by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:24th April 2018
Day Four, Iceland’s Ring Road
I’m running out of superlatives!Our ‘to do’ list is long for today section of our Icelandic road trip, so, in the chariot and saddled up by 8:30. We head back into to Vik to catch the view across the bay and the Vik i Myrdal Church, that was a blanket of mist yesterday, although drizzle was still hanging in the air.
Today’s planned route should be a distance of around 172miles/278km. Which is predominately along the Ring Road, with regular spurs branching off to see the magnificent scenery.
For our overnight accommodation in Höfn we chose to stay at the Milk Factory (yes it was an old milk factory).
(You can pick-up any part of our Iceland Road Trip at the bottom of this post, along with a map of our route and the 'Highlight of the Day' for each of us.)
Why not Pin it for later?
Off to explore more of Iceland
A cave to ourselvesNo sooner we had departed Vik, and we were at our first planned stop at Hjörleifshöfði Cave (I can’t even attempt to pronounce that), just 9miles/15km along the road.
Almost an alien landscape in Iceland
We headed about 2.5km along a gravel track, parked up and continued the last km on foot, across what appeared to be a lava track. It was certainly worth the walk, and we were the only ones there.
The outside of Hjörleifshöfði Cave
Looking out of Hjörleifshöfði Cave
It felt quite eerie being on our own there, in silence as water dripped from the cave roof on to what only can be described as lunar landscape below.
Our Advice
Go for a 4×4 for the reasonable ground clearance it affords you. You can, of course, hire a 2-wheel drive vehicle, but you are not permitted to drive on ‘F’ roads and other tracks.
Our experience was that even access to certain Points of Interest along roads a regular 2-wheel drive wouldn’t get you there. Trust us.
Rugged Iceland
Fjaðrárgljúfur GorgeNext stop along we detour off to visit the Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge. Slightly boggier and damper than I’d hoped, but there is nothing you can do about the weather.
Looking along Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge
To appreciate the gorge’s full potential, you need to head up the hill (boots are needed here), peer over the crevice and you’ll be rewarded a with a stunning view of the gorge below and the river running along the bottom of the valley.
At the top of the Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge
Where to stay in Höfn
In Höfn we chose to stay at the Milk Factory.
Breakfast included or available nearby.
Scooby snacks along the way can be expensive.
Parking is a requirement, as this is a road trip after all.
Nearby cafés/eateries, or onsite restaurant for the evening.
Preferably a close-by fuel station; they can be few and far between en route.
Another Waterfall in Iceland
Foss a SiduWith the rain beginning to worsen we jump back in the car and continue our journey. Weaving our way along Iceland's Ring Road, we are keeping our eyes peeled for ‘Foss a Sidu’ a roadside waterfall. We are treated to another couple of waterfalls en-route, but we held out. Even though you couldn’t get to close, it was still beautiful.
Foss a Sidu waterfall
Then just around the bend, we are greeted with a raging river and waterfall, we couldn’t resist jumping out again.
Roadside rapids
Useful tips for driving in Iceland
If you are planning a road trip around Iceland particularly over the winter months you need to be very aware of the ever-changing road and weather conditions. During winter, parts of the Ring Road may be impassable, and you may not get to areas of the country you intended to.
Regularly check the conditions by using these useful websites and apps, believe me, they will come in handy.
- Icelandic Met Office
- The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration – Vegagerdin also has an app.
We have also written a post packed with tips for driving in Iceland based on our research and experience than may be worth checking out.
Discovering Iceland
The Pièce de résistanceOur Icelandic road trip continues and the next spectacle which was to emerge into our view was a glacier. I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing, as we drove closer the ice blue vision was becoming large and almost appeared to swallow up the landscape in front of it.
Our first view of the glacier, Iceland
Only a handful of occasions have I ever seen such a natural sight, so incredibly jaw-dropping.
As we continued further it crept closer, there was a viewpoint we headed along, and you were able to drive along a gravel track to the end.
However, it wasn't until we got out that Gary noticed we could drive over the top of an incline and head closer to the glacier. Needless to say, that is what we did & it was stunning.
Janis getting closer to the glacier
Breathtaking Iceland
Mountain capsContinuing our drive along the side of the mountains we see ice caps encroaching from between the mountain tops.
Skaftafellsjökull flowing towards you
How far will this tongue of the glacier shift within the next 1,000 years, I wonder?
If you're tempted to tour the Land of Fire and Ice and would love to discover the whole country, then take a look at this DK Eyewitness book. This Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide is invaluable, I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into searching for more.
You can now grab the revised copy.
Natural Iceland
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better.Back on Iceland's Ring Road and we headed closer and closer towards one of the ice cap’s tongues. Turning off onto a very bumpy gravel track (not even deterring a motorhome), we arrived at the edge of the Svínafellsjökull glacier.
The layers of ice and ash trapped within the Svínafellsjökull
It was almost touching distance. I'll say it again, but, it was breath-taking.
Up close to the Svínafellsjökull glacier
Gary and I very reluctantly left as “time waits for no man”, and diamonds were gathering for me on a black beach, or so I was told!!!
At the Svínafellsjökull glacier edge
Planning your trip to Iceland
So you're planning a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice? There is so much to see and do in Iceland that you'll wish you were staying longer. To ensure you make the most out of your visit, head over to the official website of Visit Iceland for a little help and guidance.
Have fun!
Experiencing Iceland
Diamonds are ForeverEven though the weather had turned to heavy rain it had not stopped us loving our Icelandic adventure; we were on a high after the glacier, next stop Diamond Beach.
An Ice rock on Diamond Beach
Well that put another smile on my face, although I had seen images of Jökulsárlón ice beach, I somehow really didn't expect to see the crystal-clear jewels for myself, I didn't think we would be that lucky.
Scattered on Diamond Beach
How wrong was I, incredible once again, however a little bit too big for my gin & tonic?
Janis with a big diamond on the beach
Finding the right car for your Icelandic Road Trip
Discover Iceland’s enchanting Ring Road with its rugged landscape or the waterfalls and geysers around the Golden Circle for yourself.
If you want to explore Iceland's F-Roads, you must have a 4x4, but we'd recommend one anyway for the improved driving position, and if the weather turns, you have a touch of added protection.
We recommend Rental Cars as they search multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the deals that suit you the best.
A full day in Iceland
Die Another DayHas anyone spotted the Bond theme?
Across the road from Jökulsárlón ice beach is Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, here is where part of James Bond’s film Die Another Day was shot.
Ice broken off the glacier in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon,
As huge parts of the glacier break away into the blue waters of the lagoon, icebergs are then seen floating in the peaceful waters. The Glacier Lagoon flows through into the Atlantic Ocean and washes up the huge chunks of ice that appear on the black sandy beach.
Iceberg ahead in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
A short journey then onto Höfn where we refuelled and our base for the night.
Gratis
All the sights we visited today were free of charge.
Our Advice
It’s your adventure, include whatever takes your fancy. Stop as often as you like, but obviously use a layby or a car park. Don’t just stop on the side of the road, be considerate and be aware of your surroundings.
Our Iceland Road Trip
The routeThe route that we took today was once again pretty straightforward along the Ring Road, with a few detours and stops along the way. So, in total, our journey was about 289km (180 miles) and with all the stops took us about 8 hours.
In search of the Northern Lights
If you are Northern Light hunting, you need to be aware of the sunset & darkness times and the KP Index for the evening. It also requires dark and partly clear skies.
KP Index scale ranges from 0 to 9;
0-2: Low
2-3: Moderate
4-6: A big solar storm is coming
7-9: Highly unusual
You can monitor this via the Icelandic Met Office which is updated around 6 pm.
Where we stayed in Höfn
Our stopoverFor the one night, we were based in Höfn; we stayed at the Milk Factory (yes it was an old milk factory).
The hotel was comfortable, it was just on the edge of town and did not have on-site restaurant facilities, so you needed to pop into Höfn to eat or pick up supplies.
The view from the Milk Factory, Höfn
It is in an incredibly peaceful location, and from our room, we could see the edge of a glacier.
We headed into the harbour town and ate at Pakkhús Restaurant, which served wonderful local produce, especially the langoustines & liquorice crème brûlée.
Tomorrow, we are heading onto Egilsstaðir, and passing into a region of Iceland that's less popular.
A direct route of 157 miles/253km, but some of the route will be on gravel so the speeds will reduced.
Highlight of the Day
Every trip Gary and I go on, whether it’s a mini-break near or far or a road trip we chose a ‘Highlight of the Day’, here they are for day 4.
Janis; The glaciers without a doubt, there’s not much that can leave me standing in absolute awe.
Gary; Yep, it's the glacier for me too. To see the edge of a wall of ice that is flowing so slowly you can't see it, and is shaping the landscape - amazing.
Trips to try in Iceland
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