The majority of our time in Iceland was spent exploring the Ring Road, also known as Route 1. It is a national road that encircles the entire island. It's one of the most popular ways to explore Iceland as it offers a convenient route to see many of the country's most iconic attractions. We took about a week to drive the road around the island. We started from Hella, after completing the golden Circle, and drove counterclockwise around the country.

Waterfalls are plentiful in Iceland, and we stopped to view many on our journey around the ring road. In all we stopped at seven waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is renowned for its unique feature: visitors can walk behind the waterfall. Just be sure to wear waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes, as you will get wet if you walk the trail behind the falls.

One of Iceland’s largest waterfalls is Skógafoss. It is an impressive approximate 60 meters (197 feet) high and 25 meters (82 feet) wide and you and can climb 527-step staircase to reach the top of the waterfall, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the top of the falls.

Skútafoss is a smaller waterfall and not as well known. Still, it is worth the stop. If you walk to the bottom of the falls, you will be rewarded with the discovery of a small accessible cave.

Off the beaten path on an F-road (gravel road), you’ll find Folaldafoss. The landscape around here is more rugged, with vast stretches of moss-covered lava fields and snow-capped mountains looming in the distance.

One of the tallest waterfalls in the country is Hengifoss at about 128 meters (420 feet) high. A 1.5-mile hike is required to reach the falls. The hike is quite scenic, leading through a beautiful gorge, towering basalt columns, and distinctive red layers of clay sandwiched between layers of basalt rock, make it worth the trek.

The most powerful waterfall in Europe in terms of volume discharge is Dettifoss. It has an average water flow of about 193 cubic meters per second. In good weather, the falls can be accessed from both the east and west, but when we visited only the west side was open and the ground was snow covered. Even so, it was well worth the walk across the snow-covered paths to the roaring falls.

Goðafoss is often referred to as the "Waterfall of the Gods,” due to a legend has that when Þorgeir made Christianity the official religion, he supposedly threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall. With viewing areas on both sides of the Goðafoss, a steel and wood pedestrian bridge allows you to walk from one side to the other for unobstructed views of the waterfall and surrounding landscape. There is also a gift shop conveniently located on one side with amenities.

Glaciers are also an iconic natural feature of Iceland. We stopped by Svínafellsjökull where a short hike took us to a great view of the glacier. Various sizes of ice can be found on land and floating in the lagoon at the glacier’s edge. You are able to walk among the ice.

An even bigger glacier lagoon can be found at Jökulsárlón. Large stunning blue icebergs, which break off from the glacier, float gracefully in the lagoon before drifting out to sea. You can walk from the lagoon to the beach and walk among the ice that gets wash onto the black sand. The glistening ice on the black sand gives the beach its name of Diamond Beach.

Along the ring road is another geothermal area, Hverir. It is known for its otherworldly landscape characterized by bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and vibrant sulfur deposits. Here visitors can witness the raw power of geothermal activity up close, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of this dynamic environment. However, due to the high temperatures and sulfuric gases present in the area, be advised to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines while exploring Hverir.

The road follows the coast in many places offering amazing views of coastline including some with unique rock formations. Dyrhólaey is a promontory located on the southern coast of Iceland. It’s most iconic feature of is its natural arch, which has been formed through erosion over millennia. The arch stands prominently on the edge of the cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding black sand beaches, the Atlantic Ocean, and the nearby Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

Arnarstapi is a small coastal village located on the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, which is known for its dramatic cliffs, sea arches, and basalt rock formations. One of the notable attractions near Arnarstapi is the Gatklettur arch, a natural stone arch formation that extends out into the ocean.

Hvitserkur, which is a striking rock formation located off the shore of the Vatnsnes Peninsula in northern Iceland, is often referred to as the "drinking dragon" or "drinking dinosaur" due to its unique shape, which resembles a creature stooping down to drink from the ocean. The rock is approximately 15 meters tall and is composed of basalt, a common volcanic rock in Iceland.

The last day we ventured off the ring road and onto the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We did a tour of Vatnshellir Cave, which is a lava cave or tube. Access to the cave is through guided tours. The tours involve descending into the cave using a staircase and exploring its lava-formed chambers and tunnels. Guides provide insights into how the cave was formed by volcanic activity and explain the unique features inside. Unlike most cave tours in the U.S., there are no permanent lights or paved walkways. Instead, each person is giving a small flashlight, and you walk on the natural cave floor.

In addition to lots of geological formations, animals were a part of our Iceland adventure. In Vik, 5 of us went on a horseback riding tour. The Icelandic horses are smaller and very gentle, and we got to ride on the black sand beach. That evening we returned to the same beach. We were rewarded with the sight of many puffins coming to roost for the night on sea cliffs. Along the road, we caught sight of reindeer roaming freely in a few places.

The Iceland Ring Road is not just a route but a gateway to experiencing the diverse natural beauty and unique culture of Iceland. It is a great way to visit famous landmarks and natural wonders, making it a worthwhile addition to any trip to Iceland.

Iceland – Ring Road

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