Iceland road trip: ring road and East Fjords, 8 stops
This 909 km solo road trip across Iceland follows the ring road and East Fjords, covering approximately 26 minutes of driving time. The route connects Iceland's most dramatic landscapes, from glacial outlets near Vatnajökull to powerful waterfalls in the north and volcanic canyons on the south coast.
- Distance
- 909.1 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Vatnajökull
- End
- Dettifoss
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Vatnajökull — Europe's largest ice cap, featuring dramatic glacial landscapes with fractured surfaces streaked by volcanic ash layers.
- Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon — Glacial lake filled with icebergs calved from Fjallsjökull glacier, offering stunning views of ice formations floating in turquoise water.
- East Fjords — A scenic coastal region in northeastern Iceland featuring unique landscapes, reindeer sightings, and dramatic fjord scenery.
- Múlagjá Canyon — Dramatic basalt canyon carved by glacial meltwater, featuring steep cliffs and powerful waterfalls in Iceland's remote interior landscape.
- Puffin Watching at Dyrhólaey — Coastal promontory hosting thousands of Atlantic puffins during breeding season, accessible via dramatic sea cliffs and natural arches.
- Iceland Highlands and Bláhnúkur
- Vestrahorn — A dramatic mountain rising from a black sand beach in southeastern Iceland, known for mysterious weather and inversion views.
- Dettifoss — Europe's most powerful waterfall located in North Iceland, creating thunderous cascades with ground-trembling force.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Rent a campervan (4x4 with full capabilities recommended) for flexibility to chase weather, avoid fixed schedules, and access remote locations. Includes fridge, water on demand, and secondary battery for gear charging.
- Timing
- Visit in late spring/early summer for midnight sun conditions (minimal darkness around 1:00 a.m.). Plan a reversed sleep schedule: wake around 5:00 p.m., shoot sunset late evening, drive through night for sunrise photography.
- Timing
- Puffin season: Spring/early summer when millions return to Iceland from Atlantic to nest. Most active returning to cliffs in late afternoon/evening. Peak viewing at sites like Dyrhólaey.
- Transport
- Highlands roads only accessible summer months by 4x4 vehicles. Check weather before venturing into interior; risk of getting stuck on rough roads during rainstorms.
- Avoid
- Skip the most crowded glacier lagoon (Jökulsárlón). Visit lesser-known alternatives like Fjallsárlón or Fenusvátn instead for fewer crowds and similar stunning glacial scenery.
- Tip
- Weather shifts rapidly by the minute. Be flexible with plans; you cannot control weather, only respond to it. Adverse conditions (fog, clouds) can still yield spectacular shots.
- Timing
- Explore East Fjords in better weather windows. This region sees frequent rain and is skipped by most travelers, but offers unique waterfalls like Dettifoss, Hengifoss, and Selfoss.
- Transport
- Ferry to Westman Islands takes 45 minutes. Plan time accordingly—from main south coast driving distance allows only brief visits before airport.
- Tip
- Popular sites like Skógafoss still worth visiting despite millions of prior photos. Iceland was unusually warm one year, causing lupine meadows to bloom unexpectedly in front of falls.
- Tip
- Hidden gems near main roads: Faldafoss (roadside waterfall), Verarfoss (walk behind the waterfall, expect to get wet), Sigöldugljúfur Valley of Tears—often overlooked but spectacular.
- Tip
- Helicopter/scenic flights over highlands require small weather windows. Book with operators like flighting.is and be ready to depart quickly when conditions allow.
- Tip
- Vestrahorn requires patience for good conditions; clouds frequently obscure views. Accept partial glimpses through inversions; mystery of the location is part of its appeal.