Driving the Iceland’s iconic Ring Road in a campervan isn’t just another holiday; it’s an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most dramatic and diverse landscapes, offering the freedom to stop wherever the beauty captures your heart.
Visiting Iceland was a dream of mine for ages. That’s why, in the beginning of June 2023, my partner and I travelled 17,000 kilometres from Australia to make this dream a reality.
Stepping onto the land I had previously known only from the screen of my favourite sci-fi movies felt surreal!
In this article, I will take you through my entire trip and provide a thorough 10-day itinerary that highlights all the important stops along Route 1.
Plus, I’ll share my favourite campsites and suggest some amazing day hikes you can do along the way.
I hope this guide will cut down on your research time and help you to make the most of your own Icelandic adventure. Let’s get right to it!
About This Ring Road Itinerary
If you’re planning to rent a standard campervan, this itinerary is perfect as it avoids driving along any F-Roads and is suitable for non-4WD vehicles.
Iceland’s Ring Road is 1,322 km long, but with at least 10 days, you can add destinations like the Golden Circle, Reykjanes Peninsula, Snaefellsnes Peninsula or Húsavík to your itinerary, turning it into a 2,000 km loop.
Looking back on our trip, I can confidently say that 10 days gave us plenty of time to explore the main highlights of Iceland’s Ring Road.
However, as a fan of day hikes and more in-depth exploration beyond the usual tourist spots, if I had a chance to do it again, I would have added a few extra days to the itinerary.
Iceland Ring Road Map
Let’s check out the map with every stop along the Iceland Ring Road that will be covered in this article.
I decided that we will drive the Route 1 in a counter-clockwise direction, starting at Keflavik airport where we picked up our van, and finishing in Reykjavik.
Iceland: Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
People often debate whether to drive the Ring Road clockwise or counter-clockwise. There’s no right answer to that question, as both directions have their advantages.
If you’re traveling with a campervan and haven’t made any pre-bookings in advance, consider making this decision based on the weather forecast upon your arrival to Iceland.
It’s common for weather conditions to differ between the south and north of the island.
Another essential thing to do upon arriving in Iceland is to check the current road conditions, including which roads are open and closed. You can find this information on this website.
Iceland Ring Road Tour Highlights
You can treat this 10-Day Ring Road itinerary as a collection of ideas for your trip, because the time you spend in each location depends on your personal preferences, current weather conditions, and how much driving you’re comfortable with each day.
DAY 1: Reykjanes Peninsula & Blue Lagoon
DAY 2: Golden Circle
DAY 3: Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss
DAY 4: Reynisfjara & Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
DAY 5: Vatnajökull, Jokulsarlon & Vestrahorn
DAY 6: East Iceland
DAY 7: North East Iceland
DAY 8: Lake Myvatn & North West Iceland
DAY 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
DAY 10: Glymur Waterfall & Reykjavik
Another thing to keep in mind is that while I’ve omitted certain locations from this list, I’ll be giving you an additional list of places to consider adding to your itinerary at the end of the article.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that this itinerary is best suited for the warmer part of the holiday season when the days are longer, providing you with around 20 hours of daylight.
With this extended daylight, you’ll have the flexibility to adjust your traveling pace according to your needs.
Alright, without further ado, let’s dive into the day-by-day highlights of our trip around this mystical Viking island, highlighting some of the hidden gems that you can discover.
DAY 1: Reykjanes Peninsula & Blue Lagoon
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Keflavik Airport
✅ Campervan pickup
✅ Bridge Between Continents
✅ Gunnuhver Hot Springs (West Parking)
✅ Reykjanes Lighthouse
✅ Valahnúkamöl
✅ Blue Lagoon
😴 Strandakirkja Camping
We arrived in Iceland around midday, so our first task was to pick up the campervan from one of the rental companies near Keflavik airport.
Once we had the van, we headed to the nearest Bonus supermarket to buy groceries for the next couple of days.
1. Bridge Between Continents (Midlina)
With all those least exciting tasks out of the way, we finally set off for our first stop at the Bridge Between Continents.
This spot is a great starting point for learning about Iceland’s geology. The Bridge between Continents is a 15-meter (50 ft) footbridge that goes across a rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
The Earth’s forces cause these major tectonic plates to drift apart by a few centimeters each year. Surrounding the Bridge are vast lava fields of the Reykjanes.
2. Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Our second quick stop was Gunnuhver, one of Iceland’s most active geothermal areas. Here, geothermal activity leads to intense steam emissions and bubbling mud pots.
A short walk from the car park brings you to a viewing platform, where you can observe Gunnuhver’s most prominent feature: its powerful steam vents.
These vents, emitting columns of steam into the air, are created by water interacting with the hot rock below the Earth’s surface.
Despite the strong smell of rotten eggs, Gunnuhver is definitely worth a short visit.
3. Reykjanes Lighthouse & Valahnúkamöl
A short drive from Gunnuhver takes you to Reykjanestá, also referred to as Valahnúkamöl, the most south-western tip of the Reykjanes peninsula.
From the last car park, you’ll have a great view of the Reykjanes Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, built in 1878. Although it was damaged beyond repair just 8 years later by a major earthquake, a new building was erected in 1907–1908.
While you can definitely walk to the lighthouse, but we didn’t have enough time and opted to explore the stunning coastline and massive cliffs of Valahnúkamöl, which are the main highlight of this geologically active area on the mid-Atlantic ridge.
Looking out from here, you can see a small island in the ocean named Eldey Island. This island emerged from underwater eruptions, and the area is considered a separate volcanic system that is relatively active.
The coastline in Reykjanesta, with its unique rock formations rising from the ocean and towering cliffs, is a paradise for bird photographers.
You could spend a lot of time here walking along the coastline and taking photos of seabirds like fulmars, kittiwakes, and gannets.
4. Blue Lagoon
Next on our itinerary was the Blue Lagoon, a place that likely needs no introduction as one of Iceland’s top attractions.
We booked our session for 8pm, following online tips that the best times to visit are either very early or at the end of the day.
While it was still fairly crowded, this didn’t affect our experience. It was a perfect spot to celebrate our first day in Iceland with a bar-side drink.
An important note is that the road from Reykjanestá to the Blue Lagoon, through Grindavik, was open during our visit to Iceland in 2023, making the drive to the Blue Lagoon very quick.
Due to repeated volcanic eruptions near the town of Grindavik, this road is closed in 2024. Be sure to check for road closures on Reykjanes Peninsula before you set out.
5. Strandakirkja Camping
Feeling sparkling clean and relaxed after a few hours in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon, we made our way to Strandakirkja Camping.
It’s a free camping spot with very basic facilities and a hot dog booth, but it was all we needed for our first day, and it was just a short drive from the Lagoon.
Right next to the campsite stands the picturesque, Lutheran Strandakirkja Church, known as one of the most affluent churches in Iceland, attributed to the abundance of gifts it receives globally.
Legend has it that it possesses a unique ability to bring success and good luck.
DAY 2: Golden Circle
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park
✅ Brúarfoss Waterfall
✅ Gullfoss Waterfall
✅ Geysir Hot Springs
😴 Camping Geysir
We kicked off the second day of our trip with a good long sleep and a leisurely breakfast, taking time to get used to our campervan and its features.
We then set out on a one-hour drive to Thingvellir National Park, our first stop for exploring the highlights of the Golden Circle
1. Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir holds great historical and geological significance for Icelanders. It became Iceland’s first national park in 1928 and is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Knowing Iceland is divided by the Mid-Atlantic Rift gives insight into why Thingvellir holds such significance.
The magnificent scenery of Þingvellir is shaped by its distinct geographical position within a rift valley, positioned between the North American and Eurasian continental plates.
There are plenty of walks of different lengths in the area, with several car parks available.
We opted for a 5km loop trail, beginning from the P2 carpark and heading towards the Tectonic Plate Boundary, with a stop at the Oxarfoss waterfall.
While we had a delightful time taking a leisurely walk inside the rift valley for a couple of hours, the downside was the large crowds of tourists.
The presence of multiple guided tours and noisy bus groups disturbed the otherwise serene ambiance of the area.
My advice for those with their own car planning to visit the Golden Circle is to get up much earlier than we did on that day. Thingvellir is likely one of the first stops for group tours.
2. Brúarfoss Waterfall
Brúarfoss was my favourite spot along the Golden Circle route, and there are two ways you can visit this incredible waterfall with its bright blue waters:
- 1.1km walk from Brúarfoss Parking
- Relatively easy, 7km return hike along Brúará Trail from the car park located right behind the bridge along the Laugarvatnsvegur (main road)
We decided on the second option and went for a hike along the Brúará river, where we got to see 2 more smaller waterfalls along the way: Hlauptungufoss and Miðfoss.
It’s a very easy, mostly flat walk with few muddy sections. Although the weather turned cloudy and a bit rainy in the afternoon, the water still looked amazingly blue.
3. Gullfoss Waterfall
With the rain getting heavier after our hike, we decided to skip Geysir and head directly to Gullfoss waterfall. We made dinner in our van and waited for the weather to improve.
After the rain subsided a couple of hours later, we headed out to see Gullfoss, the ‘Golden Waterfall,’ one of the most popular and frequently visited waterfalls in Iceland.
Gullfoss features 2 impressive waterfalls. The first falls from 11 meters and the second one drops from 20 meters, with a total height of 32 meters.
For the best view of the waterfall, I highly recommend heading to the upper viewing platform.
4. Geysir
Our final spot for the day was Geysir, where we decided to stay overnight since it was getting really late.
We parked our van at the beautiful Geysir Campground and went for a walk to the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with its boiling mud pits and erupting geysers.
Exploring the area around midnight with smoke, overcast skies, and the booming sounds of the powerful Strokkur geyser shooting out water and steam every 5 to 10 minutes felt otherworldly and was a fantastic conclusion to our second day in Iceland.
DAY 3: Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Kerið Crater
✅ Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi
✅ Skógafoss & Skógá Trail Hike (Waterfall Way)
😴 Skógafoss Camping
1. Kerid Crater
With the rain causing us to be a bit behind schedule, we started day 3 of our Iceland road trip with a drive to the vibrant Kerið Crater, which is still one of the Golden Circle attractions.
Kerið Crater Lake is a 6,500-year-old volcanic crater lake with depths ranging from 7 to 14 meters, depending on the season and rainfall, and it is known for its uniquely vivid aquamarine-blue water.
We went on a short 30-minute walk around the crater to stretch our legs, then headed towards southern Iceland, making a quick stop at in Selfoss.
2. Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi
Setting off on Route 1, our first stop was Seljalandsfoss, a majestic 60-meter-high waterfall on the Seljalandsá River. It has a footpath behind it, allowing you to fully encircle the waterfall and see it from all angles.
One important thing to note about walking behind Seljalandsfoss is that it really tests how well-prepared you are with waterproof clothes and gear for your trip to Iceland, as it splashes a lot of water!
A short 150-meter walk from the well-known Seljalandsfoss waterfall, hidden within a spectacular canyon, is another gem of this area: Gljúfrabúi, also known as the Canyon Dweller.
Covered by green moss-covered cliffs that almost completely surround it, Gljúfrabúi drops 40 meters into a small pool.
Since you can approach the falling waters of Gljúfrabúi, wearing waterproof boots, pants and a rain jacket is the only way to protect yourself from getting completely soaked.
3. Skógafoss & Skógá Trail Hike
Day 3 of our Ring Road trip concluded with a visit to Skógafoss, our final stop, as we prepared to tackle a 16km return hiking trail that follows the Skógá River.
The impressive Skógafoss Waterfall spans 25 meters in width and drops 60 meters. Getting up close to this majestic cascade, which generates a lot of spray, is an incredible experience!
After we finished exploring the lower part of the falls, we climbed 500 metal steps to the top and started our hike north along the Skógá River.
If I were to give a quick review of this trail, I’d say it was an extraordinary hike. You get to see 26 waterfalls along the way, including the impressive Skálabrekkufoss, located only 2.2 kilometres past the top of Skógafoss.
If you’re short on time and can’t do the whole trail, I highly recommend reaching at least the spectacular viewpoint overlooking the powerful Skálabrekkufoss, the eighth waterfall on this route.
DAY 4: Reynisfjara & Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Kvernufoss
✅ Sólheimajökull Glacier
✅ Dyrhólaey
✅ Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
✅ Vik and Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach
✅ Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
😴 Skaftafell Camping
1. Kvernufoss
Day 4 of our Ring Road trip around Iceland began with an early rise and 15 minutes walk to the less-visited Kvernufoss waterfall, located not far from Skogafoss in a beautiful, mossy green gorge.
This stunning 30-meter waterfall offers the unique experience of walking behind it into a small cave, making it a must-visit spot.
2. Sólheimajökull Glacier
Next on our itinerary was a visit to the majestic Sólheimajökull, our first Icelandic glacier encounter, which is only a short drive off the Ring Road.
A brief 15-minute walk brings you to the glacier viewing platform, with plenty of information boards around explaining the measurements and melting process.
Since we woke up very early, we found ourselves alone at the site, making the experience even more magical.
While Sólheimajökull is well-known for glacier hike tours, we chose to experience this at the Vatnajökull glacier instead.
3. Dyrhólaey
Moving forward, we visited The Dyrhólaey Peninsula, known for its expansive views of The Endless Black Sand Beach on one side and the famous Reynisfjara Beach on the other, as well as its historic lighthouse and Dyrhólaey arch.
However, Dyrhólaey isn’t only about the incredible views. It’s also home to a diverse bird species, with puffins being the clear favourite among visitors.
There are two major viewing points at Dyrhólaey (upper and lower), linked by a short hiking trail. However, we opted to drive and park at both spots to save time.
4. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Our next stop was the most famous black sand beach in Iceland, the iconic Reynisfjara Beach with its massive basalt columns around Hálsanefshellir Cave.
Despite the large crowds during the middle of the day, we had a wonderful time exploring the area on a beautiful, sunny day.
It was very windy, but since there were no sneaker waves, we could walk all the way to the end of the beach and see the legendary Reynisdrangar rock pillars up close.
According to Icelandic folklore, the Reynisdrangar rock formations were once trolls trying to pull ships from the ocean to the shore. They took too long, and as the sunlight caught them at dawn, they were turned into stone.
Reflecting on our quick visit to Reynisfjara Beach, I can say without a doubt that its popularity is well-deserved.
It’s a must-see spot in Iceland, and I imagine it would be even more magical during the early morning hours or at sunset.
5. Vik & Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach
After exploring Reynisfjara and making a quick stop at the Krónan supermarket in Vik to stock up on food, we continued to Víkurfjara, another beautiful black sand beach that offers a different perspective of Reynisdrangar.
We’ve spotted people riding Icelandic horses on the beach, so if that’s on your Iceland to-do list, Víkurfjara beach is a great place to make it happen.
6. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Next on our itinerary was a 3km return hike along beautiful Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, where Justin Bieber filmed the opening scenes of his “I’ll Show You” music video.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, with depths reaching up to 100 meters and a length of 2 kilometers, was shaped over approximately 9000 years by the ongoing erosion from glacial waters.
Making it to the final viewing platform along this trail is well worth it, as you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the winding canyon on one side and the magnificent Mögárfoss waterfall descending the rocky wall on the other side.
7. Skaftafell Campground
By day’s end, we reached the Skaftafell Campground, undoubtedly one the best campsites in Iceland with its top-notch facilities including heated shower cabins, washing machines, and breathtaking views of the mountain ranges surrounding Skaftafell Glacier.
DAY 5: Vatnajökull, Jokulsarlon & Vestrahorn
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Vatnajökull Glacier Hike
✅ Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
✅ Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach
✅ Stokksnes
😴 Vestrahorn Campground
1. Vatnajökull Glacier Hike
I was really excited for day 5 of our Iceland Ring Road trip, as we had a 4-hour glacier hike scheduled at 9am with Icelandic Mountain Guides.
The tour’s starting point was conveniently located at the end of Skaftafell Campground, so we could sleep in without worrying about driving.
After a quick introduction and getting fitted with the necessary glacier gear, including an ice axe and crampons, we headed on a 20-minute drive to Falljökull, an outlet glacier from the Vatnajökull icecap.
The experience of walking on the biggest glacier in Europe was absolutely incredible and the standout highlight of our Iceland trip.
Our guide Martyna, who also happened to be Polish, was very knowledgeable and had a fantastic sense of humour, making the tour enjoyable for everyone in our small group.
2. Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
After the incredible glacier hike, we had a quick lunch, jumped in our van, and drove to the Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
It’s a beautiful lagoon with multiple floating icebergs and an excellent viewpoint of the Fjallsjökull Glacier.
While boat tours are available here, we chose to explore on foot and took some incredible pictures around the shore.
3. Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach
Our next few stops were around Jökulsárlón Lagoon, where we had planned to do a boat tour. Unfortunately, we arrived a little late in the day and missed the opportunity.
Jökulsárlón Lagoon is much larger than Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and taking a boat tour is a great way to get closer to the massive, sky-blue icebergs floating in the lagoon.
After a brief stroll around the lagoon and snapping some photos, we headed to Diamond Beach. Sadly, all the “ice diamonds” had melted away, likely due to the beginning of the summer season.
4. Stokksnes & Vestrahorn
Our last stop for the day was a long-awaited dream of mine: the iconic Vestrahorn mountain on the Stokksnes Peninsula.
Following a slightly rough drive on the gravel road, we arrived at Vestrahorn, picked up our entrance tickets from the Viking Cafe, and drove to the Stokksnes viewpoint.
Despite the late hour and the Vestrahorn mountain peaks being covered in layers of clouds, we could clearly see Brunnhorn, often called “Batman Mountain” due to its three sharp peaks resembling the Batman logo, creating a magical view and a perfect end to one of my favourite days on the road trip in Iceland.
DAY 6: East Iceland
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Viking Village in Vestrahorn
✅ Hvalnes Lighthouse
✅ Lækjavik & Fauskasandur
✅ Folaldafoss Waterfall
😴 Atlavik Campground
1. Viking Village in Vestrahorn
We started the day 6 of our trip around Iceland by exploring the abandoned Viking Village near the Viking Cafe.
The village, a detailed replica of an authentic Viking settlement, was built in 2010 as a movie set for a Universal Studios production. However, it was later scrapped as a filming location due to budget constraints.
Even though it isn’t a genuine historical Viking village, it is perfect for photography enthusiasts. We had a great time exploring the village and taking photos on the Viking boat.
2. Hvalnes Lighthouse
Our next destination was the bright orange Hvalnes Lighthouse, located on a hill overlooking the ocean and black beach, with stunning mountains in the background.
Unfortunately, the weather was really bad during our visit, so we only managed to quickly get out of the van to take a few photos.
3. Lækjavik & Fauskasandur
As avid beach lovers from Australia, we were eager to check out as many Icelandic beaches as possible, so our next quick stop was Fauskasandur black sand beach, featuring the remarkable Stapinn (Stapavík) rock column emerging from its middle.
The drive along Iceland’s entire eastern coast, featuring its rugged, vibrant mountain peaks and remarkable black sand beaches, is truly an unforgettable experience.
4. Folaldafoss Waterfall
To access the viewpoint of this spectacular waterfall, you’ll have to drive along a very steep gravel road (Öxi 939).
It was the most nerve-wracking road we drove with our small Nissan NV200 van during the entire trip, but the breathtaking views made the drive worthwhile.
Often referred to as the “hidden waterfall of Iceland,” Folaldafoss was formed by the Berufjarðará River squeezing through a narrow gap in one of the many cliffs running across the Öxi Valley.
5. Atlavik Campground
Our next stop was Egilsstaðir, where we enjoyed dinner at Tehúsið and restocked our food supplies at one of the supermarkets.
After that, we drove to Atlavik Campground, our last stop of the day.
Without a doubt, Atlavik was the most beautiful campground we stayed at in Iceland. It is located in Hallormsstadur National Forest, the largest forest in Iceland, right next to the Lake Lagarfljot.
Having spent nearly a week driving through landscapes devoid of trees, this location felt incredibly soothing.
Even though the campground lacked shower facilities, we were really happy with the decision to stay here instead of the overcrowded campsite at Egilsstaðir.
DAY 7: North East Iceland
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Hengifoss Waterfall
✅ Studlagil
✅ Krafla
✅ Hverir Geothermal Area
😴 Hlíð Mývatn Campground
1. Hengifoss Waterfall
After a restful night at Atlavik Campground, we were ready for the next challenge on our journey: a 5.6 km loop trail with a +400m elevation of gain to Iceland’s third-largest waterfall, the majestic Hengifoss.
This amazing hiking trail takes you through Litlanesfoss waterfall, where you can admire the remarkable basalt stone columns.
Once you reach the base of Hengifoss, you’ll be greeted by a towering 128m waterfall with striking red clay and black basalt patterns.
2. Studlagil Canyon
Next on our itinerary was Studlagil Canyon in the Jökuldalur Valley, known for its remarkable basalt columns and the vibrant turquoise waters of the Jökla River.
We first parked at the official Studlagil Parking, which lacks direct access to the trail leading to the canyon floor but features a large viewing platform that offers a great view of the canyon and surrounding areas.
We then drove back and parked at the Studlagil East side parking, where the nearly 10 km round-trip trail to the Studlagil canyon begins.
However, after walking a couple of kilometres on the gravel road, we decided to turn back as it didn’t seem very exciting after the incredible Hengifoss hike.
For those with a 4WD car, you can bypass the initial walk and drive straight to Parking Klaustrusel, although I think our Nissan camper would have easily handled this road after walking on it for a bit.
3. Krafla (Víti) Crater
Our next stop was a short visit to the Krafla Crater with its turquoise blue water, surrounded by a surreal landscape of bubbling mud pots and fumaroles.
Located right above the Mid-Atlantic Rift, Krafla’s magma chamber is only 2 kilometers below the surface and Krafla is one of Iceland’s major volcanoes.
Apparently, it takes roughly an hour to walk around the 300-meter diameter rim of the Krafla crater.
However, for security reasons, it’s not currently possible to walk the entire rim, and only about a third of it is accessible.
4. Hverir Geothermal Area
Out of all the places we visited in Northern Iceland around Lake Mývatn, Hverir was my clear favourite, as it felt like we had landed on Mars.
The magical, orange-colored landscape of Hverir (also called Hverarönd), with Mt. Námafjall in the distance, is filled with mud cauldrons, steaming vents, radiant mineral deposits, and piping fumaroles.
The experience was even more unforgettable because we arrived very late and found the place nearly empty.
Cloudy, late evening sky provided the perfect backdrop for some of the most amazing photos we took in Iceland.
5. Hlíð Mývatn Campground
When we finally reached Lake Mývatn, we had initially planned to stay at Vogar Campground.
However, seeing how tightly packed everyone was in the small parking area, we opted to visit Hlíð Campground instead.
It turned out to be much more spacious, with plenty of great parking spots that had great views overlooking the lake.
DAY 8: Lake Mývatn & North West Iceland
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Hverfjall Crater
✅ Skútustaðagígar Craters
✅ Goðafoss Waterfall
✅ Akureyri
✅ Þingeyraklausturskirkja Church
✅ Kirkjufell
😴 Camping Hellissandur
1. Hverfjall Crater
We woke up to a beautiful sunny day, and at the top of our list was a 4.3 km walk around the rim of Hverfjall Crater.
Hverfjall is a 396-meter-high tephra explosion black ash crater with steep slopes.
The clear day we had during our visit offered spectacular views, allowing us to see the nearby lava fields, Mt. Namafjall, and the vast expanse of Lake Mývatn.
If you’re visiting Lake Mývatn, this crater should definitely be at the top of your list as it offers a one-of-a-kind experience, and pictures simply don’t do justice to its actual size.
2. Skútustaðagígar Craters
Next on our itinerary was a brief visit to the Skútustaðagígar Craters, which are pseudo craters formed approximately 2300 years ago.
They formed from hot lava flows over wetlands, triggering gas explosions as the water beneath turned into steam, forming these distinctive craters.
3. Goðafoss Waterfall
Our next destination was the picturesque Goðafoss, also called the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’.
Despite its height of only 12 meters, Goðafoss extends 30 meters wide and forms a stunning horseshoe shape.
4. Akureyri
Heading towards western Iceland, we passed through the charming town of Akureyri and paused for a few photos after after coming out of the 7.5km Vadlaheiði Tunnel.
5. Þingeyraklausturskirkja Church
Heading further west, we took a quick break at Þingeyraklausturskirkja church to stretch our legs. This historic church is one of the oldest stone churches in Iceland, consecrated in 1877.
While driving through the north and northwest areas of Iceland, you’ll have many opportunities to see the beautiful Icelandic horses grazing near the road or in nearby farms or stables.
6. Kirkjufell
After a long day on the road, we finally reached the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with our first stop being Mount Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in Iceland, also known as the ‘Church Mountain.‘
It was undoubtedly a lovely spot, especially with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground, chanelling the glacial water of the Snaefellsjokull glacier.
However, after traveling nearly the entire Ring Road, it’s hard to say it’s as impressive as some of the mountains we’ve seen in southeast Iceland.
7. Hellissandur
Our last destination of the day was the small town of Hellissandur. Before reaching there, we paused briefly at the shipwreck of the SANDGERÐI GK-2 to capture a few photos.
Even though we were very tired and it was late, we couldn’t resist checking out the Murals of Hellissandur and having our last photoshoot of the day.
DAY 9: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Djúpalónssandur Beach
✅ Lóndrangar Cliffs
✅ Arnarstapi
✅ Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
✅ Bjarnarfoss Waterfall
✅ Ytri Tunga
😴 Stóri-Lambhagi Campground
1. Djúpalónssandur Beach
Day 9 of our Iceland Ring Road trip began with a visit to the stunning Djúpalónssandur Beach, surrounded by ancient lava fields and unique rock formations.
The surreal landscape here was formed by Snaefellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped volcano that last erupted 1,800 years ago.
The beach offers many surprises, including remnants of an old fishing trawler and 4 lifting stones once used to test the strength of aspiring sailors.
2. Lóndrangar Cliffs
We then made a quick stop at the viewpoint for the majestic Lóndrangar Cliffs, with the Malarrif Lighthouse standing in the distance.
Lóndrangar, called the ‘Rocky Castle,’ consists of two tower-like peaks, 75 and 61 meters tall.
For a better view of Lóndrangar up close, take the road to Malarrif Lighthouse and hike from there.
3. Arnarstapi
Afterward, we took a quick lunch break at the coastal village of Arnarstapi, known for its impressive eroded circular stone arch, Gatklettur.
From Gatklettur, you can follow a coastal walking trail to reach another natural Stone Bridge, Arnarstapi Lighthouse, and Pompa.
You can also visit Arnarstapi Harbour to take a famous shot of the white house with Mt. Stapafell in the background.
4. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
Next on our itinerary was a quick hike to the beautiful Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge in Botnsfjall Mountain.
Moving towards the towering cliffs of this gorge, with hundreds of birds circling above, felt like stepping into an epic fantasy movie.
Once inside the first chamber, you’ll find yourself in a small grotto with cliffs covered in bright green moss.
If you wish to explore deeper into the grotto, waterproof footwear is highly recommended.
5. Bjarnarfoss Waterfall
As we drove further east, we made a brief 5-minute stop at Bjarnarfoss Waterfall to take a couple of photos, a beautiful spot easily visible along the drive.
6. Ytri Tunga
The final destination on our Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour was Ytri Tunga, a beautiful beach with golden sand, perfect for seal watching.
We spent quite a bit of time here watching two harbour seals chilling on the rocks not far from the shore, and further out, there was a larger group of seals swimming in the rocky pool along the coast.
After that, we drove to Stóri-Lambhagi Campground, where we camped for the night, and on the way, we stopped in the small town of Borgarnes.
DAY 10: Glymur Waterfall & Reykjavik
Travel Checkpoints:
✅ Glymur Waterfall
✅ Reykjavik
1. Glymur Waterfall
With perfect sunny weather on our last day, we set out for the 7km hike to the top of Glymur, Iceland’s second tallest waterfall at 198m.
Even though we saw plenty of waterfalls on our Ring Road trip, Glymur really took us by surprise!
The spectacular hiking trail along the very steep canyon ridge with two river crossings was hands down the most beautiful trek we had in Iceland.
For anyone planning this hike, I strongly suggest bringing water shoes, as the river crossing at the top of the waterfall is quite long, with slippery rocks, and the water is very cold.
2. Reykjavik
Although our stay in Reykjavik was relatively short, we booked accommodation right in the city centre, which allowed us to visit some of the main tourist attractions.
After dinner at one of the restaurants, we visited the famous Hallgrimskirkja church, explored the area around Rainbow Street, and ended the day watching the beautiful midnight sunset at the Sun Voyager.
It was a perfect ending to our unforgettable 10-day Ring Road trip around the island.
Next day we woke up early to drop off our campervan and catch the morning flight to Amsterdam from Keflavik Airport.
Add to Your Ring Road Trip: Bonus Stops
As noted earlier in the article, here are a few additional places and activities we considered adding to our trip but couldn’t fit in, missed, or opted to skip due to time constraints.
If you have the opportunity, I recommend checking them out.
1. Seltún Geothermal Area
If you’re not heading to the westernmost part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, be sure to visit Seltún, home to several geothermal fields in the Krýsuvík area.
2. Inside the Volcano Tour
This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore inside the Þríhnúkagígur volcano, descending into the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Bear in mind, it’s quite expensive!
3. Silfra Diving / Snorkeling Day Tour
Do you want to plunge into icy Icelandic waters? Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park offers the unique opportunity to dive between two continents, found nowhere else in the world.
4. Þakgil & Katla Ice Cave
We had hoped to stay at Þakgil Campground for a night, drawn by the breathtaking drive to the location. However, due to time constraints, we couldn’t make it.
Nearby, you’ll find Katla Ice Cave—a distinctive cave located inside a glacier on top of a volcano, filled with ice formations and black ash stripes.
5. Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic, are a remarkably scenic archipelago of 15 islands situated close to Iceland’s bustling South Coast, making them easily accessible to tourists.
6. Landmannalaugar
If you have a 4WD and arrive during peak summer when F-Roads to Landmannalaugar are open, it’s worth including this destination after you finish the Golden Circle.
Landmannalaugar is famous for its colorful rhyolite mountains and fantastic day hikes, and it’s the main reason why I’ll be coming back to Iceland sometime in the future!
7. The Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
If you’re up for a 7km hike and want to visit the DC-3 plane crash site on the black sand beach famously featured in Justin Bieber’s music video, it’s a must-add to your itinerary.
8. Múlagljúfur Canyon
In the southern region of Iceland, next to the Fjallsárlón Lagoon, there’s a 5.8 km return hike to the Múlagljúfur Canyon. Within this canyon, you’ll find the Hangandifoss waterfall.
9. Husavik
Situated on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay in northern Iceland, Húsavík is renowned worldwide as Iceland’s Whale Watching Capital.
10. Sky Lagoon
Instead of the Blue Lagoon, you can visit the Sky Lagoon, a geothermal spa situated in Reykjavik at Kársnes Harbour, Kópavogur.
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