Highlands of Iceland

You will begin your journey by driving along Route 1 towards Borgarnes and the recently inaugurated Settlement Centre Museum which is well worth a visit. From here, you can then continue on towards Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Iceland, and to the town of Reykholt which is where the great poet Snorri Sturluson lived and died in the 13th century. While in the Borgarfjördur area you can visit the natural phenomenon of Hraunfossar, one of the most alluring sights in Western Iceland. Here, crystal clear spring water runs out from a lava field and streams down into the River Hvítá. Just a stone’s throw upstream lies Barnafoss, or the Children’s Waterfall, so named according to legend for two children who drowned in its waters.

You will then head on through a unique and rugged landscape, alongside two glaciers and towards Thingvellir National Park. Once there, we recommend taking a walk through Almannagjá, a gorge between two tectonic plates and the site where the old Icelandic parliament used to meet. You will then continue on to Laugarvatn where you will spend the night.

Today will begin with a visit to the world-famous geothermal area of Geysir where the most active geyser in the country, Strokkur, erupts regularly around every five minutes or so. From there it is only a short drive to the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, or the Golden Waterfall. You will then continue along the Kjölur Plateau which lies between two of the largest glaciers in Iceland, Langjökull and Hofsjökull. This area was once an important link between the northern and southern parts of the country but with time it has become more rugged and barren. Today, Kjölur is a wide and barren landscape, encircled by mountains and glaciers in the distance.

Once you are about halfway over the highland you will reach the hot spring area of Hveravellir – an oasis in the middle of the wilderness. Stop off for a walk around the hot springs and a revitalising dip in the naturally heated water before then continuing your journey towards the north. On the road between the Skagafjördur area and the village of Varmahlíð lies the Glaumbær Museum, which is one of the few traditional turf farms still remaining in Iceland today. Continue along Route 1 until you reach Akureyri where you will spend the night.

Heading off from Akureyri, you will soon pass Godafoss Waterfall on your way to Lake Mývatn. Mývatn is an exceptionally exciting area, so you may want to stay an extra hour or so to really take it all in. This area is home to some fantastic volcanic formations, geothermal activity and rich bird life. Begin by exploring the volcano-like craters at Skútustadir before then heading through a labyrinth of lava formations at Dimmuborgir.

Be sure to also pay a visit to Námaskard where you can see hot steam escaping through cracks in the ground. Then make your way to the Krafla area where you can check out the Viti Crater and walk to the volcanic area of Leirhnjúkur which had a series of eruptions between 1975 and 1984. Round off the day with a visit to Lake Mývatn where you can experience natural bathing reminiscient of the Blue Lagoon. You will spend the night in the Mývatn/Húsavík area.

Begin the day by driving to the charming fishing village of Húsavik! This fishing village has become the number one spot in Iceland for whale watching and today you will have the opportunity to embark on an exciting whale watching tour. Afterwards continue along the Tjörnes coastline until you reach Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon that is fabled to be a hoof-print left by Oden’s eight-footed horse.

Then head southwards towards the basalt formations at Hljóðaklettar. Basalt is an igneous rock type of volcanic origin and accounts for 70% of the earth’s volcanic rock. Then continue on to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in the country with an impressive drop of 44 metres. After this incredible sight you will then continue eastwards over a lunar-esque landscape until you reach Iceland’s gorgeous west coast. You can then choose between taking the tunnel to Fáskrúdsfjordur or driving along the older coastal road to enjoy some more of the surrounding scenery. You will spend the night in the East Fjords area.

Today you will continue along the coast past small fishing communities such as Djúpivogur. The coastal landscape will gradually begin to change, giving way to steep cliff faces and deep fjords where rauk-type formations stand tall like statues reaching out for the sky. In order to reach Egilsstadir you can either opt for the fjord route which will take you past a number of charming little fishing villages or you can take the main road over the Breiddalsheidi Mountain Pass. You will then take the tunnel at Almannaskarð through to Höfn which lies right next to the Vatnajökull Glacier – the largest glacier in Europe and home to Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland (2119 metres above sea level). This is an area of incredible natural beauty complete with luscious vegetation and jet black glacier tongues extending from the mighty glacier itself.

At the foot of Vatnajökull lies the glacial lake of Jökulsárlón. Icebergs that have broken off from the glacier float around in these waters, offering up an absolutely magical sight to behold. It is also a great spot to appreciate this thousand-year-old mass of ice in its pure, clear blue colours. A kilometre long river runs from the lagoon out into the Atlantic Ocean. Before the day is over we recommend also making a visit to Skaftafell National Park, an oasis surrounded by glaciers and black lava beaches. You will then head to Kirkjubæjarklaustur where you will spend the night.

Today is all about Landmannalaugar which is often described as the pearl of the highlands. Right before you reach Landmannalaugar you will need to cross a river without a bridge. Awaiting on the other side is a breathtaking landscape full of lava fields and colourful mountains.

Enjoy a rejuvenating soak in a hot spring or explore Landmannalaugar on a hike (information about hiking in the area can be found at the Landmannalaugar Cabins). Afterwards you will then head back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and across the lava field of Eldhraun which was formed in 1783–84 during one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Along the way you will come across the gigantic volcanic canyon of Eldgjá. You can stop here and walk to the Ófærufoss Waterfall, which takes about an hour and a half.  You will then continue onwards to Reykjavík where you will spend the night.

Return flights either early in the morning or in the afternoon. Drive from Reykjavík to Keflavík airport (approx. 45 mins) and leave the car there in connection with your return flight.