10-Day Iceland Ring Road Adventure

10-Day Itinerary 47 Places Iceland

This 10-day Ring Road tour circles Iceland through the Golden Circle, South Coast, East Fjords, North and West Iceland, Snæfellsnes, and Reykjavík, mixing waterfalls, geothermal bathing, glaciers, black-sand shores, and volcanic scenery.

What to expect

Chase thundering falls, blue ice, and wide-open volcanic landscapes
Mix classic Ring Road sights with flexible adventures off the main route
Balance coastal walks and big hikes with soothing geothermal soaks

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Places you can discover

The must-see destinations and hidden gems that make this tour unforgettable.

waterfall

Itinerary

Day 1

Golden Circle and Reykjadalur

Explore volcanic landscapes and major Golden Circle landmarks, finishing with a hike to a geothermal river. The day combines Icelandic history, erupting geysers, waterfalls, and crater scenery.

Þingvellir National Park Explore Iceland’s historic parliament site and UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
Silfra Fissure Optionally snorkel between tectonic plates at this fissure in Þingvellir National Park.
Bruarfoss See the waterfall’s notably vivid blue water.
Strokkur Geyser Watch this active geyser erupt in the geothermal area.
Gullfoss View the dramatic two-tiered waterfall.
Kerið Crater Walk around the volcanic crater and view its blue lake.
Reykjadalur Hot Springs Hike through the mountains to the geothermal river.

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park

Silfra Fissure

Day 2

Highlands or Westman Islands

Choose a Highland day of volcanic hiking and hot springs, or explore the volcanic landscapes of the Westman Islands. Both options offer rugged scenery and outdoor exploration.

Landmannalaugar Explore volcanic craters and hiking trails, then soak in the geothermal hot springs.
Westman Islands Choose the islands for volcanic craters, hiking areas, and seasonal puffin sightings.
Elephant Rock Look for this distinctive coastal rock formation in the Westman Islands.
Hella Browse locally made Icelandic sweaters and souvenirs.

Landmannalaugar

Westman Islands

Elephant Rock

Day 3

Explore Iceland’s South Coast

Follow Iceland’s South Coast through walk-behind waterfalls, a glacier, black-sand beaches, and coastal viewpoints. Take extra care around the ocean at Reynisfjara.

Seljalandsfoss Walk behind the waterfall for a different perspective.
Seljavallalaug Pool Walk to the remote geothermal pool in the mountains; conditions can be basic and the water may be cold.
Skógafoss See the large waterfall and hike to its upper viewpoint.
Kvernufoss Walk behind this waterfall near Skógafoss.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike to the base of the accessible glacier; do not walk on the glacier without a certified guide.
Dyrhólaey Take in views over the black-sand coast and its large sea arch.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Explore basalt columns and caves while staying well away from dangerous sneaker waves.
Vík Explore the village and see its red-roofed hilltop church.

Reynisfjara

Seljalandsfoss

Skógafoss

Day 4

Skaftafell and Southeast Iceland

Spend the day on southeastern trails, focusing on Skaftafell’s basalt-framed waterfall and a historic turf church. Stay on designated paths through fragile landscapes.

Skaftafell National Park Explore the national park’s hiking landscape and marked trails.
Hike to Svartifoss Follow the trail to the waterfall framed by black basalt columns, passing smaller waterfalls on the way.
Hofskirkja Visit the historic turf church.

Skaftafell

Svartifoss

Hofskirkja

Day 5

Glacier Lagoons and Stokksnes

See iceberg-filled glacier lagoons, ice on black sand, and the dramatic Vestrahorn coastline. Boat and kayaking activities on the lagoon are optional.

Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon Visit the quieter glacier lagoon beneath a cascading glacier.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Watch icebergs on the lagoon and look for seals; optionally join a guided boat tour or kayak outing.
Diamond Beach Walk the black-sand beach scattered with ice fragments.
Stokksnes Explore the coastal peninsula and its black-sand landscape.
Vestrahorn Mountain View the jagged mountain rising above the coast.
Viking Village Walk to the abandoned movie set near Stokksnes.

Jökulsárlón

Diamond Beach

Stokksnes

Day 6

Seyðisfjörður and Hengifoss

Explore East Fjords town scenery, then choose a moderate hike to one of Iceland’s taller waterfalls. The day is centered on the colorful streets and surrounding landscape.

Seyðisfjörður Explore the East Fjords town and its surrounding scenery.
Seyðisfjörður Church See the town’s pale blue church.
Rainbow Pathway Walk the colorful pathway through Seyðisfjörður.
Hengifoss Optionally hike to the tall waterfall on a roughly three-mile round-trip trail.

Seyðisfjörður Church

Hengifoss

Seyðisfjörður

Day 7

Dettifoss and Mývatn

Experience powerful waterfalls and the Krafla volcanic region before a geothermal soak. Finish at one of North Iceland’s best-known waterfalls.

Dettifoss Visit one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls from either the east or west viewpoint.
Víti Crater Walk around the blue-lake crater in the Krafla volcanic region.
Mývatn Nature Baths Relax in the geothermal baths.
Goðafoss End the day at the wide waterfall known as the waterfall of the gods.

Dettifoss

Goðafoss

Víti

Day 8

North Iceland to West Coast

Choose whale watching in Húsavík or a remote waterfall adventure, then continue through Akureyri and along the coast. Aldeyjarfoss is an option only for suitable 4x4 access.

Húsavík Optionally take a whale-watching tour from this North Iceland town.
Aldeyjarfoss With a suitable 4x4, visit this remote Highland waterfall.
Akureyri Explore North Iceland’s larger town and stop for a meal.
Hvítserkur See the distinctive coastal sea stack also known as Rhino Rock.

Húsavík

Aldeyjarfoss

Akureyri

Day 9

Snæfellsnes Coastal Landmarks

Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula’s mountain, black church, sea arches, cliffs, and birdlife. This is a concentrated day of western coastal scenery.

Kirkjufell See the iconic mountain beside Kirkjufellsfoss.
Kirkjufellsfoss Visit the waterfall with views toward Kirkjufell.
Búðakirkja See the isolated black church, built in 1703.
Arnarstapi Walk the cliffs and sea arch around the coastal village.
Londrangar Explore the coastal area and look for seabirds, including puffins.

Kirkjufell

Kirkjufellsfoss

Búðakirkja

Day 10

Glymur and Reykjavík

Hike to Glymur Waterfall, then explore Reykjavík’s central sights and geothermal lagoons. Choose one lagoon for a relaxed end to the route.

Glymur Waterfall Complete the roughly three-and-a-half-hour hike to this high waterfall.
Explore Reykjavík Browse souvenir shops and restaurants in Iceland’s capital.
Sun Voyager Photograph the waterfront sculpture.
Reykjavík Church Visit the city’s prominent church.
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
Relax at either geothermal lagoon; advance reservations are recommended.

Glymur

Reykjavík

Hallgrímskirkja

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