12-Day Iceland Ring Road Tour with Highlands and Westfjords

Pickup is at 7:00 AM in Reykjavík at one of our pickup spots. We then drive south to Landeyjahöfn harbor, where a 30-minute ferry crosses to the Westman Islands. Until late August, Stórhöfði Cape is the place to get up close to Atlantic puffins, the islands’ oldest residents. 

At Eldheimar Museum, learn about the 1973 eruption, when the whole population had to evacuate in the middle of the night. Afterward, take a short hike up Mt. Eldfell volcano or spend some time in town before the afternoon ferry back.

Back on the mainland, we head east along the South Coast, with views of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls beside the road. Above them looms Eyjafjallajökull, the infamous volcano that erupted in 2010. In Vík, walk around the village or head down to the black-sand beach. From there, it’s about an hour through the Eldhraun lava field to your hotel.

Start with a walk along Fjaðrárgljúfur, a 100 m (328 ft) deep canyon carved by glacial meltwater around 9,000 years ago. Then we drive mountain tracks into the western highlands of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Mt. Laki. The mountain stands in the middle of Lakagígar, a row of more than 130 craters stretching over 29 km (18 miles). From its 818 m (2,684 ft) summit, you’ll see the craters lined up on both sides.

These craters formed during the 1783 to 1784 eruption, one of the biggest in recorded history. The famine that followed killed one in five Icelanders, and the Eldhraun lava field you crossed yesterday came from these same craters.

Later, stop in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where a convent of nuns was founded in 1186. Systrafoss (Sisters’ Falls) and Systrastapi (Sisters’ Rock) are both named after the nuns and the legends told about them. 

Nearby, Kirkjugólf (Church Floor) looks just like its name, although no church ever stood there. What seem like neatly laid tiles are the tops of basalt columns, six-sided pillars formed by cooling lava. Then it’s back to the same hotel for a second night.

Today we head back to Reykjavík via Fjallabaksleið nyrðri, an F-road (one of Iceland’s mountain roads), with a few highland attractions along the way. Our first stop is Eldgjá, part of Katla’s volcanic system. The canyon is about 8 km (5 miles) long, 600 m (1,969 ft) wide, and up to 150 m (492 ft) deep, and it belongs to a 75 km (47-mile) fissure that erupted between 934 and 940. Hike in the canyon to Ófærufoss, a multi-tiered waterfall. Until 1993, a natural stone arch crossed its lower drop, but nature brought it down.

Next is Landmannalaugar, where mountains of rhyolite (a silica-rich volcanic rock) come in reds, yellows, greens, and blues. You’ll have about 2 hours here. Walk the Laugahraun lava field, covered in black obsidian (volcanic glass) from around 1477, or climb Mt. Brennisteinsalda (Sulfur Wave), the area’s most colorful peak. You can also relax in a natural geothermal pool at 36 to 40°C (96 to 104°F).

Lastly, we stop at Hjálparfoss in Þjórsárdalur valley, a two-step waterfall near where the Fossá and Þjórsá rivers meet. We then reach Reykjavík around 8 PM.

Pickup is at 8:00 AM in Reykjavík at one of our pickup spots, and we’ll start with the Golden Circle. At Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Icelanders founded the Alþingi in 930 CE, one of the world’s first democratic parliaments. The park also marks the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are slowly drifting apart. 

In the Geysir geothermal area, Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting water 15 to 20 m (49 to 66 ft) into the air. Next is the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, where the Hvítá river, fed by the Langjökull glacier, drops in two stages into a canyon.

Back on the South Coast, we stop at Seljalandsfoss, where a path leads behind the falls (bring rain gear; you’ll get wet), then watch Skógafoss as its waters drop 60 m (197 ft), often with a rainbow in its spray. Finish at Reynisfjara, a black-sand beach with a basalt column cave and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, said to be trolls turned to stone by sunlight. In September, step outside the hotel after dark to look for the Northern Lights.

We head east past Mýrdalsjökull, the glacier that hides Katla volcano beneath its ice, and back into Vatnajökull National Park, this time on its southern side along the Ring Road. The park covers nearly 15,000 km² (5,780 sq miles), about 15% of Iceland, making it the country’s largest protected area. At its center is Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier.

Inside the park, we meet our guide and gear up for a hike on one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers, tongues of ice flowing down from the main ice cap. Expect ice formations, deep crevasses, and bright blue ice up close.

Later, we continue to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs break off Breiðamerkurjökull, another Vatnajökull outlet, and float in shades of blue and white. Some drift from the lagoon onto nearby Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur), where they sparkle against the black volcanic sand. We spend the night at a hotel in Southeast Iceland.

The East Fjords (Austfirðir) bring sharp mountain peaks, quiet fjords, and small coastal villages. Keep an eye out for reindeer along the way, and puffins in summer.

Our first village is Djúpivogur, a community of around 400 people and part of Cittaslow, an international network of towns that value local food, crafts, nature, and a slower pace of life. You’ll see some of that local character at Gleðivík bay, where Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay) lines up 34 oversized eggs, each a replica of an egg from a bird that nests in the area.

We then make a quick stop in Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, on the banks of Lagarfljót. Legend says a creature called the Lagarfljót Worm lurks beneath the surface. From town, we head inland to our home for the night, the Wilderness Center, a restored farm deep in Norðurdalur valley. Beyond it lies Northern Europe’s largest uninhabited area. The farm’s exhibition shows how people lived and traveled in remote rural Iceland in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today starts at Stuðlagil canyon, where basalt columns rise straight out of the turquoise Jökla river. For years, the powerful glacial river kept the canyon hidden. When a dam was built upstream, the water level dropped, and one of the country’s largest basalt formations came into view.

Next, we head west into the Mývatn area. At Námaskarð, you’ll see boiling mud pools and fumaroles, vents in the ground that release sulfur-scented steam. A short drive on, the shallow Mývatn lake holds over 50 small volcanic islands and plenty of birdlife. Nearby, you can also take a dip at Earth Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon of the North, as an optional extra at your own cost.

At Dimmuborgir (Dark Castles), an eruption around 2,300 years ago created a pond of lava. The outer layer cooled into a hard crust, and when the pond drained, these pillars were left standing. Some say the Yule Lads, Iceland’s 13 Christmas figures, live here. Our last stop of the day is Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods), where the Skjálfandafljót river drops 12 m (39 ft) over a 30 m (98 ft) wide horseshoe-shaped rock, split in two by a central ridge. From there, we continue to Akureyri for the night.

We start the day on the water with a whale-watching trip in Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord at more than 60 km (37 miles). With a 98% sighting success rate, you’ll likely spot humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, or other ocean wildlife.

Next is Siglufjörður, a small town with a colorful harbor and mountains all around. Once Iceland’s herring capital, it’s now home to the Herring Era Museum, Iceland’s largest maritime museum. TV fans may recognize the town too, as it was a primary filming location for the Icelandic crime series Trapped.

From there, we follow the coast around Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula), passing ski areas and small villages. We’ll make a few stops in Skagafjörður, known as Iceland’s horse capital. Out in the bay is Drangey island, where thousands of seabirds nest and the Viking Grettir the Strong once lived in exile. Then we continue through farmland to Laugarbakki for the night.

The final day of our Ring Road loop begins with a short hike up Grábrók crater for views over the surrounding lava fields. In Reykholt, we’ll stop briefly at Snorralaug, a hot spring pool named after 13th-century writer Snorri Sturluson.

Nearby, Deildartunguhver is Europe’s most powerful hot spring, with 180 liters (48 gallons) of boiling water gushing out every second. Most of the central heating in Borgarnes and Akranes comes from here. 

Next is Hraunfossar, where glacial meltwater seeps through the Hallmundarhraun lava field and spills out as countless small falls along a 900 m (2,953 ft) wide cliff. From there, it’s a few minutes’ walk to Barnafoss (Children’s Falls). Legend says two young boys drowned here after falling from a natural stone arch over the river, and their grieving mother had the arch torn down so no one could cross again.

To finish, we visit Sturlureykir horse farm to meet and pet friendly Icelandic horses, then head to Borgarnes for the night.

From Borgarnes, we head north to Eiríksstaðir, a reconstructed 10th-century longhouse at the farm where Erik the Red lived and his son, renowned explorer Leif Eiríksson, was born. The longhouse was built with the same methods, tools, and materials used a thousand years ago, and its dim timber interior offers a direct look into Viking life.

Once we’re in the Westfjords, we’ll drive along the rocky coast of Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve, past quiet coves and deep-blue water. A bit further on, we stop at the Garðar shipwreck, an old rusted boat resting on a black-sand beach, worn thin by decades of wind and salt.

Next is Látrabjarg, one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs and Iceland’s westernmost point. The cliffs stretch 14 km (8.7 miles) and rise up to 441 m (1,447 ft), and until late August, puffins often gather on the grassy ledges near the top. We end the day at Breiðavík, a rare golden-sand beach framed by blue water and green hills, before heading to our hotel.

Our first stop is Rauðisandur, a 10 km (6.2-mile) beach with sand in shades of red and gold. The color comes from crushed scallop shells, a rare sight on Iceland’s mostly black coastline. After passing the quiet hills of Fossfjörður valley, we reach Dynjandi, a chain of six waterfalls. The biggest, at the top, drops about 100 m (328 ft) in wide, layered steps; the whole area has been a protected natural monument since 1981.

Next, we stop at the Önundarfjörður pier, a simple wooden walkway reaching into turquoise water, with white sand along the shore. Then it’s up to the viewing platform on Bolafjall mountain, 636 m (2,087 ft) high, with views over Ísafjarðardjúp and Jökulfirðir fjords.

We spend the night in Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. With around 2,800 residents, its small streets are perfect for an evening walk.

Our final morning begins at Ósvör, a restored 19th-century fishing station. Its turf huts and preserved rowboats show how Icelandic fishermen lived and worked on these harsh northern shores. Nearby, the red-orange Óshólar lighthouse marks the edge of the land.

The drive back follows the Seven Fjords Route, winding in and out of one fjord after another. In the village of Súðavík, we visit the Arctic Fox Center, dedicated to Iceland’s only native land mammal. You’ll learn how foxes and people have clashed here since the settlement, about 1,100 years ago, and why fox hunting is considered the oldest paid work in Iceland.

Keep an eye out for seals resting on the rocks at Hvítanes, between Hestfjörður and Skötufjörður fjords. After a last stop at the Gervidalsá valley stream, we head back to Reykjavík, arriving between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM depending on road and weather conditions.

Pickup starts at 7:00 AM on day 1 and 8:00 AM on day 4 from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so thank you in advance for your patience. Available pickup points: Arctic Adventures’ pickup list.

• Breakfast is included at every hotel. Lunch is at a stop chosen by your guide, and dinner is usually at the hotel. Other meals and drinks aren’t included.
• Each guest can bring one bag of up to 20 kg (44 lbs), with combined dimensions under 158 cm (62 in), plus a small backpack. Extra or heavier luggage needs storage booked in advance for a small fee, which you can add under Extras when booking.
• You can rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and pants when you book. Gear must be ordered in advance, as it can’t be rented on-site.
• Solo travelers can add a single supplement for a private room. Otherwise, you’ll share with another traveler of the same gender.
• Earth Lagoon on day 7 is an optional extra at your own cost.
• We recommend starting the tour at least one day after you arrive in Iceland.

• Expect about 300 km (186 miles), or 4 to 5 hours in the car, on an average day, plus stops.
• Standard rooms are twin rooms. Double or triple rooms are available on request at no extra charge. All hotels have free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle.
• Hotels listed in the itinerary may change during your trip.
• Depending on the weather, the glacier hike may take place on a different glacier or outlet glacier, such as Svínafellsjökull, Falljökull, or Sólheimajökull, each just as impressive.
• If the Wilderness Center is unavailable on day 6, we’ll arrange other accommodation, and your guide will pick another stop, such as the Technical Museum in Seyðisfjörður.
• The road up Bolafjall mountain is usually open from mid-June to mid-September, so some departures may skip the viewing platform.
• The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can’t be guaranteed. Your best chance is in September, when the nights get darker, and most hotels can wake you if the lights appear.
• Attractions, activities, and their order may change due to weather, road conditions, or other circumstances outside our control.