Day 4 starts out at Reynisfjara Beach, which features dangerous, but captivating sneaker waves, before taking you just down the road to Dyrhólaey to see the ever-expanding views along the coastline. From there, you follow a few windy roads before getting the opportunity to climb Sólheimajökull’s glacier and eventually get back to Skógafoss, where you will then take a leisurely hike along the beautiful Skóga river. As you wrap up the day, our itinerary takes you back along the coast and then into the heart of Iceland to explore the Golden Circle.
Type: Beach / Cave
Arrival Time: 9:45am
Departure Time: 10:15am
Time Spent: 30 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
The waves are very unpredictable and can come very far up the beach. If you’re not paying attention or get too close to the water, you might walk away from this attraction with some wet feet – or worse, get swept away into the ocean. Be very careful on the beach and pay close attention to the waves.
The cave extends up closer to the water on the left side of the beach. If you’re the adventurous type, try to find a break in the waves where you can go on the other side of the cave to take a quick picture of an incredible view. Again – if you do this – be very careful, stay very alert and make it quick, because sneaker waves are no joke.
Type: Beach / Cave
Arrival Time: 9:45am
Departure Time: 10:15am
Time Spent: 30 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
The waves are very unpredictable and can come very far up the beach. If you’re not paying attention or get too close to the water, you might walk away from this attraction with some wet feet – or worse, get swept away into the ocean. Be very careful on the beach and pay close attention to the waves.
The cave extends up closer to the water on the left side of the beach. If you’re the adventurous type, try to find a break in the waves where you can go on the other side of the cave to take a quick picture of an incredible view. Again – if you do this – be very careful, stay very alert and make it quick, because sneaker waves are no joke.
Type: Nature Preserve
Arrival Time: 10:45am
Departure Time: 11:15am
Time Spent: 30 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
As you drive up to the top of the hill, the road is full of pot holes and isn’t paved or maintained very well. While you can get here with any type of car, just be careful as you drive up.
This attraction sits on the top of an unprotected hill, subject to high wind gusts, so we highly recommend you stay away from the edges as you’re walking around. Be sure to also be extremely careful when opening your car doors in high winds – the door could potentially swing the other way and damage the car.
While the main attractions are the unique rock formation and expansive view of what looks like a never ending beach, walking up on the hill near the parking lot offers a true 360 degree view of the mountains and beach.
Type: Nature Preserve
Arrival Time: 10:45am
Departure Time: 11:15am
Time Spent: 30 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
As you drive up to the top of the hill, the road is full of pot holes and isn’t paved or maintained very well. While you can get here with any type of car, just be careful as you drive up.
This attraction sits on the top of an unprotected hill, subject to high wind gusts, so we highly recommend you stay away from the edges as you’re walking around. Be sure to also be extremely careful when opening your car doors in high winds – the door could potentially swing the other way and damage the car.
While the main attractions are the unique rock formation and expansive view of what looks like a never ending beach, walking up on the hill near the parking lot offers a true 360 degree view of the mountains and beach.
Type: Glacier
Arrival Time: 11:45am
Departure Time: 1:00pm
Time Spent: 1 hour 15 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Sólheimajökull offers the amazing opportunity to walk directly on a glacier. While it is highly recommended that you have the proper equipment and a guide to hike on the glacier, there is an area at the very beginning where anyone can stand on the glacier and experience it up close.
Most people stop at a certain point where there are a few disclaimer signs, but feel free to walk right past them down to the water and onto the glacier. You aren’t overstepping any boundaries as you pass these signs, but getting a closer view of the majestic glacier. Just respect the area and be careful.
Type: Glacier
Arrival Time: 11:45am
Departure Time: 1:00pm
Time Spent: 1 hour 15 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Sólheimajökull offers the amazing opportunity to walk directly on a glacier. While it is highly recommended that you have the proper equipment and a guide to hike on the glacier, there is an area at the very beginning where anyone can stand on the glacier and experience it up close.
Most people stop at a certain point where there are a few disclaimer signs, but feel free to walk right past them down to the water and onto the glacier. You aren’t overstepping any boundaries as you pass these signs, but getting a closer view of the majestic glacier. Just respect the area and be careful.
Type: Town
Arrival Time: 1:20pm
Departure Time: 1:25pm
Time Spent: 5 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Type: Town
Arrival Time: 1:20pm
Departure Time: 1:25pm
Time Spent: 5 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Type: Waterfall & Hike
Arrival Time: 1:30pm
Departure Time: 4:30pm
Time Spent: 3 hours
Distance: 5.5 Miles (Roundtrip)
Type of Trail: There & Back
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
As you walk up to the bottom of the Skógafoss, there is a lot of mist and water that sprays off from the waterfall. If you’re planning on getting close, make sure to bring a waterproof jacket!
There is a staircase to the right of the waterfall that leads to a beautiful view over the falls. The climb is comprised of 370 steps and takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the top, but the sweeping views are a pretty amazing payoff when you make it up.
Once you get to the top of the waterfall, walk through the gate and follow the path for an amazing hike along the Skóga river. This trail offers amazing views and other various beautiful waterfalls, so you must spend the time beyond just the base of Skógafoss.
Type: Waterfall & Hike
Arrival Time: 1:30pm
Departure Time: 4:30pm
Time Spent: 3 hours
Distance: 5.5 Miles (Roundtrip)
Type of Trail: There & Back
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
As you walk up to the bottom of the Skógafoss, there is a lot of mist and water that sprays off from the waterfall. If you’re planning on getting close, make sure to bring a waterproof jacket!
There is a staircase to the right of the waterfall that leads to a beautiful view over the falls. The climb is comprised of 370 steps and takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the top, but the sweeping views are a pretty amazing payoff when you make it up.
Once you get to the top of the waterfall, walk through the gate and follow the path for an amazing hike along the Skóga river. This trail offers amazing views and other various beautiful waterfalls, so you must spend the time beyond just the base of Skógafoss.
Travel Time from Skógafoss Waterfall to N1 Gas Station – 40 minutes (Driving)
Type: Gas Station
Arrival Time: 5:10pm
Departure Time: 5: 20pm
Time Spent: 10 min
Cost: $56 / 6,400 ISK
This was our second time stopping to grab gas on the trip and we generally didn’t want to let the tank get too much less than halfway, just in case. It is very easy to pay with credit or debit card to pump gas before getting back on the road. Be sure to remember which side of the car the gas tank is on! If you need to use the restroom, it usually costs 100 ISK or you need to buy something in the store, but if you don’t have any cash, be polite and ask if you can use the restroom for free.
Type: Gas Station
Arrival Time: 5:10pm
Departure Time: 5: 20pm
Time Spent: 10 min
Cost: $56 / 6,400 ISK
This was our second time stopping to grab gas on the trip and we generally didn’t want to let the tank get too much less than halfway, just in case. It is very easy to pay with credit or debit card to pump gas before getting back on the road. Be sure to remember which side of the car the gas tank is on! If you need to use the restroom, it usually costs 100 ISK or you need to buy something in the store, but if you don’t have any cash, be polite and ask if you can use the restroom for free.
Travel Time from N1 Gas Station to Kerið Volcano Crater – 40 minutes (Driving)
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Type: Crater
Arrival Time: 6pm
Departure Time: 6:50pm
Time Spent: 50 min
Cost: $3.50 / 400 ISK
Bathroom Available? Yes
There is a set of stairs that leads down to the base of the crater, definitely check the attraction out from that perspective!
The parking lot isn’t very big, so we would recommend going to this attraction either in the morning or in the late afternoon away from peak times.
Type: Crater
Arrival Time: 6pm
Departure Time: 6:50pm
Time Spent: 50 min
Cost: $3.50 / 400 ISK
Bathroom Available? Yes
There is a set of stairs that leads down to the base of the crater, definitely check the attraction out from that perspective!
The parking lot isn’t very big, so we would recommend going to this attraction either in the morning or in the late afternoon away from peak times.
Travel Time from Kerið Volcano Crater to Gullfoss Falls – 55 minutes (Driving)
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 7:45pm
Departure Time: 8:10pm
Time Spent: 25 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Gullfoss Falls is a very popular attraction along the Golden Circle and there are many tour buses that stop here. We would recommend visiting this attraction either first thing in the morning or in the evening after the crowds have subsided.
The falls are very powerful and there is a viewing point up close that offers an interesting perspective of the falls, but you’re almost guaranteed to get wet.
There is an overlook viewing point over the falls, but if you walk down the stairs after the boardwalk, there is another viewing point that offers a closer view. You can even walk right up to the falls, if desired.
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 7:45pm
Departure Time: 8:10pm
Time Spent: 25 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Gullfoss Falls is a very popular attraction along the Golden Circle and there are many tour buses that stop here. We would recommend visiting this attraction either first thing in the morning or in the evening after the crowds have subsided.
The falls are very powerful and there is a viewing point up close that offers an interesting perspective of the falls, but you’re almost guaranteed to get wet.
There is an overlook viewing point over the falls, but if you walk down the stairs after the boardwalk, there is another viewing point that offers a closer view. You can even walk right up to the falls, if desired.
Type: Geysir
Arrival Time: 8:20pm
Departure Time: 9pm
Time Spent: 40 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
There are many geysirs in the park, but the main attraction is one in the middle that goes off every 2-5 minutes. It goes off unpredictably, but is constantly going off, so have your video cameras ready!
Great Geysirs are a very popular attraction along the Golden Circle and there are many tour buses that stop here. We would recommend visiting this attraction either first thing in the morning or in the evening after the crowds have subsided.
Type: Geysir
Arrival Time: 8:20pm
Departure Time: 9pm
Time Spent: 40 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
There are many geysirs in the park, but the main attraction is one in the middle that goes off every 2-5 minutes. It goes off unpredictably, but is constantly going off, so have your video cameras ready!
Great Geysirs are a very popular attraction along the Golden Circle and there are many tour buses that stop here. We would recommend visiting this attraction either first thing in the morning or in the evening after the crowds have subsided.
Travel Time from Great Geysirs to Þingvellir – Nyrðri Leirar Camping – 50 minutes (Driving)
Type: Camping
Arrival Time: 9:50pm
Time Spent: Overnight
Cost (Per Person): $13.50 / 1,530 ISK
You are able to pull up to the campsite at anytime during the night and you don’t need to book in advance, as there is plenty of space. The campsite is right next to a visitor’s center, which we believe is open from 7am-6pm, and offers food/drink options, as well as information.
Þingvellir – Nyrðri Leirar Camping offers toilets, showers, an outdoor dining area to cook food and running water to wash dishes. Of the campsites in the Þingvellir area, this is definitely the best one. We stopped at Camping Thingvellir first before and while that is close to the water, there are minimal facilities, so we drove to this campsite instead.
If you get in after the visitor’s center is closed, you can stay the night, but the ranger comes around early in the morning (between 8-9am). You can pay them at your car, or they will give you a slip to pay inside at the visitor center when it opens in the morning.
Type: Camping
Arrival Time: 9:50pm
Time Spent: Overnight
Cost (Per Person): $13.50 / 1,530 ISK
You are able to pull up to the campsite at anytime during the night and you don’t need to book in advance, as there is plenty of space. The campsite is right next to a visitor’s center, which we believe is open from 7am-6pm, and offers food/drink options, as well as information.
Þingvellir – Nyrðri Leirar Camping offers toilets, showers, an outdoor dining area to cook food and running water to wash dishes. Of the campsites in the Þingvellir area, this is definitely the best one. We stopped at Camping Thingvellir first before and while that is close to the water, there are minimal facilities, so we drove to this campsite instead.
If you get in after the visitor’s center is closed, you can stay the night, but the ranger comes around early in the morning (between 8-9am). You can pay them at your car, or they will give you a slip to pay inside at the visitor center when it opens in the morning.
Your guide to getting everything you need to know to travel like a pro.
