Iceland
the land of fire and ice
Travel Period: September – October
Travel route Iceland - the land of fire and ice
Experience the fascinating landscapes of Iceland on an unforgettable road trip along the Ring Road, with detours into the Highlands. This Iceland adventure itinerary offers the perfect blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation.
Our recommendations are based on our travel period.
Travel Period: September – October
Our Iceland adventure begins in Reykjavik
We landed in Reykjavik in the afternoon and then drove a short distance towards the Ring Road. We spent the first night in a beautiful small cabin in Reykholt.
Our Accommodation Recommendation:
Red Forest on The Golden Circle
Our Accommodation Recommendation Red Forest on The Golden Circle
Thingvellir National Park & Öxararfoss
We began our exploration at Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, a filming location for the series Game of Thrones. Here, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. You can also marvel at the stunning Öxararfoss (Öxarárfoss).
Tip: Visit the waterfall early in the morning—it gets quite crowded.
Duration: approx. 4-5 hours
Volcanic Crater Kerid (Kerið)
Next, we visited Kerid (Kerið), a volcanic crater lake that has existed for around 3,000 years. Its stunning red rock formations beautifully contrast with the bright blue lake. You can explore the lake from above, along the crater’s edge, or walk down to the water.
Duration: approx. 1-2 hours
Haukadalur Geothermal Area
Our next stop was the geothermal area called Haukadalur. Here you can see sulfur springs, Iceland’s biggest and most active geyser (Strokkur).
Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes, shooting a water fountain 20–30 meters into the air.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Detour to the Highlands: "Kerlingarfjöll"
Later on our journey, we visited Kerlingarfjöll, a hiking area in the Highlands shaped by past volcanic activity. During our autumn trip, the first snow had already fallen. We embarked on a 2-hour hike to the lower gorge of Hveradalir (Valley of Hot Springs). From the riverbed, thermal water at 80–100°C emerges, creating beautiful steam formations against the colorful rocks.
Please note that the Highlands are difficult, if not impossible, to access in winter. In early October, we barely managed to navigate through the mountains. Access to the Highlands is generally only permitted with a 4×4 vehicle.
Duration: Hike approx. 2–3 hours, drive through the Highlands approx. 1.5–2 hours each way.
Hiking at the Springs of "Landmannalaugar"
The next day, we had the “Hot Springs of the People of the Land” – Landmannalaugar – on our itinerary.
Here, you get to experience everything Iceland has to offer: brightly shimmering rhyolite mountains in all colors—from red to yellow to black—volcanic fields, hot steam rising from the mountains, and hot springs where you can bathe and relax.
Duration: approx. 1 day (Hike approx. 5 hours, drive approx. 1.5 hours each way).
Along the Ring Road to the "Seljalandsfoss" Waterfall
After our detour into the Highlands, we continued along the Ring Road to Seljalandsfoss. You can walk all the way around the waterfall and take impressive photos “behind” the waterfall.
Since this waterfall is a major tourist attraction, it’s best to visit outside peak hours or in the early morning. We were already too late at 9 AM and found ourselves in the middle of a crowd.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
A Quick Trip to "Kvernufoss"
If you’d like to avoid mass tourism, we recommend visiting Kvernufoss. Here, you can also walk behind the waterfall and enjoy the nature in peace and quiet.
Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
To the Skogafoss Waterfall
Not far from Kvernufoss is Skogafoss. It’s beautiful—unfortunately, also very crowded, as the waterfall is only about a 5-minute walk from a large parking lot.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
Dyrhólaey Peninsula
A major highlight of our trip was Dyrhólaey– a peninsula with stunning rock formations—and the nearby Reynisfjara– Black Beach. A beach with basalt rock and deep black sand. You can drive up to a high viewpoint on the peninsula-definitely a “must” on your route. From May to August, you might even spot puffins with a bit of luck.
Please be responsible when visiting Reynisfjara Beach. The sea is very stormy, cold, and unpredictable. You’ll always find signs on the beach with information about waves and currents. With the unique basalt rock formations in the water—are they perhaps petrified trolls? – This beach is an absolute highlight of any Iceland trip.
Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
Next, we headed to Sólheimasandur—an endless stretch of sandy desert. Here, you’ll find the wreckage of a DC-3 plane that made an emergency landing in the 1970s. All passengers survived, but the wreckage remains as a reminder of the past. You can hike to the plane—about 4 km each way.
We took about 1 hour each way. However, there are also shuttle buses available at certain times. We visited the wreck at twilight to have the chance to view the plane in peace.
Tip: There’s another plane wreck in Iceland, more about that further down, or click here.
Duration: approx. 3-4 hours
Eldgjá Gorge
We now head to the Eldgjá Gorge, the largest volcanic rift in the world. We hike through the beautiful mountain valley and stop at the magnificent Ófærufoss waterfall, which cascades down in several stages from the mountain peak.
Due to its remote location, not many people visit this spot. We were alone here, and it was one of our most beautiful excursions on our Iceland adventure.
You can park here, but you will need a 4×4 vehicle.
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge
Our next destination is Fjaðrárgljúfur, a gorge about 100 meters deep with a waterfall, surrounded by green moss-covered slopes. It’s easily accessible and offers stunning views.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
Vatnajökull Glacier
Next, we visited Vatnajökull, one of the last massive glaciers in the world. Its ice sheet is up to 900 meters deep in some areas. We went on a glacier hike to Kverkfjöll and also hiked through the ice caves. The ice caves change every year, so make sure to check if the cave still exists.
For your safety, it’s recommended to book a tour. There are tours of various lengths and price ranges.
You can find an overview here .
Duration: approx. 4-5 hours
Jökulsárlón "Diamond Beach"
Upon arriving at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, we admired the magical Diamond Beach. Icebergs that break off are carried by the glacier lake to the shore, forming ice diamonds that sparkle beautifully in the sun. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some seals playing on the beach.
The beach is quite popular, but the crowds are well spread out along the large area. You can also book a boat tour over the glacier lake.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Höfn, Stokksnes Island
Near Höfn, on Stokksnes Island, you can, with a bit of luck, spot wild seals.
A walk along the coast is an absolute experience, and the picturesque dunes on the black beach make for a perfect photo opportunity for everyone.
We also made a brief stop at the nearby Viking village.
Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
Svartifoss Waterfall
Svartifoss (the Black Waterfall) is a beautiful waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park, framed by basalt columns. The hike takes about 1 hour and starts in Skaftafell.
Duration: approx. 1-2 hours
Stuðlagil Canyon
Stuðlagil Canyon is made up of dark basalt columns that beautifully highlight the turquoise water of the Jökulsá River. There is a viewpoint and small hiking paths along the canyon.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Litlanesfoss & Hengifoss
In eastern Iceland, you can visit the two waterfalls Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss. They are located on the same hiking route, and particularly Hengifoss is impressive with deep red lines (former volcanic ash) in the rock.
Eskifjörður & Seyðisfjörður
In the East Fjords, you can visit the two beautiful and charming fishing villages Eskifjörður and Seyðisfjörður. Seyðisfjörður is especially known for its blue church and Rainbow Street.
The town itself is rather small, and the church is the main attraction. If you’re short on time, you can skip this spot.
Duration: 1 hour per location
DC-3 Plane Wreck Eyvindarholt
If the famous DC-3 plane wreck at the beach feels too touristy for you, you can visit an alternative in Eyvindarholt. There, you’ll find another DC-3 wreck that can be explored.
When we traveled through Iceland, we visited the wreck in the northeast of the island, in Þórshöfn, away from the crowds. According to various Google reviews, it has since been removed from there.
Duration: approx. 1 hours
Arctic Henge at Melrakkaslétta
If you’re interested in landmarks like Stonehenge, make sure to visit the Arctic Henge (Heimskautsgerðið) in Raufarhöfn on the Melrakkaslétta Peninsula.
You can reach the monument in about 5 minutes from the nearby parking lot, but be sure to allow for a longer travel time if needed.
Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Dettifoss & Selfoss Waterfalls
Near the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River, you can visit the nearby waterfalls Dettifoss and Selfoss. Dettifoss cascades with immense power and large volumes of water, often creating beautiful rainbows at certain spots. Selfoss, about 1 km away, is made up of many small waterfalls.
Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
Mývatn
Plan a 1-2 day stop in Mývatn – a beautiful place with many attractions.
Near the town, you’ll find Lake Mývatn, which invites you to take relaxing walks.
A must-see on every travel list is the Game of Thrones filming location Grjótagjá – a small lava cave with a hot spring inside. You’re not allowed to bathe there, but the little cave is truly impressive. On wet days, the entrance can be slippery, so make sure to wear sturdy footwear.
Also nearby is the Námaskarð Geothermal Field. This attraction is easily accessible from the nearby parking lot. You’ll encounter yellow sulfur pots, geothermal water explosions, and the feeling of being on another planet.
On your way, you can briefly stop at the Hverfjall (Hverfell) volcano and admire the crater. If you have time, you can also do a 3 km hike up the crater and enjoy the view of Mývatn – though we didn’t manage this due to time constraints.
For afternoon relaxation, we highly recommend the Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin við Mývatn). Here you can unwind in a hot spring and enjoy the view of the valley. This natural bath is much less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, but just as beautiful.
Duration: approx. 2 days
Goðafoss Waterfall
Our journey takes us from Mývatn to Goðafoss (“Waterfall of the Gods”). The waterfall is located right along the Ring Road, and several viewpoints are easily accessible by foot.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Akureyri, Siglufjörður, and Hofsós
We make a brief stop in Akureyri to explore the small local shops. Then, we drive along the Eyjafjörður fjord to the fishing village Siglufjörður.
On the way, you’ll pass the small village of Dalvík.
On the outskirts of the small village of Hofsós, you’ll find the Staðarbjörg Basalt Columns along the coast. It’s still a relatively undiscovered spot.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes – 1 hour per location
Hot Springs at Hveravellir
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was the hot springs in the Highlands – in the geothermal area of Hveravellir. The drive was quite time-consuming due to snowdrifts that occurred during our visit in October. In the summer, you can almost drive up to the source at the campsite. However, a 4×4 vehicle is a must. Our hike took about 1 hour due to the limited accessibility.
You can find the exact location of the spring here.
Duration: approx. 6 hours
Dynjandi Waterfall
Our journey continues to the Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords. During the winter months, the road there is often closed, so please check the official websites for current conditions.
The waterfall stretches over several tiers and becomes wider as it descends. You can climb up the individual steps and easily reach the waterfall from the nearby parking lot.
Before or after your visit to Dynjandi, you can also head to the Seal Lookout at Litlibær in the Westfjords. A large seal colony lives here, and you can observe the animals in peace. Please maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.
Duration: approx. 1-2 hours
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you can visit Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls. There is a large parking lot, and the path to the waterfall is easily accessible. However, in reality, the waterfall is much smaller than in the famous photos, and you should expect many other visitors. Nevertheless, it’s a quick stop that fits well into your exploration of the peninsula.
For those who want to experience the feeling of Captain Jack Sparrow, a short stop at the shipwreck Sæljós GK-2 in Sandgerði here on Útnesvegur is highly recommended.
In the small fishing village of Arnarstapi, also on the peninsula, you can visit an impressive rock arch and perhaps even see dolphins guiding the fishing boats to shore. There is a marked parking lot, and the trail leads above the cliffs, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
In summer, a stop at the rock formations of Djúpalónssandur is also worthwhile, as puffins nest here.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes to 1 hour per location.
Hvítserkur
In the northwest of Iceland, we admired the unique rock formations of Hvítserkur during our journey. It’s a remnant of an eroded volcanic vent, shaped by the tides. In the surrounding area, you may also be lucky enough to spot wild seals.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Reykjavík
We end our journey where we started – in Reykjavík. We stroll through the city, visit the harbor, and admire the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church. In just 2-3 hours, you can explore the entire city. Of course, we had planned to visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon, but unfortunately, the tickets were sold out well in advance. Learn from our mistake and book your tickets for the Blue Lagoon as soon as you book your flights. However, we found a great alternative: the Sky Lagoon. Less known, but on its way to becoming a second thermal spring gem.
Duration: approx. 2 days.
