Iceland Itinerary: 10 Days on the Ring Road

Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is 1322km long and is the main road that loops around the entire island. This itinerary includes locations all over the ring road with busy days exploring a lot of highlights. As the sun was up for around 20 hours a day, we found ourselves travelling between campsites from around 9 am until 9 pm. This allowed us to make the most of the days and ensured we saw as much as possible.

Day 1: Strokkur/Geysir, Gullfoss, Haifoss
Day 2: Landmannalaugar, Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui
Day 3: Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck, Dyrhólaey Viewpoint
Day 4: Vik, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Skaftafell, Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Day 5: Stokksnes, Borgarfjörður Eystri
Day 6: Stuðlagil Canyon, Krafla Lava Fields, Mývatn Nature Baths
Day 7: Mývatn, Goðafoss, Hvitserkur
Day 8: Kirkjufell, Búðakirkja, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjadalur Thermal River
Day 9: Fagradalsfjall Volcano
Day 10: Reykjavík

Total Driving Time // 3 Hours (220km)

Camping Site // Rjúpnavellir Camping & Cottages

Hotel in Area // Rjúpnavellir or Kaldbakur Guesthouse

We arrived at the airport around 9 AM and transferred to our van hire location. After a quick run-through of the vehicle and a supermarket stop, we were off on the road and ready for adventure! We started our trip with a couple of spots along the golden circle before heading out towards some of the less-occupied spots.

Due to its location on the Golden Circle and proximity to Reykjavik, Gullfoss is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. Sit back and enjoy as the water plunges 32 metres into the lower canyon. You can also get nice and close sitting in the middle section of this dual step waterfall.

Though Haifoss was one of the earlier waterfalls we visited, it lingered in our mind long after. Even after the trip, it stuck as one of our favourites. Haifoss is a waterfall in the Fossárdalur valley. It is 122 metres tall and the third highest waterfall in Iceland. There is a second waterfall ‘Granni’ next to Haifoss which adds to the incredible views of this spot.

This road is not an F-road but the access track (route 332) used to get to the car park was rough. If you aren’t in a 4×4, we recommend taking it slow and mind the potholes. You’ll get there eventually!

Total Driving Time // 1 Hour (80km)

Camping Site // Hamragarðar

Hotel in Area // Lindartún Guesthouse or South Iceland Guesthouse

On our second day in Iceland, we decided to take a day trip to Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is well known as one of the best hiking spots in Iceland and we couldn’t agree more. This place easily entered our top three favourite hiking trails around the world.

Landmannalaugar is accessed via an F-road meaning you need a 4×4. Lucky for us and those of you who are also travelling the ring road in a van, there is public transport available. Overland buses can be organised with Reykjavik Excursions or Trex. These buses leave Reykjavik and stop at many spots en route to Landmannalaugar. The schedules can be found on their websites linked above.

If you plan on spending a single day here like us. You will have 4.5 hours to explore Landmannalaugar before having to take the bus back. This is plenty of time to see the highlights and a good introduction to the area. With so many hiking options in the area, you can also choose to camp overnight at Landmannalaugar or stay in one of the lodges. These are very popular so make sure to book in advance.

If you opt for the day trip, we recommended taking the hike up Brennisteinsalda via the lava fields. This hike is around 7km and takes approximately 3 hours. This route takes you through the sulphuric mountains and the ever-impressive lava fields. It’s a great introduction to the area and gives you a glimpse into the wonders of Landmannalaugar.

This route also leaves some time at the end of your hike to enjoy the geothermal hot springs. People’s Pool is located near the central hub. These hot springs are as natural as it gets. A perfect way to relax those muscles and enjoy the wonderful surroundings after a day of hiking.

Gljufrabui is a unique waterfall as it’s situated within a cave. Tucked away in the small chamber, you can walk up to the waterfall and enjoy the mystical views up close.

Gljufrabui is also right near the campsite, in fact, it’s basically within the campsite. We got to the campsite early and were lucky enough to reverse the van in front of it. This meant we listened to the falling water all night as it soothed us to sleep.

Total Driving Time // 1 Hour (65km)

Camping Site // Vík tjaldsvæði

Hotel in Area // Guesthouse Carina

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool was built back in 1923 and is the oldest pool in Iceland. We visited this spot in the morning sharing a very peaceful moment with only one other couple. The pool is a comfortable temperature and the views of the green valley make this place a must-visit. We spent a good hour soaking it all in and absolutely loved this spot.

To visit you’ll need to park up at the Seljavallalaug parking lot. It’s a 20-minutes walk from here following the dry river bed into the mountains. The walk is easy but good shoes are recommended as it is rocky. There are some very basic changing rooms at the pool but no bathroom facilities. The pool and parking were free when we visited.

Skogafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland with a width of 25 metres and a height of 60 metres. Made famous by Game of Thrones, this site lives up to the hype and was our favourite waterfall in Iceland. The sheer size of the waterfall accompanied by the beautiful scenery really is a sight to behold.

You can walk right up to the waterfall and appreciate the power from up close. But be prepared to get soaked as the spray can be quite wild once you get there. You can also climb the stairs up to a viewing platform over the waterfall. If you don’t want your photo to feature a bunch of people in the background then visit this site early in the morning. Outside of the golden circle, this was one of the busiest places we came across in Iceland.

Visiting the Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck was always high on our bucket list. The unique nature of the site and the spectacular photos we had seen drew us in. In-person the plane wreck is just as apocalyptic as the pictures make out. With nothing but the shell of an abandoned plane wreck in a desert of black sand, this spot is special.

The plane cannot be seen from the road. But, there is a parking lot (the only one along the long road in the area) where you start the walk from. The walk is a 7km round-trip taking approximately 45 minutes to walk each way. There’s no one around monitoring the site so you can walk up to the wreck and explore inside the craft.

For an incredible view down the ‘Endless Black Beach’, the viewpoint at Dyrhólaey lighthouse is a must. It’s a popular stop on anyone’s itinerary and the view over the Dyrhólaey archway is an added bonus.

We also got to spot our first puffins here, nesting along the steep cliffs. Though you can’t get as close to the puffins as a spot we will mention later on. It’s quite the backdrop for viewing these little wonders.

When we visited, the road up to the Dyrhólaey lighthouse had been removed. The parking was now at the Dyrhólaey View Parking Lot. It is approximately 30 minutes walk from here to the Dyrhólaey lighthouse.

Total Driving Time // 3.5 Hours (280km)

Camping Site // Vestrahorn Camping

Hotel in Area // Vikingcafe or Hotel Edda Höfn

Vik was mainly the city where we camped for the night. Yet, it has a few spots to visit first thing in the morning before starting the day. We started the day with a visit to Black Sand Beach. This beach provides a mystical view out towards the Reynisdrangar. The Reynisdrangar is a jagged rock formation off the coast. We then explored the Vik i Myrdal Church. This was also our opportunity to get nice and close to the Icelandic horses when visiting the church.

It is also worth noting that a lot of people will visit Reynisfjara Beach from Vik. This is the famous location of the beach columns ‘Columnes Reynisfjara’. We decided to skip this as we had a busy day ahead, but if you find time definitely go there.

The Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is about 100m deep and 2km long formed from glacial melt thousands of years ago. This was one of the most fascinating landscapes we came across during our time in Iceland. We spent quite a bit of time here appreciating the soaring towers of stone and serpent-like river. Easy to see why this canyon inspired so many writers and movie directors.

Skaftafell is an area in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park. It includes several waterfalls, glaciers, and mountains. It is a fantastic place to spend some time hiking and includes a few highlights worth seeing.

Two of these highlights include Svartifoss and the Sjónarnípa lookout. Svartifoss is a waterfall in the Vatnajökull National Park with unique hexagonal basalt columns formed by very fast cooling lava. The Sjónarnípa lookout boasts amazing views over the glacier Skaftafellsjökull.

There are a lot of different hikes in this area that vary in difficulty and length. These can all be found on the Vatnajokull national park website. We recommend taking the S6 route which covers both Svartifoss and the Sjónarnípa lookout. This is route is an easy 7.4km long and well worth the venture.

Another unreal-looking place in Iceland was Diamond Beach. We had heard of this beach before so we knew what to expect but had never seen any photos. So when we walked onto the black sand to find rows of icebergs parked up on the sand, it really was a jaw-dropping moment.

The contrast between the massive white icebergs and the black sand definitely adds to the amazement that is Diamond Beach. If you’re lucky you’ll also spot a few playful seals as they swim around the ice platforms.

This glacial lagoon is dotted with icebergs from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. It is a place of pure beauty that is hard to understand without seeing yourself. We visited in the late afternoon so the soft setting sun would cast a calming light across the lagoon. We definitely recommend this time of the day. It was also a lot let less crowded compared to the middle of the day which always adds to an experience.

If you’re feeling adventurous then there is a bunch of activities to explore the Glacier Lagoon. Why not book a boat tour of the lagoon with Glacier Lagoon? Or if you’re feeling more adventurous you can organise a kayak tour with Ice Guide. Be sure to book your tours in advance as they do get busy.

Total Driving Time // 3.5 Hours (250km)

Camping Site // Borgarfjörður eystra tjaldsvæði

Hotel in Area // Blabjorg Guesthouse

Stokksnes was one of the spots we were most excited about before visiting Iceland. We’d seen the epic photos of the black beach, dramatic mountain background, and even the perfect reflection from the water on certain days. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side this day and a low-hanging cloud stayed around from the night before to block the view.

For scale, the actual mountain is about 4 times the height of the two little rock peaks you can see In the photos below. If you get a clear day at this location you are in for a treat!

Every year, from May to early September, Iceland gets a little bit cuter when it becomes home to 8-10 million Atlantic Puffins. Borgarfjörður Eystri is one of the easiest and best spots to see puffins in Iceland. Located within the local marina, you can get nice and close to the nesting puffins on the wooden platforms.

As this location is a bit of a detour off the main ring road, it does not tend to get too busy which lets you enjoy your time with the thousands of puffins in peace. Though it’s a detour, we promise it’s worth the trip. Not only is it one of the best spots for puffins, but the fantastic drive through the mountain range to get there is one to remember.

Total Driving Time // 2.5 Hours (200km)

Camping Site // Bjarg

Hotel in Area // Dimmuborgir Guesthouse or Vogar Travel Service

Stuðlagil Canyon is a must-see for its exceptional and fascinating display of basalt columns. The formations are pretty impressive as they form their way around the beautiful blue coloured river Jökla. This place isn’t fully appreciated until you find yourself amongst these giant columns.

There is a viewing platform on the western side of the river which is accessible from the road. However, the view from here is oddly positioned meaning you really don’t get to see the canyon very well. We recommend crossing to the east side of the river and driving down the dirt road. From the car park it is an 8km return hike to get to the canyon.

The Krafla Lava Fields are a large volcanic system in the North of Iceland. It’s a fascinating area full of sulphuric pits and set lava. The best way to see all of this is by walking the short hike around the Leirhnjúkur Lava Field to view the colourful sulphuric pits and feel the heat from the surrounding lava fields. The main highlight in this area is the Víti Crater Lake. When the sun comes out, the lake’s turquoise colours really stand out and display an unusual scene.

The Mývatn Nature Baths are a set of geothermal pools found in the Lake Mývatn area. You may have heard of the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik? Well, this is the more peaceful and affordable version in the north of Iceland. The baths are the perfect way to end the day soaking in the blue waters while also enjoying a beautiful view over the volcanic area. We spent about 3 hours in the pools and even got some beers whilst here. This was the only ‘living it up’ part of our trip and totally worth it.

Total Driving Time // 6 Hours (450km)

Camping Site // Campground Grundarfjörður

Hotel in Area // Kirkjufell Guesthouse and Apartments or Skjólsteinar

Mývatn is a beautiful lake area that holds a unique landscape, different again from any other site in Iceland. As a result of a large basaltic lava fissure eruption 2300 years ago, the area is dominated by little pseudocraters that look as if they have exploded out of the lake itself. This combined with the still blue waters and large mass of local birdlife makes for a great piece of nature in the north of Iceland. A lot of these craters are out in the lake itself and unreachable by foot. However, for the most accessible location head to the south of the lake at ‘Skútustaðagígar’ to walk amongst a series of these craters.

Some 50 metres off the shore of the north coast of Iceland sits Hvitserkur. This large 15m high volcanic structure is what remains of the erosion in the area leaving a structure that looks a bit like an elephant or a rhino.

It’s quite the detour to visit Hvitserkur, needing a 45 minute drive each way off the ring road. We visited this location as a way of breaking up a big driving day. But in all honesty, if you are more pressed for time we would recommend skipping. This was one of the only places in Iceland where we thought that the pictures were more impressive than the location.

Total Driving Time // 3.25 Hours (250km)

Camping Site // Reykjamörk Hveragerði Campsite

Hotel in Area // Hotel Hjardarbol or Varmi Guesthouse Apartments

We’ve made our way back on the golden circle, meaning we also have to accept the larger crowds at most sites. Luckily Thingvellir National Park is a large site so this shouldn’t bother you too much.

Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and its geological traits make this place fascinating. Iceland is on two continental plates, the North American tectonic plate, and the Eurasian tectonic plate. Thingvellir National Park is where you can see the split between these two tectonic plates. It is also the only place in the world where the rift between two tectonic plates can be seen above sea level.

If you are after something a little different, you can snorkel or dive between the tectonic plates to see the rift in more detail. Book your tour well in advance using the following links: Snorkelling or Diving.

Reykjadalur Thermal River was our favourite hot spring in all of Iceland. Situated in a beautiful valley, this heated river flows naturally and is an absolute gem. The section for bathing is around 250 metres long and the temperature varies from top to bottom allowing everyone to find their perfect spot. The temperature at the top is REALLY hot, so we do recommend finding a place around the middle.

As we found this site last minute, we were ill-prepared and definitely underestimated the hike. It’s a good 45-60 minute hike to the hot spring and relatively steep. We recommend bringing plenty of water and snacks because once you reach the spring, you are going to want to stay for a while. To avoid the crowds, come in the late afternoon and enjoy sunset in this pristine location.

Total Driving Time // 1.25 Hours (100km)

Camping Site // Vogar Campsite

Hotel in Area // Reykjanes Guesthouse or iStay Cottages

Fagradalsfjall Volcano is Iceland’s newest and fully active volcano. It started erupting on the 19th of March 2021 and has continued to grow in size. If you weren’t already convinced to visit Iceland, then this spot will be the final incentive to book that ticket!

We devoted a whole day to visiting the Fagradalsfjall Volcano and once you get here you’ll understand why. It is a good 1.5-hour hike in either direction to get to the best viewing spot, a lot of people stop hiking once they reach the mountain peak but the trick is to keep walking so that you can get nice and close to the lava.

This volcano is predicted to continue erupting for two more years, but how long it will actually last is not known. For this reason, we recommend visiting as soon as you can. The volcano does not erupt every day, so be sure to check the live webcam before starting the hike up. As the volcano is close to Reykjavik planning your trip around the erupting volcano would be recommended, making sure you have enough spare time to come back if you’re unlucky at first. Hopefully, you can either start or finish your trip at this amazing place. The webcam can be found below or at the following link.

Total Driving Time // 0.5 Hours (35km)

Hotel in Area // Eric the Red Guesthouse or 101 Guesthouse

We had to drop off our van in the morning, leaving us a full day to explore the capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik. Though our trip was focused on the outdoors, we enjoyed our day in the city and got a really good vibe from the place.

Highlights in the city are limited, the main sight is the Hallgrimskirkja Church. We also recommend having a stroll down Skólavörðustígur (the rainbow street) and the surrounding streets boasting the funky architecture that Reykjavik has to offer. For lunch, we got an affordable hot dog from the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which literally translates to ‘Best Hotdog in Town’. In the afternoon we mainly just enjoyed a few beers during happy hour, the only way to get yourself a more reasonably priced pint!