactly what’s in my camera bag.
Bring dryer sheets – After sleeping and spending a lot of time in a camper van it can start to smell after a while which is completely normal. If you put a dryer sheet between the sofa it will always smell like fresh laundry.

💳 Currency & ATM’s in Iceland

The official currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK) and €1 equals ISK147. It’s not necessary to take out much cash upon your arrival cause you can pay nearly everywhere with your credit card of debit card.

📚 More Iceland Blog Posts

I have visited the land of ice and fire 3 times in 3 years and I loved adventuring and driving around the country. On my blog you can find a ton of free resources to help you plan the perfect trip to this beautiful country.

Below are some of my favorite articles and there’s a lot more to come so keep an eye on this space!

The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland – A list of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland that I visited myself, divided by region.
Hidden Gems in Iceland – Of the beaten path places that haven’t been discovered by mass tourism.
Fagradalsfjall Hiking Trail – How To Visit The Active Volcano in Grindavik Iceland
1 Day in Landmannalaugar – The Mount Blahnukur Trail
Discover Thakgil – A hidden gem in southern Iceland
Mulagljufur Canyon – Discover a true hidden gem in South Iceland
7 Best Places To See in The Highlands in Iceland
Kerlingarfjöll Hiking Trail – How To See The Hveradalir Geothermal Area in a couple of hours.

📸 My Iceland Camera Gear

Canon EOS 6D Mark II – My go to camera body for the past 3 years
Main Lens – Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II
Zoom Lens – Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6
Wide Angle Lens – Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III
Tripod – Manfrotto Tripod
Drone – DJI Mavic Mini 2 Fly More Combo

You can find my complete list of photography gear here

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