Driving the Ring Road in Iceland

1) Lake Mývatn, North Iceland

Unlike anything you’ve seen before, the Lake Mývatn area isn’t a place of trees and glaciers. It’s one of Iceland’s foremost geothermal areas and one of natural beauty. It offers remnants of geothermal activity and volcanic eruptions, that make up the ‘heat’ element that is so important in the land of ice and fire!

Pseudocraters, lava pillars, bubbling mud pools, steam vents and vast craters provide the geological wonders, while Barrow’s goldeneye and harlequin ducks take centre stage amongst the wildfowl for which the area is famed. The Earth Lagoon (formerly Mývatn Nature Baths) is a geothermal bathing experience to rival the Blue Lagoon.

Part of the Diamond Circle, Lake Mývatn is the gateway to the most compelling sights of the north east. Detour off the Road 1 to the town of Húsavík, Iceland’s whale watching capital, the canyon of Asbyrgi, and powerful Dettifoss waterfall.

2) Godafoss, North Iceland

Nowhere near the height of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss (see below), or the power of Dettifoss, what Godafoss lacks in height is made up for in its beauty. The ‘waterfall of the gods’ drops 12m in a horseshoe shape along the powerful Skjalfandi river. Its pleasing symmetry and easy access makes it a photographic hot spot.

3) The East Fjords

The East is a great part of the country to get off the beaten track and explore some of Iceland’s hidden gems. Some people who drive along Iceland’s magic circle, simply stop to refuel and stock up on supplies in Egilsstaðir before driving on. Big mistake! As the Ring Road circles around the eastern coast, the landscape becomes wilder and emptier. From near Hofn in the south east to Reydarfjordur in the East Fjords, Road 1 hugs the coastline before veering inland through rugged hinterland towards Egilsstaðir.

Detours along scenic fjords will lure you off track in the best way possible. And the scenery will have you pulling over and scrambling for your camera every few miles – whether it’s to capture a panoramic seascape of black-sand beaches and plummeting sea cliffs or to frame a waterfall dousing layer upon layer of ancient lava.

4) Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, South east Iceland

Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s most famous glacial lagoon. Hundreds of blue and shimmering white icebergs, calved from a sweeping glacier tongue off Vatnajökull, drift serenely towards the Atlantic Ocean in this magical place. Crystal-like bergs glitter on the adjacent black sand beach, commonly referred to as Diamond Beach, providing a roadside wonder that does not disappoint. Located in the southeast by Route 1, about halfway between the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Höfn, it is an unmissable stop when travelling around the ring road.

5) Skaftafell, South east Iceland

West of Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell is the gateway to Vatnajokull National Park and offers the perfect interlude from driving to stretch your legs. The visitor centre sits directly off the ring road providing easy access to numerous hiking trails that weave through a head-spinning landscape of peaks and glaciers, waterfalls tumbling over basalt cliffs and birch forests.

6) Skogafoss, South Iceland

One of Iceland’s most recognisable waterfalls – and star of tv ads, films and pop videos – there is something wondrous about Skogafoss. It tumbles 60m off a cliff edge like a shimmering 25m curtain. Sitting just off Road 1, it is a bit of tease as you drive along the ring road, appearing, then disappearing behind the angle of the rock face to lure you into the car park. As you stride along the black sand dashed with pebbles the full glory of this fabulous waterfall becomes apparent and you needn’t get too close before you feel the spray.

Skogafoss offers plenty of potential for creative photography from gargoyle-shaped rocks to resplendent rainbows caught in the spray. Climb the steps on the east side for an elevated perspective of this majestic waterfall and the surrounding countryside and perhaps set off on the hiking trail beside the Skógá river in search of more waterfalls.

Next door, a turf farm museum provides a cultural interlude.

7) Seljalandsfoss, South Iceland

This glorious (show-off of a) waterfall signals its existence way before you reach the turn off from Road 1. At least to drivers heading east. On the westbound route, keep an eye out for the signposts around about 30km west of Skoga. Another 60m waterfall, Seljalandsfoss surges over the cliff edge in a graceful cascade like liquid arrows. It is one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls in for its photogenic credentials but also as the only one you can walk behind, stepping through a shallow chiselled out cavern at the foot of the cliff. Watch your step and prepare to get wet.

Nearby, and much less extrovert, though no less spectacular, Gljufrafoss hides in a secluded rock chamber. It’s well worth seeking out.

8) Experiences along the way…

It’s not only scenic highlights that make driving the ring road such a compelling prospect. You can pepper your road trip with experiences such as a boat tour on Jokulsarlon, glacier hiking, horse riding, and plenty of hiking. If you’d like a break from the driving, how about factoring in a Superjeep day tour onto a glacier or into the Highlands? Iceland offers some of the best whale watching in Europe and the chance to encounters minke, humpback and even blue whales is well worth a detour off Road 1 at Mývatn to the fishing village of Húsavík, the country’s top cetacean hotspot.

9) Notable detours

If time allows, more in-depth exploration of Iceland might include detours to the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The expansive West Fjords with it’s jagged coastline could easily justify a week on its own. For a shorter detour in the north west, loop the Vatnsnes Peninsula from Hvammstangi stopping to admire the eye-catching rock formation of Hvitserkur. As tailor made specialists, we can make suggestions and create your trip your way.