Iceland : Fly, Drive & Hike

This itinerary allows for free days in which to enjoy hikes, however please contact us to discuss how we can adapt any of our self-drive itineraries to include more free time for walks, taking into account travelling distances and driving routes taken each day. Our Landmark Guide that we give to each self-drive booking also contains information about hiking routes in each region of Iceland.

2150 km (approx)

Day 1 Keflavik-Hveragerdi fly from the UK to Keflavik, collect your vehicle and drive to Hveragerdi. Check in at Hotel Ork for two nights, optional visit to the Blue Lagoon en route.

Day 2 Hveragerdi explore the Golden Circle route: Thingvellir National Park, the ancient assembly site and lake; two-tiered Gullfoss and the Geysir geothermal area.

Day 3 Hveragerdi-Skaftafell see magnificent Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss falls, stroll along the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey and walk through Fjadragljufur gorge. Spend two nights at Hotel Skaftafell.

Day 4 Skaftafell spend the day hiking in Skaftafell discovering spectacular glaciers, waterfalls and dramatic mountains.

Day 5 Skaftafell-Djupivogur drive eastwards along the south coast to the amazing iceberg lagoon of Jokulsarlon and walk along its shores, not forgetting to cross over the road to view icebergs scattered on the black sand beach by the shifting tides. Continue north through the towering East Fjords region to Djupivogur for an overnight at Hotel Framtid.

Day 6 Djupivogur-Borgarfjordur Eystri drive along the coastal road visiting picturesque fishing villages in the deep and colourful East Fjords. Head past the main town of Egilsstadir along winding roads to the charming and remote Borgarfjordur Eystri, where you check in at Guesthouse Alfheimar for a 2 night stay.

Day 7 Borgarfjordur Eystri day at leisure – perhaps take a days free guided hike among spectacular coloured rhyolite peaks as offered by the hotel (for guests staying 2 nts or more; arranged locally) or relax and soak up the scenery in this peaceful hideaway.

Day 8 Borgarfjordur Eystri-Lake Myvatn drive through a grey desert landscape to Jokulsagljufur National Park.  If you have a 4WD vehicle then take the road to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall (a new road suitable for non-4WD vehicles is hoped to open in summer 2010). Time for a short hike in the wooded gorge of Asbyrgi and then explore the Hljodaklettar volcanic plugs. Drive around the Tjornes Peninsula and check in at Hotel Sel Myvatn for a 3 night stay.

Day 9 Lake Myvatn enjoy hiking in the Krafla area, around the crater Viti and the mud pools of Namaskard.

Day 10 Lake Myvatn your choice of marvellous hiking routes at Lake Myvatn, taking in the Hverfjall crater, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjotagja fissure and Skutustadir’s pseudocraters.

Day 11 Lake Myvatn-Skagafjordur see beautiful Godafoss en route to Akureyri. Hike to Hraunvatn Lake, set among glaciated mountains and continue to Skagafjordur. Overnight at Hotel Varmahlid.

Day 12 Skagafjordur-Snaefellsnes drive to Stykkisholmur for an optional birding tour by boat (contact us to prebook). Walk among the craters and lava flows of Berserkjahraun then drive to Grundarfjordur and on to Hotel Hellnar for a two night stay.

Day 13 Snaefellsnes take a coastal walk to Arnarstapi and view its rock arches, sea stacks and basalt columns. Explore the cliffs, coves and rock formations of Snaefellsnes National Park at the foot of the volcano and icecap.

Day 14 Snaefellsnes-Reykjavik drive to Budir and walk through its beautiful mossy lava to a distinctively shaped crater. Then drive to Gardar and hike along the beach and with luck, spot seals. Drive to Reykjavik via Borgarnes (perhaps stopping enroute to explore historic Reykholt, as well as hotsprings and waterfalls close by), and overnight at Hotel Cabin.

Day 15 depart Keflavik drive to Keflavik, drop off rental vehicle and fly home.

Please note a 12 night version of this itinerary is available, which excludes the two days exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.  As with all of our self-drive holidays, we will be happy to amend the itinerary to suit your requirements; please contact us for a tailor-made quotation.