Geysir Strokkur erupting
Around Iceland with Hikes - 11 Days | Self Drive
Über die Reise
Our motto for 45 years has been „walk and enjoy“. On this classic round trip you will be able to explore Icleand´s untouched nature on foot. We have laid out for you an itinerary with detailed hike descriptions previously created for our group tours. Several exciting areas suitable for 2-5 hour long hikes will await you to explore with numerous diverse tours and attractions along the way. You will discover in one route the best Iceland has to offer while experiencing up close the contrasts and wonders of the country‘s nature. We will secure your accommodation and rental car for a hassle free, enjoyable vacation. Detailed route description, Travel App and further information upon booking.
Highlights
- Hike and walk along beautiful trails
- Delight in hot springs, glaciers and magnificent waterfalls
- Hike on Vatnajökull, Europe´s largest glacier
- Wander in the massive East Fjords and in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
- Enjoy the volcanic lake Mývatn and nature baths
- Visit the horse abundant Skagafjörður and Akureyri, the capital of the North
Leistungen
- 10 nights in three-star hotels or guesthouses, incl. breakfast
- 10 days rental car, incl. unlimited mileage, CDW, Icelandic VAT and pick-up/drop-off at the airport in Keflavík
- Detailed itinerary for each day and hiking descriptions
- Travel App
- Location description of your accommodation
- Road map 1:500 000
- Iceland Road and Travel Guide
- VAT and accommodation tax
- Insolvency Insurance
Not included:
Fuel, meals other than breakfast, admission to museums/exhibitions, GPS system and tunnel toll (Hvalfjörður). Extra driver €45.
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Reiseverlauf
1
Arrival
The rental car will be at Keflavík airport upon arrival. An optional detour can be a relaxing dip in the Blue Lagoon Spa on the way into the city. (reservation is required in the summer). 1 night in Reykjavík (ca. 50 km)
2
The hot springs in the Golden Circle
From the volcanic area of Hengill, the journey goes to the world-famous Þingvellir National Park. Hike in the impressive Almannagjá gorge to the Lögberg and to the Öxarárfoss (1 hour). Across a small plateau, you reach the village of Laugarvatn, where you can feel the soothing geothermal heat at the Fontana Spa. After a short drive through the hilly meadow and pasture landscape, you can take a walk along the hot springs in the Geysir area with the active Strokkur, which shoots a water fountain into the air every few minutes. At the gigantic waterfall Gullfoss, a hike above the gorge is worth it. On the way south, you can visit the Secret Lagoon in the village of Flúðir. Here you can bathe directly in natural hot springs and a small geyser! 1 overnight stay near Flúðir. (Approx. 170 km.)
3
The South Coast
Drive to the south coast of Iceland. Visit the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur – a state-of-the-art exhibition about volcanic activity in Iceland. Particularly notable is the waterfall Seljalandsfoss, which you can even view from behind! Another beautiful waterfall is Skógafoss. From there, you can hike along the Skógá River towards the Eyjafjallajökull volcano (1-2 hours). Alternatively, a walk to the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue is also possible (1 hour). In front of the village of Vík, you will find the Dyrhólaey Cape and the Reynisfjara beach. Recommended for hiking enthusiasts is the Fjarðrárgljúfur canyon near Kirkjubæjarklaustur. 1 overnight stay in the Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. (Approx. 180-250 km.)
4
The Ice Worlds of Vatnajökull
Through black sand deserts, you reach the hiking paradise Skaftafell. Here you can hike above jagged glacier tongues as well as to the famous waterfall Svartifoss. A simple glacier hike on the Falljökull with crampons and professional guides is also possible. For bird lovers, a ride with the hay wagon to Cape Ingólfshöfði for observing a puffin colony is recommended. As you continue your journey, you will reach the ice lagoons Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, with many opportunities for walks along the moraines by the lagoons or on the Atlantic. Boat trips are also possible, as is a tour by kayak amidst icebergs. 1 overnight stay in Höfn. (Approx. 200-270 km.)
5
The dramatic fjords of the East
After a short visit to Höfn, you travel into the rugged East Fjords. At Hvalnes, you can enjoy the view of the mountains on a coastal hike. In Djúpivogur, nature lovers can see many interesting species along the bird trail. Alternatively, you can stroll along the harbor of the town. It is also worth visiting Iceland’s largest private mineral collection in Stöðvarfjörður. Through the “beautiful valley” Fagridalur, you pass many waterfalls on your way to Egilsstaðir, where you can bathe a little further north in the pools of the magnificent Vök geothermal baths. 2 nights in or near Egilsstaðir. (Approx. 250 km.)
6
An Icelandic forest and the waterfall Litlanesfoss
Drive through the largest forest area in Iceland, Hallormsstaðarskógur. On the other side of the Lagarfljót River, a hiking trail leads to the famous Hengifoss, passing by Litlanesfoss with its long basalt columns (approx. 3 hours). Very close by, the Snæfellsstofa Information Center at Skriðuklaustur invites visitors to stop by. Gourmets can also visit the Klausturkaffi in the original stone house of Skriðuklaustur. Alternatively, you can visit the Icelandic Highland and Wilderness Center – Óbyggðasetur further inland and dive into the past in the lively exhibition there. Those who would like to hike or ride with a guide also have the opportunity to do so here.
7
Jökulsárgljúfur in Europe‘s biggest National Park
On the way north, you can visit the mighty Stuðlagil Gorge with its long basalt columns. On the Ring Road, you will pass through the desert landscape of Möðrudalsöræfi and continue northward to the Dettifoss waterfall with its massive volumes of water. Afterwards, you will hike in the Jökulsárgljúfur region of Vatnajökull National Park: a true paradise for nature and outdoor enthusiasts! Take your time for the unique “Echo Rocks” Hljóðaklettar with countless basalt formations and the forested Ásbyrgi Gorge. On the way to the fishing village of Húsavík, you can observe puffins on the cliffs of the Tjörnes Peninsula. In Húsavík, there is the GeoSea geothermal bath, which promises a revitalizing bathing experience, possibly even along with whale watching! You can increase your chances of spotting whales by participating in a whale watching tour. 2 nights in Húsavík or by Lake Mývatn. (Approx. 250 km.)
8
Nature paradise at Lake Mývatn
Around Lake Mývatn, the natural beauties can be explored today in complete peace. A longer hike can be undertaken from the bizarre lava labyrinth Dimmuborgir to the beautifully shaped explosion crater Hverfjall (2-3 hours). A well-known highlight in the region is the bubbling solfataras at the Námaskarð Pass. Very nearby, you can hike through the impressive, colorful lava fields of the Krafla volcano, which look as if they have just solidified. The blue crater lake Víti is also worth a short detour. Those who enjoy birdwatching can do so at the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir. Afterwards, you have definitely earned a bath in the milky-blue water of the Earth Lagoon, surrounded by black lava! (Approx. 150 km.)
9
Akureyri and Skagafjörður
On the way to the northern capital – Akureyri, you pass the Goðafoss waterfall, which plunges in two parts into the depths. In Akureyri, you can take in the city atmosphere on a stroll through town. The Hof cultural center and the lush botanical garden are also worth seeing. Those who want to talk with locals can visit the municipal swimming pool. Over the Öxnadalsheiði, you then drive into the Skagafjörður with the turf farm Glaumbær. South of Varmahlíð, a more demanding hike up the Mælifellshnúkur mountain (3-4 hours) or an easier hike from the Reykir parsonage to the Reykjafoss waterfall (approx. 2 hours) is possible. Also extremely popular is a horseback riding tour with Hestasport. 1 overnight stay in Skagafjörður. (Approx. 200 km.)
10
Back to Reykjavík
Today we travel from the north to the south. In the town of Blönduós, one can access the small island of Hrútey via a bridge. After crossing the Holtavörðuheiði plateau, the Grábrók crater offers a welcome opportunity for a short hike along the crater rim with views of the surrounding lava fields (about 1/2 hour). Alternatively, one can drive directly to Reykjavík or visit the sights in Borgarfjörður. These include the lava waterfalls Hraunfossar and the hot spring Deildartunguhver with the Krauma thermal bath. In Reykjavík, you can walk from Hallgrímskirkja church to the old harbor, exploring the city center with the town hall and the small squares with numerous restaurants and cafés. 1 overnight stay in Reykjavík or (with an early flight) in Keflavík. (Approx. 200 km).
11
Departure
Drive to the airport in Keflavík, where you return the rental car before catching your flight back home (ca. 50 km).
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