Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Landmannalaugar
HENN PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES ©
4 WEEKS
The more remote and fantastical swathes of Iceland open to you with an extended stay. In
addition to seeing major sights, venture further from the Ring Road, into the gorgeous,
isolated Westfjords, or four-wheel-drive the Highlands.
Rent wheels and head to the
Blue Lagoon
to unwind. Follow the coastal road to arty
Stokkseyri
, then ditch the car to hike from
Landmannalaugar
to verdant
Þórsmörk
.
Next, catch the boat to
Vestmannaeyjar
, where puffins flip-flap over fresh lava. Then so-
journ near
Vík
, with its black basalt beach.
At
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
venture up to
Lakagígar
to learn about the devastating ef-
fects of Laki's eruptions.
Skaftafell
offers hiking and glacier walking. Don't miss a boat
ride with icebergs at
Jökulsárlón
and a snowmobile safari on
Vatnajökull
, Europe's
largest ice cap. Pause in
Höfn
for legendary langoustine, then relax in hushed
Breiðdals-
vík
before negotiating hairpin fjord roads to peaceful
Eskifjörður
and inspiring
Seyðis-
fjörður
. Follow the rhyolite cliffs down to
Borgarfjörður Eystri
to photograph puffins,
then climb through
Vopnafjörður
to the grassy plains of
Langanes
. The quiet northeast-
ern circuit rolls through
Ásbyrgi
to charming
Húsavík
, perfect for whale watching. Scenic
Mývatn
makes a great base for exploring the pounding waterfall,
Dettifoss
, and Iceland's
Highland treasures such as the mammoth caldera at
Askja
and silent ice caves at
Kverkfjöll
. Stop for a slice of civilisation in
Akureyri
before touching the Arctic Circle in
Grímsey
. Wander up through
Dalvík
, check out
Siglufjörður
, then treat yourself to a re-
laxing swim in
Hofsós
.