How long is the Iceland Ring Road: 7 Days Around the Island route?

This route takes 7 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Reykjavik to Reykjavik in Ring Road / Whole Country, Iceland.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September: open roads, midnight sun.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Iceland Ring Road: 7 Days Around the Island

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The route · 7 stops

6 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Reykjavik

1 night

Iceland's capital, compact and creative. Use the first evening to walk the Old Harbour, visit Hallgrímskirkja, and stock a cool box before the clockwise loop begins the next morning. Pick up the hire car early on day two.Iceland's capital, compact and creative. Use the first evening to walk the Old Harbour, visit Hallgrímskirkja, and stock a cool box before the clockwise loop begins the next morning. Pick up the hire car early on day two.

Recommendations

2h 57m · 212 km drive to Vík í Mýrdal

Vík í Mýrdal

2 nights

The South Coast's essential two-night base. Drive in from Reykjavik via Seljalandsfoss (walkable behind the falls) and Skógafoss. From Vík: Reynisfjara black sand beach with basalt columns, Dyrhólaey sea arch, and the Sólheimasandur plane wreck on black sand.The South Coast's essential two-night base. Drive in from Reykjavik via Seljalandsfoss (walkable behind the falls) and Skógafoss. From Vík: Reynisfjara black sand beach with basalt columns, Dyrhólaey sea arch, and the Sólheimasandur plane wreck on black sand.

Recommendations

3h 45m · 270 km drive to Höfn

Höfn

1 night

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon sits 80 km west of Höfn and is the unmissable stop on the drive from Vík. Icebergs drift across the wide lagoon; Diamond Beach catches the same ice on black sand. Höfn itself is Iceland's langoustine capital.Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon sits 80 km west of Höfn and is the unmissable stop on the drive from Vík. Icebergs drift across the wide lagoon; Diamond Beach catches the same ice on black sand. Höfn itself is Iceland's langoustine capital.

Recommendations

2h 9m · 155 km drive to Egilsstaðir

Egilsstaðir

1 night

The main hub of East Iceland, reached via the spectacular East Fjords coast. Route 1 winds into every inlet on the 265 km drive from Höfn; the fjord roads slow average speed to around 50 km/h, so allow four hours and enjoy the unhurried pace.The main hub of East Iceland, reached via the spectacular East Fjords coast. Route 1 winds into every inlet on the 265 km drive from Höfn; the fjord roads slow average speed to around 50 km/h, so allow four hours and enjoy the unhurried pace.

Recommendations

2h 18m · 165 km drive to Lake Mývatn

Lake Mývatn

1 night

Iceland's most otherworldly landscape: a shallow lake ringed with volcanic craters, lava formations (Dimmuborgir), steaming fumaroles, and geothermal pools. Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, is an hour north and worth the detour.Iceland's most otherworldly landscape: a shallow lake ringed with volcanic craters, lava formations (Dimmuborgir), steaming fumaroles, and geothermal pools. Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, is an hour north and worth the detour.

Recommendations

56m · 67 km drive to Akureyri

Akureyri

1 night

Iceland's second city and the northern hub. Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, is 50 km east on the drive from Mývatn and has a dramatic curved 12-metre drop linked to Iceland's adoption of Christianity in 1000 AD. Fill up here before the long return south.Iceland's second city and the northern hub. Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, is 50 km east on the drive from Mývatn and has a dramatic curved 12-metre drop linked to Iceland's adoption of Christianity in 1000 AD. Fill up here before the long return south.

Recommendations

On the way

Reykjavik
4h 28m · 322 km
Close the loop back in the capital after the Ring Road's longest leg: the 380 km drive west from Akureyri takes around five hours on Route 1. Drop the car, or spend a final night before onward travel.Close the loop back in the capital after the Ring Road's longest leg: the 380 km drive west from Akureyri takes around five hours on Route 1. Drop the car, or spend a final night before onward travel.
Recommendations

Iceland Ring Road: 7 Days Around the Island