Fantastic drives await beyond the Golden Circle.
My fingers were prune . It was a small price to pay for a easygoing soak in steamy thermal pools , while swooning over the snow - capped mountains in the length . There are few places in the human beings where you may find yourself unwinding in a rude spicy spring , surrounded by otherworldly scenery within hour of landing , and Iceland is one of them . And if you rent yourself a car , an copiousness of steamy options unfurl across the roads of this raging and moth-eaten land .
Iceland is for certain no secret , but getting off - the - beaten - path is still potential , if you know where to go . That ’s where the Westfjords area comes in . West Iceland and the Westfjords have a Viking - steep treasure trove of adventuresome excursions . The ‘ Westfjords Way ’ is a 590 - mile iteration through one of the more remote areas of Iceland . drive it in its entirety would require about a week , but this particular curated route can be done in three or four mean solar day . This stretch features the southerly portion , as well as a lesser - traversed course to get you there .
This road will take you to four innate hot springs , all wildly unlike but big on scene , as well as fitting snuggle into nature , falls , stunning fjord , and an retiring eatery with the good fish and splintering in the country . You ’ll have the hazard to wave at Icelandic horses and stop for random picnics , all just another casual twenty-four hour period on the route in Iceland . Prepare to hold back every five minutes;the views are doltishly prettyand the photos are n’t going to take themselves .
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Best time to road trip in Iceland
Republic of Iceland is one of those destinations that ’s heavy class - orotund . You ’ll want affectionate layers regardless , so it all depend if you ’d rather see the northerly lights or the midnight Lord’s Day
This westerly - centrical route is best explored between May and September , when the weather condition is typically more favorable … emphasis ontypically . wintertime is n’t as feasible in this area , since a cocktail of paved and stick roadstead means that offhanded blizzard and glacial term can make driving punic , especially on the unplowed road that are close during abrasive weather . And yes , it can even snow in May . Plus , many businesses are also closed in the cold months , wee it hard for eating and drinking during your trip , aside from gas station live dogs . debate the sweet spot towards the end of May or beginning of June , or the first couple weeks of September in order of magnitude to avoid peak season and outrageous prices .
How to drive in Iceland
If there were ever a place to rent a 4x4 fomite , it ’s Iceland . Not all roads are paved , in fact , many are gravel or grunge , particularly in the more rural areas . To get really off the shell path , you may make up one’s mind to venture on some of the F roads , which are unpaved dirt and gravel tracks that require 4x4 lastingness . They ’re loosely only open during the summertime months as well . sure F road are so hairy that they ’re deemed forbidden by some car rental ship’s company , so it ’s wise to hold on this beforehand .
Renting a fomite in Iceland is n’t cheap and it ’s not the case of place where you want to skimp on the policy , either . In increase to regular reportage for hit , extra coverage option for affair like sand , ash , gravel , and water impairment provide peace of mind while exploring Iceland ’s irregular and sometimes undue weather conditions . A healthy gust of wind could whip up out of nowhere and send out gravel properly into your windscreen , pass on a burden of fixing up to you . Both reflexive and manual transmittance cars are available through many companies , but reserve an automatic will be pricier .
Keflavik to Dalir
Once you ’ve landed at the Keflavik International Airport and pick up your snazzy rental car , you ’ll want to hit the route north towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula . The first stop is a live leaping , at Landbrotalaug Hot Pot . Situated on the southern boundary of the peninsula off of Route 54 , this itty - bitty natural thermal pool has a very secluded , intimate feeling . All of which is idealistic after a two time of day driving force fire by K meantime and the promise of comfort waters . How romantic of you , Iceland .
Post soaking , you ’ll start to get a substantial taste of the striking landscape where each bend in the route reveals a new pile or gullet , and there are so many waterfalls that it ’s unmanageable to keep numeration . The three or more hr will fly by in a whir of extreme beauty as you thin out across the peninsula via Route 56 . This is a great time to spot Icelandic knight and take the air behind the relatively unknown Selvallafoss falls .
Never heard of Dalir ? Perfect .
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This neighborhood sits where the more pop Snaefellsnes Peninsula meets the Westfjords region , correctly in the armpit of the little - jazz peninsula of Fellsströnd and Skarðsströnd . Driving the crushed rock Route 590 that skirts the slide will be bumpy , but look at you , get very much off - the - beaten - itinerary on your first day .
You ’ll terminate up at theVogur Country Lodge , an idealistic smear to roost up with its own falls and a friendly dog . Here , view of the bay and the nearby islands are mesmerizing . Do yourself a favor and allow a table for dinner party , where you could tuck into local menu like new catch trout , homemade rye bread , lamb , and more . Relax in the onsite red-hot tub and do n’t miss the quick 15 - minute boost to the “ backyard ” cascades .
This is where you pinch yourself and realize this was well worth the roundabout way .
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Dalir to Hagi
It ’s time for the main event : a meandering drive along the fjord - ridden southern coast of the Westfjords that will repeatedly take your breath aside . But first , you ’ll get to drive through Klofningur , a natural split where the route move between two rocks .
Stop at the Staðarhólskirkja church service , one of the oldest manors in the commonwealth as you make your means along the last 30 miles of Route 590 . Your launching to the Westfjords begins as presently as you make that leave behind act onto Route 60 and cross the span . preparation your drool - bucketful for the next 80 miles as you navigate the southerly portion of the Westfjords Way — it ’s just that gorgeous .
extend your leg with an easy five moment walk to the Þingmannaá falls , a stunner that ’s been featured in several Icelandic films yet remain comparatively unnamed to tourists . Then , labour a bit further to the other side of the fjord to warm up , hot give expressive style . Hellulaug is a little more well - hump , so you might encounter fellow blistering fountain fancier , but once you see it , you wo n’t care . The geothermal pool sits oceanside in the Vatnsfjörður nature reserve , with plenty of room to conciliate a mathematical group , and there ’s even a small country where you’re able to typeset your belongings .
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Once you ’ve had your fill , hop in the car for another 15 - minute parkway up the Westfjords Way to check intoMóra Guesthouse , an flat - style fitting right off the route with the absolute best feature of speech across from it . The Krosslaug raging spring and pool is so nigh that you’re able to essentially dart across the street in your washup cause and towel . Staying here gives you the skilful fortune of snag a soak all to yourself if you watch over the parking area like a hawk from the window of your stoppage . The seaside concrete hot pool flaunts epic mountain views , as it should .
Hagi to Dynjandi
fix your warning signal for early , cause there ’s a lot of ground to cover on this stretch . After your morning soaking ( you fuck you will ) , it ’s time to be dazzled by more Westfjords magic . This branch covers 105 miles and lands you centerstage in front of the region ’s bragging waterfall as the grand finale . From the guesthouse , a 15 - minute cause along the glide bring you to the scenic Kleifaheidi Pass , a section of passel route that might make you fascinate the steering cycle a little tighter . ensure to get your waving arm quick as you pass the Kleifabui Statue , a 16 and a half foot stone man with his ownFacebook page . He ’s said to learn over travelers on the route , and it ’s customary to wave to him .
Ten more minutes up the road and onto Route 612 , Garðar BA 64 , the oldest blade ship in Iceland sit down beach , tired from its whaling days . This alone site in Patreksfjörðurmakes for outstanding photo chance and is en route to your next stop , Rauðisandur Beach . This red sand beach is approachable via half an hour ’s movement along a winding gravel road , where the reclusive shoreline wait , and most likely some outspoken seabirds and unbothered seals .
After your sandy stroll , you ’ll have to backtrack to attain the independent drag again , but do n’t choke , because there ’s nutrient in your imminent future . In the next minute or so on the road , your task is to run up an appetite , if you have n’t already .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
You ca n’t go to Iceland without eating some Pisces the Fishes and chips . favorable for you , this portion of your misstep include a stop atVegamot Bildudal , a market store with a little eating place in the back that dishes up what is said to be “ the better Pisces and chips in Iceland . ” Paired with a Gull beer , it ’s an icy paradise .
Refueled and quick to undertake the last hour , Dynjandi Waterfall is a little over an hour away . true not a hidden gem , the famous cascade is still deserving a gander — there ’s a reason it ’s so well - known . Crowned the “ Jewel of the Westfjords , ” this shower is almost 330 feet marvellous with six small fall that run beneath the main thundering behemoth . Hike the rocky path to get up close and personal . After a 15 - minute jaunt , savor in the Icelandic mist .
Pop back on Route 60 to cut back down to the southerly coastline in about 40 - minutes . This will put you in a solid situation for your trek back towards Reykjavik or Keflavik the undermentioned 24-hour interval . You ’ll log Z’s well tonight ; post up atHótel Flókalundur , which , by chance , positions you practically next to Hellulaug , so you should believably love a repeat oceanside soaking .
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Dynjandi to Reykjavik
There are a duo of fun surprise save for the route back to the south , include one more hot spring and some diachronic turf houses . Take in the Westfjords scenery for the last time along Route 60 as you head to the south for about two minute .
Less than a twain miles off the main road , in the Sælingsdalur Valley , is the Guðrúnarlaug red-hot pool . A dip in the thermic amniotic fluid here sense like a portal back in time — Viking - clock time , to be exact . A waterfall and minuscule hut for changing add to the allure of the lifelike red-hot tub , with a H2O temperature as penny-pinching to perfect as you may get . This blistering puddle get along with a side of folklore , tie to the illustrious Laxdæla Saga and its tragic love story , detailed on the informational polarity .
Half an minute ’s drive to Stora Vatnshorn lend you to the Eiriksstadir Viking Longhouse , a living museum with a replica turfhouse . duty tour are available in the peak time of year or you could walk around the area and see the outside of the turfhouse on your own . If you have time , it ’s worth the little detour .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
From here , spend a night in the capital city of Reykjavik before heading back to the airport . Once out of the car , you may lead off to enfold your head around the thoroughgoing beauty you ’ve just witness while exploring some of Iceland ’s unheard - of nooks and crevice . You ’ll quickly realize the detour is always worth it in Iceland .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
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Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
