Iceland's Ring Road: Highlights, Worthwhile Stops & Planning Tips

Careful planning is key to lasting memories for a road trip along Iceland's Ring Road, the main road that encircles the island. The adventure begins much earlier than stepping onto the ferry or airport-it starts in the preparation phase. To ensure you're well-prepared for a comprehensive tour of Iceland on the Ring Road, we provide all the necessary information in this article.

How we traveled: Michi with a 4x4 rental car, Mandy on two trips to Iceland, and I (Katrin) with my own camper (not a 4x4, but a regular van).

Iceland. The land of sheep, northern lights, volcanoes with unpronounceable names (try saying Eyjafjallajökull), majestic waterfalls, rugged mountains, and landscapes from another world. For me, it's one of the most beautiful places on Earth. How can such a small island be so diverse? The scenery changes every few meters-from lush green moss fields to snow-capped mountains and bright white glaciers, the land in the far north constantly amazes me.

On my first visit, I had high expectations. I had seen many movies and magazine images that often looked unreal.

With a road trip on Iceland's Ring Road, I fulfilled a long-cherished travel dream and will share my absolute highlights of the island in this post.

The Ring Road-officially Þjóðvegur 1 or Route 1 (in English, Ring Road)-stretches 1,332 kilometers around Iceland. With the Golden Circle, it ranks among the most popular routes in Iceland and is considered one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. It has made many tourists fans of this small island. They say that once you've been here, you always come back. I have experienced this too. Six months passed after my first visit before I traveled back to Iceland.

The Ring Road is ideal for beginners. It is completely paved, runs mostly alongside the coast, and offers spectacular landscapes in all facets.

NEW: My guide to Iceland includes the most beautiful places, sights, waterfalls, campsites, and a food guide with all locations for mobile, desktop, or tablet in Google Maps. With just one click, you can save all the places I visited in Iceland. I also add tips in notes so you can see where all the spots are located. Check out the Iceland guide for mobile here.

I hope your stay will be an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

Colorful landscapes from ice and glaciers to lava deserts, spectacular waterfalls cascading down, tranquil fjords, bright green canyons, black beaches, and winding mountain passes.

In many areas, you can observe puffins from June to August. The cute little birds are always a highlight for me. During this time, whales can also be found in the East Fjords, West Fjords, and the north. Whale watching tours also start from Reykjavik.

With some luck, there may be an eruption during your visit, and you can get up close to an active volcano. Of course, this is only if it's a "tourist-friendly" eruption, like in July 2023 when Fagradalsfjall Litli-Hrútur erupted and we could walk very close on the second day. Later, we also saw the spectacle from the air during a small Cessna flight before the lava ceased.

Especially along the south coast, the highlights line up, which you can easily reach with a rental car or on hikes along the Ring Road 1.

Unfortunately, you always have to expect windy and rainy weather. At any time of the year. Exactly this unpredictability is what we love.

The infrastructure of gas stations, supermarkets, accommodations, campsites, and restaurants is excellent-especially in the south and around Reykjavik. Since trips during the summer (June to September) are extremely popular, you should book early (or pack a tent).

Many advise planning at least 7 days for the Ring Road in summer. I find that much too short, even though the days are very long. Plan for at least 14 days to also make detours into the highlands.

In winter, you should plan for at least 3 weeks and be prepared for closed roads and snowstorms. Or focus on one region.

Many highlights lie directly along the Ring Road. Plan plenty of time for stops and pull over when many other cars stop beside the road. There is definitely something interesting to discover.

Many attractions are overcrowded during peak travel season. If you start early or arrive after 4 PM, these places are significantly less crowded.

These are the places along the Ring Road that you must have seen:

When planning the route, you have two options: driving clockwise or counterclockwise. Do you want to start with the spectacular south coast right away or drive clockwise and experience all the highlights of the south at the end? If you're traveling like me with a camper (or with a rental car and tent like Mandy), you have the big advantage of letting the weather decide.

Is bad weather forecasted in the south? Then explore the north first.

If you arrive by your own car or camper, you will arrive like us in Seyðisfjörður in the east. Since we had a fixed schedule for the Laugavegur Trail hike and needed to be in Reykjavik for that, we explored the south first. Later, we realized we wanted to spend just as long in the north, and we rebooked the ferry to allow more time for the Ring Road and some detours.

If you want to start with a wealth of sights, you should explore the south coast first counterclockwise. This way, you can use buffer days and finish the trip in the north and west.

Most Iceland trips start at the international airport in Keflavik near Reykjavik. Here are the rental car providers as well as camper rentals. The tour usually starts and ends here.

Are you arriving by ferry and your own vehicle? Then you start in Seyðisfjörður in the East Fjords. If you're traveling with your own car, motorcycle, or camper and camping, you can decide spontaneously which direction to go first based on the weather forecast.

Recommended route from 10 days:

More time? Here are my additional suggestions:

The longer you have, the better. For me, 10 days is way too short, but it is enough to get a first impression. In summer, you have the advantage that the sun doesn't set, and you have many hours for exploration.

If you don't have time to plan and book a route yourself, you can check out this 4 to 7-day itinerary with Get Your Guide with Nicetravel (favorite logo in Iceland).

Since we keep getting questions about whether we can share our private maps, here is the answer: We have all saved as a list in Google Maps with notes and tips for many locations. You can now buy them with a click and use them directly on your phone in the Google Maps app (including offline).

NEW: My guide for Iceland includes the most beautiful places, sights, waterfalls, campsites, and a food guide with all locations for mobile, desktop, or tablet in Google Maps. With just one click, you can save all the places I visited in Iceland. I also add tips in notes so you can see where all the spots are located. Check out the Iceland guide for mobile here.

I hope your stay will be an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

Here you will find the most beautiful sights around Iceland along the Ring Road. I intentionally chose Keflavik as the starting point, as most Iceland trips begin here.

The northernmost capital in the world is also Iceland's most populated place. Reykjavik is often the start and end point of the circuit. Explore the highlights and take 1-2 days to see the sights in Reykjavik. It's truly worth it.

Highly recommended: Perlan Museum, Laugavegur pedestrian street with many cute cafes, shops, and of course the Rainbow Road leading to the cathedral.

You can also use Reykjavik as a base and take excursions around the region at the beginning.

After Reykjavik, I recommend exploring the key places along the Golden Circle. You can find a detailed article about the Golden Circle here.

Plan for the following stops:

Check out my detailed report with all highlights at the Golden Circle in Iceland.

For these additional highlights, there are tips in it:

Now we return to the Ring Road to the waterfalls Gljúfurárfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss. They are about 30 km apart in the south of the Ring Road. The waterfalls are located near the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Skógar.

Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, located less than an hour from Reykjavik. The campsite is mediocre, but the location is good for exploring highlights from Selfoss to Vík í Mýrdal in the south.

Old Dairy Food Hall: Delicious pizzas, tacos, and local food. In the basement is the notable Skyr Museum, which is interesting but a good idea when the weather is bad.

On our first visit to the Ring Road, we initially overlooked the Urriðafoss. But on the next trip, the weather was too good, and we spontaneously stopped. Its proximity to the main road makes it an easily accessible destination that is often overlooked. The river Þjórsá, cascading over the Urriðafoss, is known as the most water-rich river in Iceland. The rapids spreading over the entire waterfall is a great spectacle that you can watch for hours.

The next highlight of the tour is Seljalandsfoss, considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. The Seljalandsá river plunges here 66 meters! But the coolest part of this waterfall is that you can walk behind it and look out through the curtain of water. In the summer, right before midnight, it is one of the most popular photo spots.

We wanted to avoid the crowds and visited once in the morning in June and again after the Laugavegur Trail on the way out of the highlands. In July, you definitely need to come before 10 AM or after 5 PM.

Note: Put on your rain jacket and pack your camera away, as it will definitely get splashed (new cameras like my Sony Alpha 7 IV can handle splashes but not every camera can withstand the moisture). If you have an action cam, this is a good place to use it.

Behind the rock wall of Seljalandsfoss is the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. Unfortunately, you can't see the glacier from the waterfall.

A few meters' walk left of Seljalandsfoss lies the hidden Gljúfurárfoss in a gorge. Many visitors don't take the time to visit this waterfall. If it has rained a lot, you will have to wade through water (a shout out to my rubber boots that I had in the camper).

The waterfall only becomes visible when you enter the semi-open cave. Hence the name "the one living in the gorge." It is a bit hidden.

Why do I love this place so much? Just a stone's throw away from the overcrowded Seljalandsfoss, it is much quieter here.

If you're in the mood for a swim, you can visit Seljavallalaug, one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland. You need to follow a roughly 1 km long footpath to get there. We weren't in the mood for swimming and drove on.

If you want to go up to the viewing platform, you have to tackle a few stairs. However, the view is worth it for the surroundings; you can see the waterfall best from below. Since Skógafoss is one of the most famous attractions on Iceland's Ring Road, it is always crowded.

Tip: At the 60-meter-high and 25-meter-wide Skógafoss, you can undertake the famous hike over the Fimmvörðuháls Pass into the Thórsmörk valley and pass by more than 25 waterfalls. Many use this hike as a start to the Laugavegur Trail (or vice versa). Unfortunately, we didn't have time to hike the Fimmvörðuháls Pass after the Laugavegur. Next time.

Aside from Seljalandsfoss, my highlight is Kvernufoss. Unfortunately, it's no longer a secret tip and during our visit, it was marked with a sign for parking fees.

The waterfall is located in a picturesque green valley. It is slightly smaller than Seljalandsfoss, thus less visited. You can also walk around this waterfall and look through the water curtain from behind. For me, it's one of the most beautiful spots on the Ring Road in Iceland.

One of the many easily accessible glacier tongues, which unfortunately is also visibly affected by glacial melting, is Sólheimajökull. We were completely alone here, even though supposedly large busloads of tourists are brought here for glacier hikes. This was not the case during our visit.

Still, I wouldn't want to hike on a visibly melting glacier. If you've never done it before, you can do this here or at many other glacier tongues in Vatnajökull National Park. The most popular ones are in Skaftafell near the park entrance.

I skipped the airplane wreck on the beach at Sólheimasandur. Why? When my brother was here (the picture is from him), it was not yet a tourist attraction. There was no graffiti on the wreck of the Douglas C-117 of the US Navy, and you could still drive directly on the gravel road to it.

Now you have to walk the 4-5 km long and very boring path through the desolate landscape, as the landowner has closed the land due to too many tourists. The comfortable way is with the shuttle bus that regularly runs between the wreck and the parking lot (currently 750 ISK). I didn't think it was worth visiting the wreck; I preferred to go on another hike during that time.

Note: Since my visit, there is a much closer airplane: In Eyvindarholt, just 5 minutes from Seljalandsfoss, the airplane wreck of the DC-3 in Sauðanes in northern Iceland was transported to Eyvindarholt during my 2023 summer visit. I can't say yet if there is an entrance fee here.

One of the most famous natural formations on the south coast is the cliff and the huge stone sea arch at Dyrhólaey (Deer Hole), which rises dramatically from the surrounding plain.

To get up to the cape and lighthouse, you need to briefly leave the Ring Road. Caution: Road 218 is closed at certain times in May and June due to the nesting season (especially for terns and puffins). From up here, you have a fantastic view of the famous stone arch and the black beaches. The unique basalt columns rise 120 meters high here.

If it's not as stormy as during my last visit, you will see many puffins here in July and August. Despite the pouring rain, I managed to find a few.

Reynisfjara is the southernmost beach in Iceland. It consists of black lava sand. At Reynisfjara, you can explore Hálsanefshellir, the impressive sea cave of basalt columns. It is located on the southwestern side of Reynisfjall, where the mountain meets a large black beach. Here you can also see Reynisdrangar-a collection of 66-meter-high rock columns that rise from the sea, sharing the same geological formation as Reynisfjall (they are thought to be trolls caught by sunlight).

But beware, show respect for the surf. If you get too close, the power of the ocean can surprise you. The strong current has swept many tourists out to sea. Always keep your distance from the waves.

Just 10 km further lies the larger village of Vík í Mýrdal, with 300 inhabitants. The village is located south of the Katla volcano, which is situated under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and is long overdue for an eruption. The most famous photo motif is the church that sits on a hill surrounded by fields of lupines. Unfortunately, it rained so heavily during our visit that you could hardly see the lupines.

In Vik, you can stock up on fresh groceries, fuel up, and shop at the large outdoor store.

Shortly after the village, you will find the Yoda Cave "Gígjagjá," which you can reach via a short and poor gravel road.

In Vik, many tour operators offer activities such as tours on Sólheimajökull and trips to the Katla Ice Cave take place, and between these areas, there are frequent shoots for series and movies.

Impressions from Vik in summer:

Skaftafell National Park is part of Vatnajökull National Park. Here you will find, in addition to the visitor center and a campsite, many hiking trails. You can get spectacular views of the Skaftsfellsjökull glacier, for example, by hiking to the peaks of Kristínartindar.

If you have less time or, like us, fog and rain, you should at least go to Svartifoss. The waterfall is surrounded by black basalt columns and makes for a great photo opportunity. For hiking trails, you can order this detailed hiking map. We took the Rother hiking guide for Iceland. All paths were well marked.

Besides the many hikes, you can also explore the park by bike on cycle paths. There are glacier hikes, ice cave tours, and ice climbing tours for all levels (depending on the season you are here).

This glacier tongue is also an arm of the massive Vatnajökull glacier, and the ice is 1,000 years old. Here, you can get much closer than at Skaftafell. We found it more idyllic and beautiful.

My little insider tip that isn't a secret anymore is Múlagljúfur Canyon. The hidden gorge with a waterfall at the end can be reached via a gravel road. Near Fjallsárlón, you need to hike about 1 hour to the viewpoint or you can go further (depending on the weather). In winter, you cannot get up here, so summer is the best time to visit.

Note: The parking lot is quite small and tricky for campers to park, depending on how crowded it is.

And still another glacier arm of the Vatnajökull glacier. Much quieter and fewer people than at the more well-known Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You can also undertake tours on the lagoon to the glacier here. You won't see seals, but it's much more idyllic.

The most famous attraction in southern Iceland is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Here you can see huge icebergs swimming to the sea. Under Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull, lies the Bárðarbunga volcano, which reawakened in early 2014 and caused excitement across half of Europe. The glacier is melting rapidly, which you can see in the growing lagoon.

Tip: Take a boat tour with a kayak or Zodiac boat in the glacier lagoon. You can also walk around the lagoon. However, this is not as spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled, as sweet seals often appear.

On the other side of the road is the Black Diamond Beach.

The black beach is full of icebergs. However, the number of icebergs varies depending on the current from the lagoon and the amount of ice the glacier calvings. The icebergs sparkle in the sun like diamonds-hence the name. More icebergs are washed ashore on the western side than on the eastern side. The further back you go, the emptier and blacker as well as finer the sand becomes.

The glacier tongue of Hoffellsjökull is located in Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland, just a few minutes by car outside Höfn (pronounced Höpn). You leave the Ring Road towards the glacier. The bumpy road, which ends only over the dry riverbed and gravel, keeps many people from going further. Therefore, visitor numbers remain low and Hoffellsfjöll is a little insider tip.

The East Fjords are worth exploring fully only if you have more than 14 days for the Ring Road. Most visitors drive from Stokksnes directly over the Öxi Pass to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in the east. Since we came to Seydisfjörður with a camper, we, of course, explored the East Fjords. But we had eight weeks. If you want to explore 1-2 places, then these are the ones:

Vestrahorn at Stokksnes beach is one of Iceland's most famous photo motifs. The skies are clearer the colder it is. Especially ideal at sunrise or sunset (in winter). An entrance fee is charged, but it's worth it. In autumn, you will find ideal conditions for photographing the northern lights.

Coming from the east, the peak looks like Batman. Besides an abandoned Viking village, which was built as a backdrop for a film but never used, there is also a lighthouse and hiking trails around it. Keep your eyes peeled, as seals often sunbathe on the coast.

You need tickets here, which you can get at the Viking Café.

This place, also known as the 'other black beach,' does not actually rival Reynisfjara. Since the lookout and another parking area are directly on the Ring Road, it's worth a short stop for the views.

It is best known for a giant rock that stands in the sea near the beach. This monolith is quite fascinating with its green tip and black color.

Unfortunately, due to strong wind, we could not find a way down to the beach. If you want to visit a black sand beach in Iceland without other tourists, this is the place for you.

The small idyllic town is especially known for its light blue church with the rainbow road in front of it. But there is more to explore here. There are many small galleries and artists, cafés, and restaurants. In addition to the campsite, which is completely overcrowded the night before the ferry and the day of arrival, there are smaller guesthouses and hotels.

Via Egilsstaðir, you now come to my personal puffin hot spot: Hafnarhólmi - Bakkagerdi, the better alternative to Latrabjarg in the West Fjords or the Westman Islands. Since the road is completely paved, the small village is accessible to everyone. The puffins are so numerous here that I don't know which direction to look. My highlight and best puffins spot in Iceland.

Hengifoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in East Iceland. It is worth taking the detour off the Ring Road.

Stuðlagil lies in East Iceland and is a canyon worth seeing when you are in the area. The high basalt cliffs frame the glacier river Jökulsá with its turquoise water. From the south side of the river, you can reach the gorge with a bit of climbing. Make sure to take the right parking lot because it is a detour to get here from the other side of the river.

Will be quickly added and updated after the trip in June - August 2023

Dettifoss springs from the Vatnajökull glacier and is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Undoubtedly one of the favorite spots for Icelanders. According to Norse mythology, the god Óðinn once rode his eight-legged horse Sleipnir, which lost one of its hooves and created Ásbyrgi, which has the shape of a very large horseshoe. The visit is only worth it if it's not raining and there is no fog. We had a bit of bad luck and couldn't undertake a long hike.

The whale capital of Iceland is a must-visit. We took a tour with North Sailing on an electric boat (quiet). A wonderful experience, if not for the loud other boats. You can discover dwarf whales, humpback whales, and the puffin island (as a combo tour) here. We had more luck with whales in Dalvik; friends were the lucky whale watchers in Húsavik.

The Krafla volcanic crater with its milky blue water is a brief yet pretty cool photo spot.

In this geothermal area, also known as Hverir, you can see many solfataras and boiling mud pots surrounded by sulfur crystals in many different colors. The area has a strong smell, but you get used to it over time.

Lake Myvatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland. It was created 2,300 years ago through a major basaltic lava eruption, is 36.5 km2 large, and has about 50 small islands (or skerries). It is protected as a nature reserve and is a very popular destination for locals. Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised if it gets busier on weekends.

Here you can take a bath in the hot springs, discover steaming geothermal fields, and explore some caves and craters.

The small sleepy fishing village of Dalvik not only has a large campsite but is also ideal for whale-watching tours due to its location at Eyjarfjörður. We booked a tour with Arctic Sea Tours on a Zodiac. There were 10 spots, but we were only 6. This meant everyone could quickly move from one side of the boat to the other when a whale surfaced. And they did surface, with a total of eight humpback whales frequently surfacing right next to the boat.

Unbelievable, and at times I was a bit startled when a loud plume sprayed next to me, and then the humpback whale was visible. Please ensure that whales are not hunted by the operators. Since there is no other provider in Dalvik, you often won't see another boat during your tour. We didn't even see the larger boat that started shortly after us. That's great.

Will be quickly added and updated after the trip in June - August 2023

Will be quickly added and updated after the trip in June - August 2023-especially the volcanic eruption was a highlight.

Depending on when you land at the International Airport in Keflavik, it can be worthwhile to spend the first night near Kevlavik. If you don't land too late and want to continue to Reykjavik, a trip to the now completely overcrowded Blue Lagoon is worthwhile. It is only 20 minutes from the airport. In our view, the visit is not a must, as there are alternatives that are more idyllic and less frequented.

However, since it is one of the highlights, we have listed it anyway. Decide for yourself. Of course, a bath in the 40° C warm and healing water is refreshing. The impressive volcanic landscape around it is also worth seeing. There are also other beautiful lagoons that are free or not so overcrowded.

Tips for the Blue Lagoon: Since it gets quite full here, you should book your ticket online in advance (from 58 euros). Alternative: lagoon at Mývatn.

The Þjórsárdalur Valley has yet to be discovered by large tourist crowds and thus remains almost a secret tip. In the valley, you can find beautiful waterfalls. One of them is located in the spectacular Gjáin gorge. The Háifoss waterfall - at 122 meters, Iceland's third-highest waterfall - and the Granni waterfall are also two little-known highlights in Iceland. Another waterfall is Hjálp (Help), a few meters further. There are also other waterfalls and typical wooden houses with moss roofs.

A true idyll that you must see for yourself.

If you have taken the turn into the Þjórsárdalur Valley, you'll see the world's most active volcano: Hekla, known as the "Gateway to Hell," and if no other volcano is active during your visit, you can always hear some rumblings here. The last eruption was in 2000.

If you have time and a robust vehicle, a detour into the remote Westfjords is worth considering. They are less touristy and offer breathtaking landscapes (and puffins). My highlights were the Dynjandi waterfall (perhaps the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland), the Latrabjarg bird cliffs with puffins, and the seemingly endless Raudisandur beach. Ísafjörður is the small cozy capital of the Westfjords.

Watch for spouts during the long drive through the fjords, as you will find whales everywhere here.

If the Katla Ice Cave doesn't appeal (we found it 1. not safe and 2. not beautiful), you should visit a real ice cave in winter.

Spring, summer, or winter? The Ring Road is an experience at any time of year. Anyone who has been to Iceland many times will advise you: Come back next time in a different season.

Here are some considerations for the seasons for the Ring Road:

The Ring Road in Iceland is generally passable year-round, but in winter (December to February), snowstorms and icing can lead to several days of road closures.

Additionally, the days are short, leading to much darkness.

The ideal times for an Iceland road trip are from mid-June to September or early October. In June and July, you have long days when the sun doesn't set. From early August, the days become shorter. However, from mid-August, you have the chance to see northern lights.

Extensive article on what season you should travel to Iceland.

Here are a few useful travel tips for planning before your trip. Because with sayings like "in the north, you can drive 600 km at a stretch," we completely disagree.

We are not fans of organized group tours. Especially not in countries like Iceland, where you can plan and undertake everything on your own. Iceland is so safe that we didn't even lock the camper at night on campsites. Since we didn't have a 4x4 with a snorkel for deeper river fords into the highlands, we booked day trips with appropriate providers.

You have to book glacier tours with a zodiac in advance. Spontaneous tours are possible with amphibious vehicles (unfortunately, you won't get as close to the glacier tongue).

With Troll Expeditions, we explored the Katla Ice Cave, with Myvatn Tours we did the Askja tour, and in the south, we visited the Laki Craters with Secret Iceland. With Dive.is, we snorkeled in the Silfra fissure.

Icelanders generally speak much better English than we do. Some can even speak excellent German. There are no communication problems. You can find all essential info on travel blogs and guides. Check out my comprehensive Iceland guide for everything you need to know.

Iceland is experiencing an unbroken tourist boom. Besides Europeans, the majority of tourists come from the US, Canada, or Asia. We make up only a minority.

If you are traveling during the peak season with a rental car, you should book your accommodations at least a year in advance. Traveling in the off-season doesn't require as much planning. But even in spring, autumn, and winter, Iceland is becoming increasingly popular.

If you travel by car and tent or camper, you can spontaneously adjust your route based on the weather. However, if you want to book a camper or rental car in Iceland, you should also do this at least a year in advance. We jokingly checked how much a camper like mine would cost. The conclusion: Most providers were already booked out, or it cost 2,000 euros for 7 days. Way too expensive, in my opinion. But even here, supply dictates demand.

Considerations for planning:

Since the Ring Road is completely paved, a standard car is sufficient. However, you aren't officially allowed to drive on gravel roads or F-roads with it. Therefore, I recommend booking at least a Dacia Duster with all-wheel drive. Even then, F-roads are officially off-limits. Nevertheless, driving a 4x4 Jeep is much more comfortable on the many gravel roads that lead, for example, to the Stuðlagil Canyon in the north or Múlagljúfur Canyon in the south.

For detours into the highlands, you need a vehicle with all-wheel drive and ground clearance. My tip: Isak 4x4 Car Rental or mycar. These providers also have vehicles with snorkels available (Land Rover and Landcruiser).

If you drive a regular rental car on an F-road and something happens, you lose your insurance coverage. If you "float away" in a river ford, you have to completely replace the car to your rental company. This can get expensive and happens more than 500 times in summer.

Popular campers are small cheap campers like the Dacia Duster with a mattress in the trunk. Among us experienced campers, these cars have a bad reputation because providers do not educate about general behaviors on campsites (they don't care at all). These low-budget campers were our low-light. Tips for camping in Iceland with information on campsites have therefore been written in a separate article.

For a drive on the Ring Road, I recommend the Iceland travel guide by Michael Müller Verlag: Traveling individually with many practical tips. It's small, light, and compact, listing all important tips and following the Ring Road from Reykjavik clockwise (even if the edition is older). Every turn, recommended accommodations, and sights are marked down to the kilometer. My must-have for every tour on the Ring Road.

Warning! It's essential that you use the most current edition of any guide. Tourism in Iceland is developing so rapidly that streets that were previously marked as F-roads are suddenly paved and thus passable for a standard vehicle. This is the case for the road to Dettifoss, which is still listed as a gravel road, but is now no problem for the tourist buses.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have more ideas or questions, we would love to hear your comments here on the travel blog.

If you have no questions: We still look forward to your feedback and hope you share it with friends! Thank you for reading this far.

If you follow the Ring Road, you can't go wrong. But the real adventures are hidden off the road. Just turn onto one of the many offshoots, drive into the highlands, or directly to the sea. Discover Iceland away from the main road!

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