Iceland’s south coast

Route description

From Reykjavík, head inland to Þingvellir, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart and Iceland’s parliament met from 930. A path runs through the Almannagjá rift to the old assembly site, with the lake and lava fields below.

From Þingvellir, drop south to the Ring Road, Route 1, and follow it east across the farmland of the south coast. Seljalandsfoss, a 60 m waterfall, has a path behind the curtain of water, so bring a waterproof jacket; Skógafoss, another large waterfall, is a little further on.

The mountain campsite at Vík is a good overnight stop below green cliffs. Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, next to the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, where sudden large waves are a real danger, so keep well back from the water.

East of Vík the road crosses wide sand plains and moss-covered lava fields to Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon full of icebergs that drift out to a black-sand beach, and on to the fishing town of Höfn. Overnight stays in campervans are allowed only at campsites, strong winds can rip car doors open, and F-roads are off limits for ordinary rental cars and motorhomes.