East Iceland Highlands
5
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Five days in East Iceland and the Highlands give you the full extraordinary sweep of Iceland's least visited and most dramatic interior, from the East Fjords and Seydisfjordur rainbow town to the Vestrahorn black sand reflection and Hofn langoustines, the extraordinary Landmannalaugar rhyolite Highland interior, the Thorsmork valley between two glaciers, and the return via Hekla volcano and the Geysir geothermal area. This route covers the complete East Iceland and Highlands experience. Egilsstadir, Hallormsstadir forest and Seydisfjordur, Vestrahorn and Jokulsarlon, Landmannalaugar with its geothermal pool and multicoloured mountains, Thorsmork with its extraordinary Markarfljot canyon and Godaland valley between the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers, and the return via Hekla and the Golden Circle geothermal area.
Best Time To Visit
Jun to Sep. Highland roads closed Oct to May.
Getting There
Fly Reykjavik to Egilsstadir (1 hour) or Ring Road drive.
Getting Around
4WD essential for Highland F-roads. River crossings required.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 45,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate to challenging. 4WD F-roads require experience.
DAY 1
EGILSSTADIR
MORNING
EGILSSTADIR AND HALLORMSSTADIR FOREST
Egilsstadir on the Lagarfljot lake is the most extraordinary gateway to East Iceland, its remarkable position giving access to the entire East Fjord region. The extraordinary Hallormsstadir forest on the Lagarfljot shore is the largest woodland in Iceland, its remarkable birch, larch and spruce trees giving the most extraordinary walking experience in a country almost entirely without trees. The Lagarfljot lake is home to Lagarfljots-ormurinn, Iceland's lake monster tradition. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SEYDISFJORDUR, THE RAINBOW TOWN
Seydisfjordur deep in its extraordinary fjord is the most remarkable small town in East Iceland, its extraordinary rainbow-painted road leading to the blue Seydisfjardarkirkja church giving the finest single townscape photograph in the east. The remarkable waterfalls cascading from both fjord walls above the town, the extraordinary arts scene and the Smyril Line ferry connection to Denmark give it unique character. The Tvísöngur sound sculpture on the hillside is outstanding. Travel: 1 hour drive to Hofn area
AFTERNOON
THE EAST FJORD RING ROAD DRIVE
The Ring Road south from Egilsstadir to Hofn is the most extraordinary coastal fjord drive in Iceland, the remarkable Djupivogur village with its Eggin in Gleedi bird egg sculptures, the extraordinary Lon lagoon wetland teeming with waders and the remarkable view of the Vatnajokull glacier appearing above the horizon as the road rounds into the southeast all outstanding. The extraordinary Hvalnes lighthouse peninsula gives the finest 360-degree coastal view.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tvísöngur sound sculpture above Seydisfjordur is the most extraordinary hidden installation in Iceland, five concrete domes resonating with Icelandic pentatonic tones. Entirely free. Reach it by a 15-minute walk from the town. The finest hidden artwork encounter in the whole country.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Egilsstadir Coffee and provisions before the forest walk. | Lunch: Cafe in Seydisfjordur Outstanding fjord cafe. Local fish soup and Icelandic skyr. | Dinner: Milk Factory Restaurant, Hofn Outstanding langoustine restaurant in the glacier town.
DAY 2
VESTRAHORN
MORNING
VESTRAHORN AND STOKKSNES AT DAWN
Vestrahorn's extraordinary 454-metre gabbro peak reflected in the Stokksnes black sand lagoon at high tide gives the most photographed mountain reflection in Iceland. The extraordinary approach through the Viking Cafe pays a nominal entry fee to the Stokksnes peninsula. At dawn before other visitors the extraordinary reflection of the jagged peak in the still lagoon is the finest single landscape in East Iceland. Check tide tables the night before. Approx 1,000 ISK entry. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
JOKULSARLON GLACIER LAGOON AND DIAMOND BEACH
Jokulsarlon's extraordinary floating icebergs calved from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in vivid blue and white fill the lagoon before flowing under the bridge to the sea. The remarkable Diamond Beach on the ocean side gives the most extraordinary natural sculpture gallery in Iceland, each piece of glacier ice unique on the black volcanic sand. The extraordinary seals that live permanently in the lagoon are outstanding. Shore viewing free. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SKAFTAFELL AND THE SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL
Svartifoss in the Skaftafell area drops over a horseshoe of perfectly hexagonal basalt columns that directly inspired the design of Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. The 45-minute walk from the Skaftafell visitor centre through extraordinary birch forest to the waterfall is the finest short Highland walk in Iceland. The extraordinary Vatnajokull glacier tongue visible from the upper path is outstanding. Parking approx 750 ISK, waterfall free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon 10km west of Jokulsarlon is the most extraordinary undiscovered glacier lagoon in Iceland, smaller and less visited with the glacier face extraordinarily close. Entirely free. Almost no other visitors. The finest hidden alternative to the famous Jokulsarlon.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Viking Cafe, Stokksnes Coffee before the dawn Vestrahorn shoot. | Lunch: Pakkhus, Hofn Outstanding langoustine restaurant. The finest in Iceland. | Dinner: Cafe at Skaftafell or Hofn Outstanding glacier park cafe or return to Hofn for langoustines.
DAY 3
LANDMANNALAUGAR
MORNING
DRIVE TO LANDMANNALAUGAR VIA F225
The F225 Highland road to Landmannalaugar is the most extraordinary mountain drive in Iceland, the remarkable Jokula a Fjallabaki river crossing and the extraordinary approach through obsidian lava fields and rhyolite mountains giving the finest Highland road experience in the country. The extraordinary multicoloured peaks in green, pink, red and yellow rhyolite become visible on the final approach. 4WD mandatory, river crossing required. Check road.is. Travel: 1 hour walk and soak
MIDDAY
LANDMANNALAUGAR NATURAL HOT SPRING AND LAVA WALK
The Landmannalaugar natural geothermal pool flowing from beneath the Laugahraun lava field is the most extraordinary free bathing experience in Iceland, the warm water emerging at the lava edge giving the finest natural pool in the country. The extraordinary Laugahraun lava field walk around the pool edge gives views of the coloured mountains above. The Laugavegur multi-day trail begins here. Pool entirely free. Hut cafe serves hot lamb soup. Travel: 1 hour drive via F208
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO THORSMORK VIA EMSTRUR
The drive from Landmannalaugar south toward Thorsmork on the F208 crosses the extraordinary Emstrur wilderness, the most remote inhabited area of the Icelandic Highlands, the remarkable Markarfljot river canyon visible from the Highland road and the extraordinary twin glaciers of Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull ahead giving the finest Highland panorama in Iceland. Multiple river crossings required. Check road.is.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Brennisteinsalda mountain above Landmannalaugar is the most extraordinary coloured peak in Iceland, its stripes of green, red, yellow and black rhyolite and obsidian visible from the camp. Summit walk approximately 1.5 hours return. Entirely free. The finest peak in the Icelandic Highlands.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pack provisions Early departure. No facilities on the Highland roads between Hofn and Landmannalaugar. | Lunch: Landmannalaugar hut cafe Outstanding Highland hut cafe. Hot lamb soup after the geothermal pool. | Dinner: Thorsmork hut or Basar guesthouse Outstanding Highland dinner. Book dinner at the hut in advance.
DAY 4
THORSMORK
MORNING
THORSMORK VALLEY BETWEEN TWO GLACIERS
Thorsmork is the most extraordinary valley in the Icelandic Highlands, its remarkable position between the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers giving the finest combined glacier and valley scenery in Iceland. The extraordinary Krossarjokull glacier tongue descending directly into the valley from Myrdalsjokull is the finest glacier close approach in the Highlands. The remarkable birch forest in the valley bottom, extraordinary in a treeless landscape, is outstanding. Travel: 1 hour walk
MIDDAY
GODALAND AND THE MARKARFLJOT CANYON
Godaland is the most extraordinary hidden section of Thorsmork, its remarkable valley of strange rock formations, the extraordinary Trollakirkja troll church basalt column and the remarkable Markarfljot canyon with its extraordinary 50-metre vertical walls giving the finest gorge in the Highlands. The walk from the Basar hut to Godaland takes approximately 45 minutes through extraordinary terrain. The views of both glaciers from the Godaland ridge are outstanding. Travel: 2 hour drive via F249
AFTERNOON
DRIVE OUT VIA SELJALANDSFOSS
The exit from Thorsmork via the F249 river crossings onto the Ring Road passes the extraordinary Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls on the South Coast, the remarkable walk behind Seljalandsfoss accessible in summer giving a final South Coast waterfall experience before the Highland return journey. The extraordinary view of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier directly above Seljalandsfoss from below is the finest glacier-and-waterfall combination in Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Trollakirkja basalt column in Godaland is the most extraordinary hidden rock formation in the Highlands, a remarkable tall basalt column in the extraordinary Godaland valley used as a troll church in Icelandic folklore. 15 minutes walk from the Basar hut. Entirely free. The finest hidden geological feature in the Thorsmork valley.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Thorsmork hut Outstanding Highland hut breakfast before the valley walk. | Lunch: Picnic in Godaland Pack provisions. Eat in the extraordinary troll church valley. | Dinner: Restaurant near Selfoss Outstanding South Iceland lamb on the return toward Reykjavik.
DAY 5
HEKLA AND GEYSIR
MORNING
HEKLA, ICELAND'S MOST ACTIVE VOLCANO
Hekla is the most extraordinary active volcano in Iceland, erupting more than 20 times since 874 AD and most recently in 2000. The extraordinary approach on the F225 road gives the finest view of the 1,491-metre peak with its remarkable glaciated summit. Hekla erupts without warning and approaches above 200 metres on the volcano slope are discouraged by Icelandic authorities. The extraordinary lava fields from the 1970 and 2000 eruptions are visible from the road. Check vedur.is before visiting. Travel: 30 min drive to Geysir
MIDDAY
THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA
The Geysir geothermal area with the erupting Strokkur geyser firing every 5 to 8 minutes gives a final extraordinary geothermal encounter before the return to Reykjavik. The extraordinary Geysir hot spring, the original geyser that gave all geysers their name, and the remarkable surrounding fumaroles and boiling pools complete the extraordinary Highland circuit. Entirely free. Travel: 1 hour drive to Reykjavik
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO REYKJAVIK
The final drive from Geysir to Reykjavik via Thingvellir gives the extraordinary option of a final stop at the Thingvellir rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates visibly pull apart. The remarkable Law Rock where Iceland's parliament met from 930 AD gives the finest historical farewell to the extraordinary five-day Highland circuit. The drive from Thingvellir to Reykjavik takes approximately 45 minutes.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hekla eruption warning system at vedur.is shows seismic tremor data in real time. The extraordinary sight of Hekla's glaciated summit steaming gently from volcanic heat is visible from the F225 road in clear weather. The most extraordinary active volcano landscape accessible by road in Iceland. Check status before every visit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Guesthouse near Selfoss Breakfast before the Hekla approach. | Lunch: Geysir Center cafe Outstanding cafe at the extraordinary geothermal area. Lamb soup and Icelandic bread. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Reykjavik Outstanding final Icelandic meal. Local lamb and the finest skyr dessert.
Where To Stay
Egilsstadir, Night 1 Hotel Valaskjalf or Guesthouse. Town centre. Approx 16,000 to 28,000 ISK. Hofn, Night 2 Hotel Hofn or Milk Factory Hotel. Glacier town. Approx 15,000 to 28,000 ISK. Landmannalaugar, Night 3 Landmannalaugar mountain hut. Book at fi.is well in advance. Approx 8,000 to 12,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Never drive an F-road in a standard car. Rental insurance is void off paved roads. 4WD only.
2. Book Landmannalaugar hut at fi.is months in advance. Summer nights fill up extremely quickly.
3. Vestrahorn reflection is finest at high tide at dawn. Check tide tables at vedur.is the night before.
4. Thorsmork has multiple mandatory river crossings. Check water levels at road.is every morning.
5. Hekla has erupted without warning. Check vedur.is before approaching and stay on marked paths.
6. The East Fjords are the least visited part of Iceland. The Ring Road south of Egilsstadir is extraordinary.
Total Budget
20,000 to 45,000 ISK/day