![]() Leaving Dalir in the rearview mirror, the first Westfjordian town you’ll reach is Reykhólar, home to Sjávarböðin, a spa specialising in seaweed baths (said to have all manner of healing properties). From here, it’s a straight run back to Egilsstaðir for the last time – remember to watch out for reindeer! Drive back through Fáskrúðsfjörður to Stöðvarfjörður, where Petra’s Stone Collection museum amazes, showcasing the sheer variety of minerals that can be found in the mountains in the country’s east. Here, the maritime heritage of this region is honored in elegantly renovated historic houses: Randulfssjóhús in Eskifjörður and Beituskúrinn in Neskaupstaður, both of which now function as excellent, atmospheric restaurants. You must return to Egilsstaðir before moving on to the next fjords on the route: Eskifjörður and Neskaupstaður. It’s also a good base for hiking in the stunning surroundings, with the trek to Stórurð, a turquoise lake enclaved by massive boulders, a particularly popular route. Regardless, take the easy way back (Road 85 and Road 1) to Borgarfjörður eystri, and recharge at the village of Bakkagerði with a hotel and spa, puffin watching house and popular music festival Bræðslan, held in July. In summer, you could cross the spectacular mountain pass Hellisheiði eystri (Road 917) to get here – but with its narrow and steep gravel road, it’s not for the faint-hearted. First, visit the village of Vopnafjörður, home to Selárlaug, a swimming pool on the banks of a salmon-filled river, which is also popular for fishing. Set up camp in Egilsstaðir, and you’ll be in prime position to uncover the magical East Fjords. The museum is the former home of prominent Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. Local tip: Bookworms should also consider making a stop at Gljúfrasteinn museum in Mosfellsdalur. You drive through a summer house region – where city dwellers go for weekend breaks – and then onto the main road past the perfectly-circular Kerið crater lake, one of the obligatory Golden Circle stops.Īfter gawking at Gullfoss waterfall and spying Geysir (from which all other geysers take their name), you can drive back via Þingvellir National Park with a quick visit to the curious caves houses of Laugarvatnshellar. The road continues along placid lakes, including Úlfljótsvatn with a lonely church on its banks. Puffs of steam are the telltale sign that you’re approaching Nesjavallavirkjum Power Plant and the exclusive ION Adventure Hotel. Along the road are quite a few marked hiking trails, beckoning roadtrippers to temporarily ditch the car and get up-close-and-personal with the stunning landscape. It slings through moss-covered lava landscapes and up and down steep hills, with a breathtaking view of Þingvallavatn lake in the distance. Reykjavík – Reykjavík approx 225km (140 miles), 1 dayįor a different take on the Golden Circle – Iceland’s most popular day tour – try Nesjavallaleið (Road 435), which is open in the summer. Take Road 435 as an alternative to the Golden Circle Best road trip in summer Try taking an alternative route to reach Golden Circle landmark Gullfoss waterfall © Wesley Martinez Da Costa / Getty Images 2. Planning tip: You can do a round trip in less than a day, but it’s worth staying for a few days to fully explore the region. There are many more discoveries to be made on the route, including the windswept shore by Reykjanes lighthouse and Kleifarvatn lake (home, according to legend, to a wormlike monster the size of a whale), and there are myriad hiking trails. Nowhere else are the borders between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates as visible. All around are signs of geothermal and volcanic activity: the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon steam into the sky, while Geldingadalir (which erupted in 2021 and again in August 2022, but is now inactive) continues to wow visitors. ![]() Keflavík International Airport – Keflavík International Airport 75– 115km (50– 70 miles) 1 dayįrom Keflavík International Airport, the Blue Diamond tourist route loops around the otherworldly lava landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula, through quiet seaside villages and the wondrous Reykjanes Geopark, recognized as a Unesco Global Geopark in 2015. Hit the road on the Blue Diamond tourist route Best road trip for volcanic activity ![]() Get trusted guidance to the world's most breathtaking experiences delivered to your inbox weekly with our email newsletter. ![]()
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