Sep–Apr
Northern lights
Dark skies and little light pollution. Check the aurora forecast on vedur.is.
The Area · Öræfi
Between the ice and the sea
Öræfi is the strip of farmland, sand and moraine below Öræfajökull. For centuries it was cut off by glacial rivers on both sides. Today Route 1 runs straight through, and within an hour you can reach canyons, lagoons, black beaches and a turf church.
Distances from the Fjallsjökull car parkW ← Route 1 → E
6 km W~8 minSister site ↗
Múlagljúfur
A green canyon with twin waterfalls, a hike up from the road.
~4 km EOn foot
Breiðárlón
The neighbouring lagoon, reached along the Breiðármörk trail.
~10 km E~10 min
Jökulsárlón
Iceland’s best-known lagoon: bigger, busier, with boat tours.
~11 km E~12 min
Diamond Beach
Ice washed up on black sand, across the road from Jökulsárlón.
~30 km W~25 min
Hof turf church
The last turf church built in the old style, roofed in grass.
~25 km WGuided onlyMay–Aug
Ingólfshöfði
A headland across the sands, crowded with puffins in summer.
~40 km W~35 min
Svínafellsjökull
A broken, crevassed glacier tongue close to the road.
~47 km W~40 min
Skaftafell and Svartifoss
The park’s trail hub, and the waterfall under black basalt columns.
~90 km E~1 h 10
Höfn
The nearest town, a fishing harbour known for langoustine.
Itinerary
A Ring Road day
West to east, about 60 km of driving. Start early in summer; in winter, plan around four to five hours of light.
- 08:30 SkaftafellWalk to Svartifoss, 1.5 h return.
- 11:00 MúlagljúfurCanyon hike to the waterfall viewpoint, 2–3 h.
- 14:30 FjallsjökullAn hour at the glacier face and the lagoon.
- 16:00 JökulsárlónThe big lagoon, and seals at the river mouth.
- 17:00 Diamond BeachEvening light on the ice. Höfn for dinner.
Seasons
When to come
Late May–Jul
Bright nights
The sun barely sets. The lagoon at midnight is often the quietest it gets.
Nov–Mar
Ice-cave season
Guided tours into blue ice caves in the Vatnajökull glaciers. Always with a guide.