Iceland : 4WD Adventure

2580 km (approx)

Day 1 Reykjavik fly from the UK to Keflavik and transfer to Reykjavik for an overnight stay.

Day 2 Reykjavik-Highland collect your vehicle (minimum category G) and drive to Thingvellir National Park. Onwards over the Lyngdalsheidi mountain pass for a first taste of unpaved roads - visit Geysir and Gullfoss then overnight at Hotel Highland (please note that accommodation in this area is very limited and popular; we are able to offer other options approx. one hour's drive from this location).

Day 3 Highland-Akureyri today is the first real highland adventure: a long day's drive north on the Sprengisandur* mountain road. Take in magnificent views as you drive between the Hofsjokull and Vatnajokull glaciers before spending the night in Akureyri.

Day 4 Akureyri-Myvatn visit beautiful Godafoss and explore the marvels of the Myvatn region where you will stay at a lakeside hotel for two nights. 

Day 5 Myvatn drive to the Jokulsa Canyon National Park, take a hike to ‘Echo Rocks’ and see Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Perhaps take an optional whale watching trip (bookable and payable in advance - please contact us) from nearby Husavik. 

Day 6 Myvatn-Egilsstadir head south to the wilds of Mount Askja, a huge volcanic caldera. Hike to the lake-filled Viti crater, where it is possible to bathe in the naturally warm water. Continue east on the F910 track through Hrafnkelsdalur and perhaps spot reindeer, a non-native species that roams only this area of Iceland. Check in for a three night stay in the Egilsstadir area. 

Day 7 Egilsstadir travel to Borgarfjordur Eystri and drive one of the most scenic 4WD tracks in Iceland to the bays of Breidavik, Husavik and the deserted fjord, Lodmundarfjordur.

Day 8 Egilsstadir venture into the eastern highlands, driving along Lake Logurinn to Mount Snaefell at the northeast corner of Vatnajokull glacier where there is another good chance of seeing reindeer. Depending on the weather, an alternative route today would be to drive to the isolated lighthouse, Dalatangi, on the track along narrow Mjoifjordur.

Day 9 Egilsstadir-Skaftafell continue south along the East Fjords and visit Jokulsarlon, where re recommend taking an optional boat trip among the icebergs (payable in advance - please contact us). Huge chunks of ice often wash up along the shores of the black sand beach, at the other side of the bridge, providing memorable photo opportunities. Check in at Hotel Skaftafell for a 2 night stay. 

Day 10 Skaftafell explore Skaftafell National Park and hike to Svartifoss, a particularly beautiful smaller waterfall surrounded by basalt columns. 

Day 11 Skaftafell-Kirkjubaerjarklaustur take an excursion along another mountain track to Laki, a series of craters which produced an enormous lava flow in 1783, before heading west along Road 1 to Kirkjubaerjarklaustur for an overnight stay.

Day 12 Kirkjubaerjarklaustur-Hotel Ranga a long day filled with adventure lies ahead! Drive to Eldgja Gorge, for a hike to the waterfall Ofaerufoss. Then head to breathtaking Landmannalaugar, a favourite with those whose enjoy outdoor bathing because of its many hot springs. The colourful rhyolite mountains are a photographer’s surreal dream. Drive along the foot of Mount Hekla and take in the Landmannahellir lake-filled crater and haunted cave! This, along with Ljotipollur and Veidvotn, is an area of many lake-filled craters, set among the natural fissures of this remarkable region. Continue in a westerly direction before taking Road 1 towards Hvolsvollur. Check in at luxurious log cabin-style Hotel Ranga for a 2 night stay.

Day 13 Hotel Ranga travel to Thorsmork nature reserve, an oasis of green set amongst glaciers on three sides – excellent walking country. Alternatively, head east along Road 1 to the beautiful falls at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, and explore the black sand beach at Vik.

Day 14 Hotel Ranga-Reykjavik perhaps explore along the south coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, with its many lighthouses, before heading back towards Reykjavik to return rental vehicle and for an overnight stay.

Day 15 depart Keflavik transfer to Keflavik airport for the return flight to the UK.

Please note- driving outside official tracks is prohibited by law in Iceland because of damage to the environment. Driving through rivers is not covered by insurance. The tracks mentioned above require a minimum category G (high clearance) vehicle.

*An alternative to the Sprengisandur is the Kjolur track through the Highlands (which runs between the Langjokull and Hofsjokull glaciers); this offers a less adventurous route as most of the rivers and streams are bridged.