Route of Day 2
🚗 189km & 3h05
Below you would find all the details of the most important and recommended points of interest in this area. Although it can also be complemented with more sites or activities that you will see at the end.
Urriðafoss
The Þjórsá river is the longest river in Iceland, about 230km from the source to the sea. Urriðafoss is the waterfall through which flows the largest amount of water of this river.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ Free
🚗 19min from Selfoss
⏳ 15min
💡 Tips: It may be the first stop of the day. But if you need to shorten the trip, this is one of the stops you can skip, as this waterfall is not one of the most impressive, and thus have time for other more interesting places.
Stóra-Dímon
Stóra-Dímon is a 120m mountain in the middle of a plain in front of the Markarfljót river valley. From the top you can see the volcano, the plain and the river delta in perspective.
ℹ️ Useful information
🚗 47min from Urriðafoss
⏳ 15min
💡 Tips: The final part before arriving is along road 250, which is not asphalted. Therefore, it has many holes and you have to slow down to be careful with the car. If it is not a 4×4, it can be risky and may not be recommended.
The views are beautiful, but if you need to shorten the trip, this is one of the stops that you can skip and thus have time for other more interesting sites. Because the detour to there is 20min round trip, and the 15min to visit. So you could reduce 35min.
Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrafoss ⭐️
From the circular road you will be able to see the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you will be able to see 360º, as there is a path that passes under the waterfall.
AIn addition, you can follow a 15min path that will take you to the Gljúfrafoss waterfall (also known as Gljúfrabúi). You will have to go into a canyon, passing through the stones of a stream, to get to the foot of the waterfall.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ 1.000 ISK
🚾
🛍️ Souvenirs shop and Foodtruck with food and beverages
🚗 11min from Stóra-Dímon
⏳ 45min – 1h
💡 Tips:
- It is important to bring waterproof clothing and/or raincoat for the 2 waterfalls, as you will get quite wet from the waterfalls. In addition, it is also advisable to wear goretex shoes, both for the water of the waterfalls, as well as for the stream to cross.
- If you have time and want to do another waterfall, you can go to Sauðafoss waterfall. You will have to walk 46min one way from Gljúfrafoss and another 50min back to the parking.
📸 Views of Seljalandsfoss waterfall from the front (1) and behind the waterfall (2); Gljúfrafoss waterfall (3).
Skógafoss ⭐️
Skógafoss is one of the most impressive waterfalls with a fall of 62m high. You can see it from a distance and as you get closer you can admire how it gets higher. In addition, you can see its mysterious side by the mist that hides it, generated by the droplets in suspension of the falling water.
To the right of the waterfall there is a staircase with about 400 steps that will take you to the top. The views from the top let you admire the surrounding landscape, but the waterfall itself is not so much appreciated.
💡 Tips: So if it’s a lot of stairs and you don’t want to go any further, it might not be worth it.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ 600 ISK/car
🚗 29min from Seljalandsfoss
⏳ 1h (including the ascent of the stairs and a 20min walk along the paths at the top of the waterfall)
If you explore a little bit the trails at the top of the waterfall, you can discover the scenery and skirt Hestavaðsfoss, another smaller waterfall, in just 20min (round trip) from the stairs leading to the top of Skógafoss.
💡 Tips: there are more trails in this area that you can explore, but they are not included in the time of this stop.
Kvernufoss ♦️
The path to Kvernufoss starts in the plain and it goes into a canyon that ends at the waterfall.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ 750 ISK with App Parka
🚗 6min from Skógafoss
⏳ 30min
💡 Tips: You may not find the waterfall too impressive after what you have seen throughout the day, but the views from behind the waterfall with the canyon are spectacular.
Sólheimajökull ♦️
Sólheimajökull is one of the most easily accessible glacier tongues and is about 11km long, although it gets smaller as time goes by.
You will be able to observe the ice tongue and the melting ice lake with small icebergs breaking off from the glacier tongue.
If this is your first contact with a glacier, you will be amazed!
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ 750 ISK with App Parka
🚾 200 ISK
🚗 14min from Kvernufoss
⏳ 1h (30min to the viewpoint and then a 30min walk to the glacier)
💡 Tips:
- You will be able to walk up to the glacier, but it is forbidden to walk over the glacier if you do not have the proper equipment. Although there is no one to control and you will be able to pass, be careful, as the ground is very deceiving. It looks like you are on land, but it is actually ice. In addition, it is melting on the outside, so the ground is slippery, and also inside the glacier, creating “crevasses” (deep cracks in the ice).
- If you want to take a tour of the glacier, you can hire them in advance, although I would recommend doing it in Jökulsárlón.
💻 Troll Expeditions (with an office onsite) ; Icelandic Mountain Guide
Dyrhólaey ⭐️
Dyrhólaey is a viewpoint where you can see the whole plain, from the sea and the black beach, to rock formations and glaciers, if the sky is clear.
The ledge is a natural bird reserve, where in the summer months many birds, such as puffins, can be seen.
You can also see an arch-shaped rock formation of 120m high.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ Free
🚗 24min from Sólheimajökull glacier
⏳ 30min
💡 Tips:
- The best time of day to visit is at sunrise or sunset, because of the colors of the landscape.
- During the nesting season from mid-May to mid-June, the area may be closed (partially or totally).
- There are 2 parking lots, one at the top near the lighthouse and one at the base. I would recommend parking at the top one, to start at the viewpoint, although you must have an off-road car to get up the slope well. Also, if you have time, you can go down to the parking lot at the base so you can walk around some more.
Loftsalahellir ♦️
At the top of a hill is the Loftsalahellir cave, where the sagas gathered at the time. You can see the hill of Dyrhólaey viewpoint and the plain from another point of view.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ Free
🚗 5min from Dyrhólaey viewpoint
⏳ 15min
💡 Tips:
- The slope to reach the cave is quite steep. First there are some “steps” in the ground that facilitate the ascent, but then it gets more complicated, with a more slippery climb. So you have to be careful and measure your chances.
- The cave is on the way from Dyrhólaey viewpoint, but in our case we preferred to make the stop after Dyrhólaey viewpoint to ensure that we had time to enjoy Dyrhólaey and cut back if necessary at this stop.
Besides, it does not influence the route, nor does it make you go backwards, since you have to go back through the cave to go to the next stop, Reynisfjara beach.
Reynisfjara ⭐️
Reynisfjara is a black sand beach. You may have seen it from the Dyrhólaey viewpoint.
On the beach you can see the basalt columns, one of the most famous aspects of this beach, reminds of a church organ.
In addition, you can find several caves n the cliff walls, such as Hálsanefshellir Cave, and you can see rock formations in the water, Reynisdrangar / Reynisdrangur.
Regarding animals, in season you might see puffins diving from the cliffs, or seals sticking their heads out near the shore of the beach.
ℹ️ Useful information
🅿️ 1.000 ISK in P1 and 750 ISK in P2 with App Parka
-> 💡 Tips: the parking lots are next to each other, so if you don’t mind walking a little bit more, you can save a little bit in P2
🚗 15min from Loftsalahellir cave
⏳ 45min
💡 Tips: the beach is one of the most famous spots, so it is usually crowded. You can go at sunrise or sunset, which would be more appropriate for our planning, but even so, you will not see it empty.
Vík í Mýrdal
Vík í Mýrdal or Vík (asecas) is the southernmost town in Iceland, although very rainy. It is one of the most visited villages, due to its location on the route around the island and close to so many places to visit. Therefore, the search for accommodation is sometimes complicated.
ℹ️ Useful information
🚗 12min from Reynisfjara beach
What else to see?
The recommendations for day 2 end up visiting Vik, but here are a few more activities in case you have more time or are more interested in others.
- Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
One of the activities that is usually recommended is to visit the fallen plane. To get there you need to take a bus or walk for about 2 hours (although apparently it is not worth it, since it is all flat and arid).
In our case, we preferred not to do it and invest the time in seeing other palces.
🅿️ 1.000 ISK with App Parka
🎥 Katla (see more details in Discover Iceland)
Where to eat?
Our recommendation is to make the most of the day. For this reason, I would recommend having a good breakfast and then an early dinner.
So for lunch throughout the day, I would recommend that you prepare a picnic and eat it at one of the stops along the route. This way, you can take a break when and where it suits you. In addition, in the most important places, there is usually a cafeteria or food truck where you can order something if you have not brought it prepared or take the opportunity to buy a hot drink.
Therefore, for dinner we went to The Soup Company to try the soups, a typical Icelandic dish.
- I recommend the “Tasting Menu” with 3 soups, which you can refill again and also change between the ones offered on the menu. So, you would be able to taste them all!
- In our case we ordered a plate of bolognese pasta, something more substantial to compensate for the soups.
- A sinful beer to share (sinful for the price, not for the beer)
Total 8.670 ISK (≈ 60€) for 2 people.
💡 Tips: it is a standard price in Iceland.
Where to sleep?
La recomendación sería dormir por la zona de Vik.
Excepto que quieras avanzar un poco más hacia el Este y adelantar un poco del día siguiente.
💡 Tips: Si no haces noche en Vik y quieres avanzar más hacia el Este, te recomendaría revisar bien las actividades del Día 3 y Día 4, ya que se podrían unir. Se podrían reducir algunas cosas del Día 3 y llegar al Skaftafell.
Keep discovering everything about Iceland:
- Day 0 in Iceland
- Day 1 in Iceland
- Day 2 in Iceland
- Day 3 in Iceland
- Day 4 in Iceland
- Day 5 in Iceland
- Day 6 in Iceland
- Frequently asked questions about Iceland
- Discover Iceland (movies & series)
Tips on Trips 
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