5 of the Most Scenic Iceland Road Trip Routes

From towering mountains and active volcanoes to sprawling glaciers, the rugged terrain of Iceland holds the promise of adventure to anyone on four wheels dreaming of exploring this beautiful country at their own pace.

Many travellers choose to rent a campervan for the flexibility it provides, especially when covering long distances or visiting remote areas. Companies like Cozy Campers offer 4×4 campervans in Iceland that are ideal for navigating Iceland’s mix of smooth highways, gravel backroads, sudden snow flurries, heavy rain, and strong coastal winds. They’re also equipped for frequent shifts between sunshine and fog, or icy mountain passes and wet lowlands.

While there is no better feeling than seeing where the end of the road takes you, to add structure to your overland Iceland odyssey, here are five of the most scenic routes to get you started.

The Volcanic Way

Travel days: 8 days

As the name suggests, this newly designed road is your gateway to exploring the awe-inspiring South Iceland and Reykjanes regions and covers as many as eight prominent volcanoes, each with its own distinctive geological feature.

Examples include Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes; Eyjafjallajökull, famous for its 2010 ash cloud eruption; Katla, hidden beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier; Grímsvötn, a subglacial volcano under Vatnajökull; Eldfell on the Westman Islands, formed during a 1973 eruption; and Laki, known for its vast lava fields. Each showcases features ranging from ice-capped craters to fresh lava flows.

The 1,200 kilometres round trip, over mostly well-paved surfaces, passes through 17 towns and villages that feature the raw beauty of the subglacial volcanoes, black sand beaches, basalt columns and lava beaches.

Along the way, you’ll encounter towns like Vík, with its dramatic Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt sea stacks; Kirkjubæjarklaustur, near the stunning Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon; and Hveragerði, known for geothermal hot springs. Stops also include Selfoss, a vibrant town with cafés and cultural life, and fishing villages like Eyrarbakki that reveal Iceland’s coastal heritage.

The Arctic Coast Way

Travel days: 9-12 days

Driving along the 900-kilometre-long Arctic Coast Way offers an unparalleled opportunity to get to explore Iceland off the beaten path and also experience the life that thrives so close to the Arctic Circle. This includes spotting humpback and minke whales off the coast, watching colonies of puffins and Arctic terns in summer, and encountering Icelandic horses and reindeer grazing in the fields.

Besides this, there are a plethora of museums and cultural sites en route where one can gain insight into the exciting and also the dark side of the country’s past. Some of the best ones include the Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður, telling the story of Iceland’s fishing boom and decline, the Akureyri Museum, which chronicles life in the north, and small local heritage museums focusing on struggles with isolation, harsh weather, and volcanic eruptions.

Commissioned only recently in 2019, this is the country’s northernmost route and covers the panoramic North Iceland coastline, six islands and six peninsulas. Expect to see humpback whales, Icelandic horses during summer and the magical Northern Lights in winter.

The Ring Road

Travel days: 7 days

The famous Ring Road, or Route 1, loop of Iceland stretches for 1,322 kilometres and promises a road journey known for stunning, diverse scenery, high mountain passes, deep fjords and some of the most iconic attractions of the country. A detour to the Eastfjords will also reveal equally great scenery and other hidden gems, including the charming town of Seyðisfjörður, with its rainbow-painted street and artistic vibe, Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, and remote fjords like Borgarfjörður Eystri, known for puffin colonies and hiking trails through untouched wilderness.

Travelling across the Ring Road requires close monitoring of the road conditions, including snow and volcanic alerts, especially outside the summer season. The southern route from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir offers breathtaking views of glacial lagoons, cascading waterfalls and the extraordinary Dyrholaey cliffs, right from the road itself.

The Golden Circle

Travel days: 2-3 days

The round 250 kilometres trip of the Golden Circle is another extremely scenic route in Iceland, as it passes through some iconic landmarks and places of historical importance.

Visitors are dazzled by the Gullfoss Waterfalls in summer by its unused cascading shape as well as the waters of the geothermal Haukadalur area, which is one of the few places on earth to observe active geysers, including Strokkur, dubbed the Great Geyser, and different types of hot springs, steam vents and sulfurous pots of mud.

It’s important to remember, though, that due to its close proximity to the airport and the capital, this has made this a popular road journey for everyone.

The Diamond Circle

Travel days: 1-3 days

Open year-round, the picturesque Diamond Circle Road is another 250 kilometres trip from Lake Myvatn to the Tjornes Peninsula and covers some of the most fascinating attractions in Iceland, including the most powerful Godafoss Waterfalls, the mightiest in the whole of Europe. The trip also covers Myvatn and its muddy hot springs and the whale-friendly Skjalfandi Bay.

Midway on the route is the harbour town of Husavik, the whale-watching capital of Iceland, if not entire Europe, where humpback whales far outnumber the sailing ships docked here during summer. This magnificent circuit is located Northeast of Iceland, which is home to most of the stunning sights and landscapes.

Whether you choose to circle the island or take the lesser-known routes, Iceland’s road trips promise a rare mix of volcanic drama, Arctic wildlife, and cultural depth. Each journey not only unveils unforgettable landscapes but also offers a glimpse into how nature and history intertwine in this extraordinary island nation.

Transparency note: This is a paid guest post by Cozy Campers.