The travel bug is in the air – and even though most people can’t afford to leave the country thanks to a financially stressful year, who said road trips are completely out of the question? If you live in or near Iceland, this might be the perfect holiday getaway for you. Fair warning, though: you will have to burn some serious rubber for this trip.
Independent Travel Cats | The Icelandic Ring Road runs for over 800 miles
Suppose thunderous waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, jagged icebergs, daunting glaciers, eye-watering boiling Sulphur mud pools, brooding cloud-topped volcanoes, and tortured lava plains are your jazz. In that case, it's time to head down to the Iceland Ring Road.
Reykjavik
Your journey starts with the world’s northernmost capital and Iceland’s largest city, Reykjavik. We recommend taking a detour to Grindavik, where you’ll find the Blue Lagoon spa. A soothing dip in its mineral-rich bright blue waters at a perfect 38°C is the best way to start your road trip. If you’re lucky enough, you might even catch sight of the Northern Lights.
USA Today | Seeing the Northern Lights is an experience everyone must have at least once in their life
Snæfellsjökull Volcano
If you’ve read Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, you’re bound to know this volcano as the doorway to the center of the Earth. While this road trip might have you seeing one too many glaciers, the 700,000-year-old Snæfellsnes volcano topped with masses of glacial ice is sure to take the cake.
Goðafoss and Skogafoss Waterfalls
Since Goðafoss translates to "of the gods", you don't need us to tell you just how magically breathtaking this majestic waterfall is. Located just south of Húsavík, it measures 30 meters in width and falls about 12 meters. Full disclosure: you might feel the spray even from 20 yards away. Its rival, the Skogafoss waterfall, stands 25 meters in width and drops from 60 meters. Take a picture with the waterfall – your minuscule self will surely bring on some laughs.
Námafjall Hverir
Not much into nature? No problem, because at one point, the Ring Road turns completely barren in nature. This wonderful geothermal area will have you relishing in sulfurous mud pools, steam springs, all reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Be warned, the temperature here rises to a whopping 200°C.
Reynisfjara and Skeiðarársandur
From Reynisfjara, the black sand beach, you’ll be able to witness the amazing basalt cliff, Gardar, as well as a series of basalt sea stacks. Also, the faint scent of seaweeds just elevates the experience to a whole new level. If you like that, just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at Skaftárhraun, you’ll find what is popularly known as a black desert.
Global Dutchie | Who doesn’t love the aesthetic bliss of a good old black sand beach?
In Essence…
There’s nothing quite as wholesome and diverse as the Icelandic Ring Road – giving you the best of all nature has to offer. So what are you waiting for? Round up your roadster and get packing! You’ve got some nature to see.
