Around Iceland: Drive & Hike

Arriving at Keflavik International Airport, you are immediately transported to other-worldly landscapes, as you travel by road through craters and lava fields to reach your hotel in downtown Reykjavik.

The vibrant, quirky city of Reykjavik is wonderfully cosmopolitan and easily explored on foot. Browse the many outdoor and handicraft shops and enjoy a delicious meal from one of the many fantastic seafood restaurants—we recommend the Arctic Char in particular!

Head straight out into the countryside towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park this morning. Enjoy a walk here through the great rifts of the earths’ crust or if you fancy it you can even try snorkelling between them—an amazing experience!

Head north to Hvalfjordur, ‘Whale Fjord’ where you will find the highest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur Falls. Visit the Reykholt valley, once one of the most important intellectual centres of Iceland, where a small museum is dedicated to the 13th century Icelandic wrtier Snorri Sturluson.  

Walk: 3hrs

Total Drive: Approx 160km, 3.5 hours

The western peninsula of Snaefellsnes with its rugged coastline, golden beaches, and ice-capped peak of Snaefellsnjokull is often referred to as ‘Iceland in miniature’ and was said to have inspired Jules Verne to write ‘A Journey to the Centre of the Earth.’Enjoy a walk today along the volcanic coastline of Arnarstapi with its basalt arches, caves and colonies of kittiwakes and guillemots.

Walk: 3hrs

Total Drive: Approx 121km, 2 Hours

Continue around the peninsula, hopefully if the weather is good with magnificent views of the glacier and volcano Snaefellsjokull, part of the Snaefellsjokulll National Park. As well as the volcano the park features two massive lava formations Londranger, the ‘singing cave’ of Songhellir and the hidden waterfall of Raudfeldargja. Various walking trails are available in the park to choose from. Continue past the unique steeple-shaped mountain of Kirkjufell to the fishing village of Grundarfjordur.

Walk: Up to 3hrs

Total Drive: Approx 60km, 1-2 Hours

A long drive today links you to the north of the island via the Vatnsnes Peninsula, a wild and startlingly beautiful place home to one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. Watch both harbour seals and grey seals in their natural habitat. Visit the Icelandic Seal Centre in Hvammstangi to get information on how best to see them before continuing to Hvitserkur, a prime viewing point!

Total Drive: Approx 315km, 4-5 hours

Less than 50km from the Arctic Circle, lies the beautiful northern peninsula of Trollaskagi—Troll Peninsula—made from 10-12 million year old basalt strata. Visit Siglufjordur, a charming fishing village located at the foot of towering mountains and ‘herring capital of Iceland’, before enjoying a lovely little walk to a beautiful mountain lake.

Walk: 2hrs

Total Drive: Approx 185km, 3.5 hours

Leaving Akureyri, head towards Godafoss Waterfall, a striking horseshoe shaped waterfall. An alternative would be to take a de-tour to the town of Husavik, Europe’s whale-watching capital for an optional whale-watching tour. (bookable locally).

Continue east to Lake Myvatn, which offers plentiful birdlife, bubbling mud pots, and the Nature Baths (a quieter version of the famous Blue Lagoon) where you can soak in the geothermal waters.

Walk: Up to 3hrs

Total Drive: Approx 240km, 2-3 Hours (via Husavik) or 100km, 1-2 Hours (via Godafoss

Head towards the East Fjords today with a short stop to do a bracing circular linking the powerful waterfalls of Selfoss and Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall.

Continue inland and south, through deserts of ash via the highest farm in Iceland to the pretty East Fjords village of Seydisfjordur. With its pretty church and colourful Scandinavian houses, this is a delightful place to put your feet up and relax for a couple of days!

Walk: 2 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 195km, 2-3 Hours

A day at leisure to explore the East Fjords. We recommend a couple of walks close to Seydisfjordur including a riverside walk with fantastic views or an interesting walk around the nearby Hallormsstadur forest. Another option would be to explore Skaftfell, a wonderful visual arts centre, or one of the many other artists studios, workshops and boutiques. Kayak tours are also a popular choice (book in advance, payable locally).

From Seydisfjordur drive deep into the East Fjords, stopping at Lagarfjlot lake to enjoy a walk to the waterfalls Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss, the third tallest in Iceland, which falls into a dramatic gorge.

Continue to the south coast and overnight in the village of Hofn, on the edge of Vatnajokull glacier.

Walk: 2 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 250km, 3-4 Hours

Head west from Höfn to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon—one of Iceland’s most photographed places! The incredible icebergs floating in the water, with shimmering hues of blue make it easy to see why many Hollywood directors use this as a filming location—you may recognise scenes from James Bond Die Another Day, and Tomb Raider!  

Walk: 2-4 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 135km, 2 Hours

Part of the Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell sits on the edge of the immense Vatnajokull glacier which covers a massive 8% of Iceland!  

We recommend several walks at Skaftafell—from a short 3 hour walk to Svartifoss Waterfall to longer full day walks which overlook the glacial valley.

Another option would be to do a guided glacier hike (book in advance, optional extra). With crampons on and accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, walk through a wonderland of glacial ice sculptures, ice ridges and deep crevasses.

A spectacular drive through the Eldhaun lava fields takes you to Kirkjubaelarklastur.

Walk: 3-8 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 70km, 1-2 Hours

Visit another two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls today - Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. At Seljalandsfoss take a walk behind the falls to experience the mighty power of nature up close. And walk to the top of Skogafoss falls for a different perspective.

Walk: 1.5-3 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 205km, 3 Hours

Enjoy a walk around Hveragerdi this morning, visiting hot springs, bubbling mud-pots and fumaroles.

Then head west back to Reykjavik via the geothermal area of Geysir, with its great spouts of boiling hot water, and the beautiful two-tiered Gulfoss waterfall.

Drop off your rental car at the depot in Reykjavik.

Walk: 3-4 Hours

Total Drive: Approx 190km, 3 Hours

A transfer (included) will take you back to Keflavik International Airport for your flight home. If you have time, you may prefer to make your own way back to the airport via a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon (additional cost, bookable locally) for a welcome dip in it’s soothing geothermal waters.