Iceland – 13-Day Tour – Easy Level

Day 1 – Djúpalónssandur beach and three other sites

Driving time for the day: 3 h 30 m, 250 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 1 h 15 m

For this first day of adventure in Iceland, we invite you to explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula, a natural jewel that does not require long hikes, but is full of must-see sights and short, rewarding walks.

Your day begins with a drive along a winding track through Berserkjahraun, a 4,000-year-old lava field surrounded by majestic volcanoes. Next, you will discover the famous Kirkjufell waterfalls, one of Iceland’s most iconic and most photographed sites. This magical place, with Kirkjufell mountain as a backdrop, offers a spectacular view that will enchant you.

Your exploration continues with a walk along the majestic black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur. Known for its impressive rock formations, this beach is one of the most amazing places to explore in western Iceland. Venturing onto this unique beach is like stepping into a fairy tale world, surrounded by striking volcanic landscapes and the remains of the ship Epine GY7.

At the end of the day, take a stroll along the coastline of the charming fishing village of Arnarstapi. This picturesque enclave is a nature lovers’s paradise, offering breathtaking views of steep cliffs populated by many species of seabirds.

Overnight stay: Many options in the region.

Day 2 – Thingvellir National Park and two other sites

Driving time for the day: 4  h 20 m, 315 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 1 h 30 m

To start your day, we suggest you discover Hraunfossar, one of Iceland’s most unique waterfalls. These fascinating cascades are created by streams that flow from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Hraunfossar has an unparalleled charm and the turquoise hues of the river offers a spectacle of almost unreal beauty.

Continue your discovery by diving into Thingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most iconic destinations. This exceptional site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is of inestimable historical, cultural and geological importance. Located in a rift valley, Thingvellir marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

To end the day on a high note, admire the Brúarfoss waterfalls, famous for their bright blue water.

Overnight stay: Campsite or hotel between Brúarfoss and Geysir.

Day 3 – Hveradalir geothermal area and two other sites

Driving time for the day: 2 h 20 m, 100 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 2 h

Start the day with a visit to Geysir, an iconic geothermal site in Iceland. Here you can admire Strokkur, a spectacular geyser that shoots water up to about 30 meters every 5 to 8 minutes.

Continue on to the majestic Gullfoss waterfalls. These waterfalls will amaze you with their impressive flow and the power of the water as it plunges into the canyon below.

To round off this unforgettable day, take a short hike to Hveradalir, one of the largest and most impressive geothermal areas in Iceland. Nestled in the heart of the majestic Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, this region offers an extraordinarily rich natural spectacle. You will be fascinated by the site’s vibrant colors and geological diversity, with its bubbling mud pools, steaming rivers, and mysterious fumaroles. A total immersion in one of the country’s most captivating natural treasures.

Overnight stay: Campsite or hotel in Kerlingarfjöll. Relax after the hike at the hot spring in Kerlingarfjöll.

Day 4 – Ljótipollur lake and three other sites

Driving time for the day: 4 h 15 m, 220 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 1 h 30 m

On this fourth day, get ready for a long drive to Landmannalaugar, nestled in the heart of the Icelandic highlands. Along the way, you will be amazed by some of the most beautiful views of your trip and enjoy a short hike around the impressive Ljótipollur crater.

Your adventure begins with a visit to the Háifoss waterfalls, the third highest in Iceland at 122 meters. Then stop at the Sigöldugljúfur canyon, one of the country’s hidden gems. Still little frequented by tourists, this canyon is a true oasis in the middle of the highlands, offering a lush of vegetation rare in the region.

Continue your exploration towards Lake Bláhylur, located near Landmannalaugar. Here, the landscape is simply magnificent: the intense blue of the lake contrasts beautifully with the bright green moss of Mount Tjörvafell and the dark shades of the surrounding lava.

To round off this day full of discoveries, hike around the crater and lake of Ljótipollur, true jewels of the Landmannalaugar region. This volcanic crater, formed by a colossal eruption in 1477, has gradually filled with water, creating a spectacular lake in the heart of this unique landscape.

Overnight stay: Landmannalaugar campsite (days 4 and 5).

Day 5 – Bláhnúkur – Brennisteinsalda

Driving time for the day: 0 km
Difficulty of the hike: Moderate
Duration: 4 h

This circuit combines the most beautiful parts of the Bláhnúkur and Brennisteinsalda routes, two emblematic mountains and volcanoes of the region, and allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of the most spectacular landscapes of Landmannalaugar. This exceptional hike promises breathtaking views at every turn.

Climbing the two peaks, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the lava fields, the multicolored mountains, and the surrounding valleys. The vibrant colors and unique geological formations of this region create a landscape of unparalleled beauty. Nature reveals its wonders at every turn, making this hike an unforgettable experience for all nature lovers.

Overnight stay: Landmannalaugar campsite (days 4 and 5).

Day 6 – Rauðauga

Driving time for the day: 3 to 4 h, 95 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 3 h 30 m

Rauðauga, or Red Eye in Icelandic, is a unique river spring. With a high iron content, its waters have given the riverbed and waterfalls a distinctive red color. This enchanting place, still largely unknown, is located in the heart of the Highlands, in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Here you will discover an impressive 60 meters high waterfall, cascades, and a red river that winds its way through the landscape.

Sveinstindur

Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 2 h

To reach Langisjór, you will have to cross your first rivers in a 4×4, an experience that will be repeated throughout the trip. The road is long, but breathtakingly beautiful, giving you the feeling of traveling to another world.

Once there, a memorable hike awaits you to the summit of Sveinstindur, which rises to an altitude of 1089 meters. Lost in the heart of the Highlands, this summit emerges in the middle of a vast desert of black sand surrounded by green mountains. The ascent of Sveinstindur offers spectacular views of Langisjór, and the isolation of this place makes for an unparalleled experience. From the top, you will be rewarded with one of the most sublime panoramas in Iceland, a breathtaking view that makes this hike absolutely unique.

Overnight stay: Rudimentary campsite or Langisjór lodge.

Day 7 – Eldgjá canyon

Driving time for the day: 4 h, 120 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 2 h

Eldgjá, which means “canyon of fire” in Icelandic, is part of an impressive chain of volcanic craters and fissures stretching 40 kilometers from the northeast of the Katla volcano to the Vatnajökull ice cap. Eldgjá itself is the eight kilometer long canyon in the middle of the fissure.

Beyond the awe-inspiring canyon, this route also takes you to the magnificent Ófærufoss waterfall. This multi-tiered cascade resonates in the midst of this striking and devastated landscape.

Rauðibotn crater

Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 2 h 30 m

The Rauðibotn crater is part of the Eldgjá canyon, the largest volcanic canyon in the world, formed by the colossal eruption of the Katla volcano in the 10th century. This true undiscovered gem of the Highlands reveals extraordinary landscapes that are still little explored by visitors.

Its name, meaning “red bottom”, refers to the bright red volcanic rock that makes up the crater, creating a striking contrast with the yellow moss that surrounds it and the deep blue of the nearby lake and Hólmsá river.

Note: To reach the starting point of the hike, do not take the F233, which your GPS will certainly recommend. Although it is a shortcut, it involves crossing one of Iceland’s most difficult rivers. Instead, continue on the F208 until the junction with the F210.

Overnight stay: Return to Route 1 (Iceland’s ring road) and civilization! You will find many campsites and hotels.

Day 8 – Laki craters

Driving time for the day: 2 h 30 m, 75 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 1 h 45 m

Explre the Lakagígar, or Laki Craters, a series of 130 craters aligned over 27 kilometers along a volcanic fissure open on either side of the Laki. They were formed during an eruption that began in 1783, called Skaftáreldar (“the fires of Skaftá”), which spewed out 14 cubic kilometers of lava over the course of 8 months. This eruption had a major impact on a global scale and caused the death of a quarter of the Icelandic population.

After your hike, take the F207 road to continue exploring the region’s incredible landscapes. This road will allow you to discover more impressive craters and spectacular viewpoints.

Overnight stay: Lakagigar campsite or lodge.

Day 9 – Fjadrárgljúfur canyon and two other sites

Driving time for the day: 3 h, 120 km
Difficulty of the hike: Very easy
Duration: 1 h

To start the day in style, explore the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, a true natural wonder that was carved out some 10,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age. This spectacular canyon, which is 2 kilometers long and up to 100 meters high, offers breathtaking scenery. At the end of the walk through the canyon, you will find a viewing platform with a breathtaking view of one of the most spectacular parts of the site, including the picturesque Mögárfoss waterfall.

Continue your adventure with a short walk through Vatnajökull National Park to the Svartifoss waterfall. Fed by meltwater from the Svinafellsjökull glacier, this popular waterfall cascades 20 meters over a cliff adorned with tall, black, hexagonal basalt columns.

Finish your day with a visit to the Svínafell glacier, one of the many glacier tongues from Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Europe, covering 11% of Iceland’s surface. This impressive glacier is 8 kilometers long and 800 meters wide. A short walk takes you right up to this majestic glacier and its lake dotted with small icebergs, offering an unforgettable experience in the heart of Icelandic nature.

Overnight stay: Numerous campsites and hotels in the area.

Day 10 – Múlagljúfur canyon and three other sites

Driving time for the day: 2 h, 140 km
Difficulty of the hike: Easy
Duration: 2 h 15 m

The Múlagljúfur canyon is a must-see destination in southeastern Iceland. Located near the famous Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glaciers, this natural gem was a well-kept secret among locals until the early 2020s. However, its popularity continues to grow, and it is set to become a major attraction in the years to come. Take the opportunity to explore this exceptional place now!

In the heart of this narrow and spectacular canyon lie the majestic waterfalls of Hangandifoss and Múlafoss. At 123 meters high, Hangandifoss is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland and offers a breathtaking spectacle.

In the afternoon, you will explore the lagoons of Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, true natural wonders. These lakes are populated by icebergs that break off from the surrounding glaciers, creating an ever-changing spectacle of ice sculptures. In the background, the imposing Vatnajökull ice cap adds a grandiose dimension to this enchanting landscape.

Finally, be enchanted by Diamond Beach, a unique stretch of black sand. Its evocative name comes from the icebergs of all sizes that wash up on the beach, sparkling like diamonds in the sun. The spectacle is both magnificent and ephemeral: every day, the beach is completely transformed. The natural ice sculptures are constantly changing, some melting while new ones are thrown up on the shore.

Overnight stay: Campsite or guesthouse at the Viking Café in Vestrahorn (next morning’s destination). Your stay here includes tickets to Stokksnes beach, where you can watch the sun set on this spectacular beach.

Day 11 – Vestrahorn and Stokksnes beach

Driving time for the day: 4 h, 290 km

Vestrahorn is a majestic mountain reaching a height of 454 meters. Although it is not particularly high, its steep slopes and distinctive silhouette make it spectacular. It overlooks the magnificent black sand beach of Stokksnes, bordered by green dunes. Stokksnes beach is particularly popular with photographers because of the reflections of Vestrahorn in the bay and the dunes that contrast beautifully with the black sand.

Between the Viking Café and the beach, you can also visit a Viking village that was reconstructed for the purposes of a movie that, funnily enough, was never actually filmed!

Thakgil: Purple trail

Difficulty of the hike: Moderate
Duration: 4 h 30 m

Thakgil has a mystical atmosphere, reminiscent of the enchanting scenery of Thórsmörk. This unique site is characterized by its gorges and canyons with vertiginous walls covered with green moss that contrasts beautifully with the intense black of the volcanic rock.

This hike offers spectacular views, especially of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and its glaciers Kötlujökull and Huldujökull.

Overnight stay: Camping or hut in Thakgil.

Day 12 – Skógá Waterfall Way and three other sites

Driving time for the day: 1 h 15 m, 55 km
Difficulty of the hike: Moderate
Duration: 5 h 30 m

Start your day with a visit to Reynisfjara beach, often considered the most beautiful beach in Iceland. This vast expanse of black sand dotted with pebbles is very popular with visitors and is bordered by the imposing basalt cliffs of Reynisfjall. At the foot of these cliffs you can explore several caves and admire the basalt columns with their perfect geometric shapes, creating a unique and fascinating landscape.

Continue your day by discovering the Kvernufoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s hidden treasures, although it is only one kilometer from the very popular Skógafoss waterfall. Kvernufoss is 30 meters high and flows into a narrow gorge where the Kverna river winds its way, offering an intimate and picturesque setting away from the crowds.

In the afternoon, set off on a hike along the Skógá waterfall trail. The route starts at Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, and immediately offers spectacular views. This trail takes you away from the crowds of Skógafoss to discover the tranquility and wild beauty of Iceland’s landscapes.

Following the Skógá river, which has its source in the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, the trail winds through a landscape dotted with more than twenty waterfalls. If the full route is too long, you can do just a part of it (more information on the hiking sheet).

Overnight stay: Campsite or hotel in Skóga.

Day 13 – Seljalandsfoss waterfall + Others

Driving time for the day: 2 h, 150 km

Start your last day with a visit to Seljalandsfoss, a majestic 60 meter high waterfall. What makes Seljalandsfoss unique is that it can be admired from all angles. The cliffs behind the waterfall hide a vast cavern, and a well-maintained path allows you to walk around the waterfall.

Then head west, where you can choose to visit Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital, or relax at one of the region’s iconic spots: the Blue Lagoon, a famous geothermal spa on the Reykjanes peninsula, or the Reykjadalur thermal river.