Adventure Awaits in Hiker's Paradise: 10 Days Self Drive Itinerary

Route: Reykjavík → Borgarfjörður overnight area

1. Glymur trailhead — Start from the valley parking area and assess the marked hiking route, whose steep exposed sections and crossings require suitable conditions.
2. Borgarnes — Pause in the coastal service town, where an optional Settlement Centre visit adds historical context to the surrounding West Iceland landscapes.

Driving note: The road journey ends at the Glymur trailhead; hiking time is separate. Assess the exposed trail and crossing conditions before starting, and turn back when they exceed your experience or equipment.

Route: Borgarfjörður overnight area → Borgarfjörður overnight area

1. Búðir — See the black church against the surrounding lava and coast, respecting church services, private property and marked visitor paths.
2. Arnarstapi coastal path — Walk a section of the marked cliff-top path to see basalt arches and sea stacks, staying behind barriers above the ocean.
3. Hellnar — Pause at the small coastal settlement and its rocky shore, with an optional walk on the marked path towards Arnarstapi.
4. Lóndrangar — Look towards the twin basalt towers from the signed coastal viewpoints, with Snæfellsjökull’s slopes rising inland when skies are clear.
5. Djúpalónssandur — Follow the path down towards the black-pebble beach and historic lifting stones, staying clear of the shore break and scattered wreckage.

Driving note: The endpoint marks the Borgarfjörður area rather than a specific hotel. Use your confirmed overnight address for the final part of the drive, allowing for a different local route.

Route: Borgarfjörður overnight area → Selfoss / Hveragerði overnight area

1. Þingvellir — Almannagjá — Walk the marked paths beside Almannagjá, where the rift landscape frames the historic outdoor assembly site of the Alþingi.
2. Geysir geothermal area — Watch Strokkur erupt among steaming springs, staying on the marked paths around ground heated by the geothermal system below.
3. Gullfoss — Use the open viewpoints to see the Hvítá river plunge in two stages into its deep, spray-filled canyon.
4. Kerið crater — Look into the lake-filled volcanic crater from the established paths, where dark water contrasts with red and black slopes.

Driving note: The endpoint marks the Selfoss / Hveragerði area rather than a specific hotel. Use your confirmed overnight address for the final part of the drive, allowing for a different local route.

Route: Selfoss / Hveragerði overnight area → Hella overnight area

1. Landmannalaugar transfer from Hella — Leave the rental car in Hella and join prebooked seasonal highland transport for a day walking among Landmannalaugar’s colourful mountains.

Driving note: Drive only to the confirmed lowland meeting point. Highland transport and hiking are excluded from driving figures; reserve both transfer legs and choose a walk that fits the booked return departure.

Route: Hella overnight area → Hella overnight area

1. Þórsmörk transfer from Hvolsvöllur — Leave the rental car at the confirmed lowland meeting point and take specialist transport into Þórsmörk for a weather-appropriate valley walk.

Driving note: Drive only to the confirmed lowland meeting point. Highland transport and hiking are excluded from driving figures; reserve both transfer legs and choose a walk that fits the booked return departure.

Route: Hella overnight area → Vík overnight area

1. Seljalandsfoss — See the narrow cascade from the main path, taking the route behind the water only when it is open and safe.
2. Skógafoss — Enjoy the broad curtain of water from below, or use the steps to the upper viewpoint when conditions and energy allow.
3. Reynisfjara viewpoint — View the basalt cliffs and Reynisdrangar from permitted areas, following current access restrictions and keeping well away from the powerful surf.
4. Vík — Pause in the South Coast village for food and supplies, with coastal views and the church on the hillside above.

Driving note: The endpoint marks the Vík area rather than a specific hotel. Use your confirmed overnight address for the final part of the drive, allowing for a different local route.

Route: Vík overnight area → Skaftafell / Öræfi overnight area

1. Fjaðrárgljúfur — Follow the open viewpoint paths above the winding canyon, staying behind barriers and respecting closures that protect the vegetation.
2. Skaftafell — Begin at the visitor centre and choose an open marked trail for views across the glacier-carved landscape and surrounding mountains.
3. Svartifoss walking trail — From Skaftafell’s visitor centre, follow the marked uphill trail to the waterfall framed by dark basalt columns, conditions permitting.

Driving note: The endpoint marks the Skaftafell / Öræfi area rather than a specific hotel. Use your confirmed overnight address for the final part of the drive, allowing for a different local route.

Route: Skaftafell / Öræfi overnight area → Kirkjubæjarklaustur overnight area

1. Jökulsárlón — Watch drifting icebergs from the lagoon’s shore-side visitor area; boat trips are optional, seasonal and booked separately.
2. Diamond Beach — Look for stranded ice on the black sand from a safe distance, remembering that waves can reach far up the beach.
3. Kirkjubæjarklaustur — Use the village for a meal or supplies between the South Coast and Vatnajökull, with local walks if time allows.

Driving note: The endpoint marks the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area rather than a specific hotel. Use your confirmed overnight address for the final part of the drive, allowing for a different local route.

Route: Kirkjubæjarklaustur overnight area → Reykjavík

1. Kleifarvatn — Stop at a designated viewpoint above the dark lake, surrounded by volcanic hills on the eastern side of Reykjanes.
2. Seltún — Stay on the boardwalks through steaming vents and coloured geothermal ground; the boiling springs here are for viewing, not bathing.
3. Blue Lagoon — A prebooked optional bathing visit offers a pause among the lava fields, subject to current volcanic access advice and operating conditions.

Driving note: Check official Reykjanes access updates before departure and confirm any Blue Lagoon booking. Closed roads take priority over this suggested route; keep enough time for the onward drive or airport arrangements.

Route: Reykjavík → Keflavík International Airport

1. Keflavík International Airport — Follow your confirmed flight and rental arrangements, allowing time for baggage, collection or return before continuing your journey.