Full Ring Road Loop via the Eastfjords and Mývatn
A high-energy August loop with a glacier hike, a Jökulsárlón boat ride, Eastfjords waterfalls and Mývatn's craters.

The Diamond Circle is the north’s answer to the Golden Circle: a 250 km loop from Lake Mývatn to Húsavík for the whales, up the Tjörnes coast to the horseshoe canyon of Ásbyrgi, down the east bank of the Jökulsá to Dettifoss, and back past Goðafoss. It is paved all the way since 2021 and takes a full day with the whale boat, or two with the walks at Ásbyrgi and Hljóðaklettar.
Every plan here spends at least one night at Mývatn, Húsavík or Akureyri and drives some or all of the loop. Our editors picked them from real trips for putting the whale boat in the morning, for visiting Dettifoss from the paved east side, and for leaving time at Ásbyrgi. Duplicate one and make it yours.
Picked and reviewed by Nimrod Ron · Iceland Lead & Content Curator· Updated
A high-energy August loop with a glacier hike, a Jökulsárlón boat ride, Eastfjords waterfalls and Mývatn's craters.
A late-spring loop for friends with long light, few crowds and a boat ride among Jökulsárlón's icebergs.
A summer Ring Road that slows down in Vík, detours through Snæfellsnes and ends with a soak at Sky Lagoon.
Real trails at Skógafoss, Skaftafell and Glymur, plus an ice cave and whales, all on paved roads in a regular car.
An early-October loop that adds Siglufjörður and the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the Ring Road, then parks the van for two nights in the city.
A 10-day family loop in May with long light, a tomato-farm lunch, an ice cave, two hot springs and the whale capital.
Two city nights with the Blue Lagoon and whale watching, then the loop at a medium pace with a glacier hike, the ice cave and Mývatn.
A high-energy loop for friends that fits the Katla ice cave, the Eastfjords, Mývatn and two Snæfellsnes days into 11 days.
A summer Ring Road with a glacier hike, two unhurried nights in Vík, an iceberg boat tour and drives that rarely top four hours.
A full September loop in a regular car, adding the Tröllaskagi coast and two days on Snæfellsnes before a glacier finale.
A summer camper van loop with a horseback ride near Vík, canyon walks, three geothermal pools and a Snæfellsnes day.
A September 4x4 loop that adds Landmannalaugar, a Sólheimajökull glacier hike and a Glymur climb to the Ring Road classics.
A counter-clockwise loop for friends in cabins, with the ice cave and glacier hike from Vík, the East Fjords baths and the north before the city.
A relaxed July Ring Road with two-night stays in Vík and Mývatn, a Superjeep day and a Snæfellsnes finale.
A July loop that starts in the west and north, then finishes with a glacier hike, an ice cave and the South Coast waterfalls.
West and north first, glaciers and waterfalls last, plus a day on Heimaey before the flight home.
A clockwise September loop with a glacier hike, a beach ride, whale watching, a lava cave and two days in Reykjavik.
A July Ring Road by camper van with a glacier hike, an ice cave, a lagoon boat ride and two chances to see whales.
A late-May loop with the activities teenagers want and the long light to do them in, from the Katla cave to Reykjavík whale watching.
The most complete summer plan in the catalog: the Ring Road plus three highland areas, the Westman Islands and the Diamond Circle, built for a couple who hike.
46 plans drawn up by Iceland trip experts for real clients, and checked for driving times, roads and season. Each lists its stops, photos and where to stay; duplicate one and make it yours.
Overnights in Akureyri and Húsavík, with Súlur Hike, Hverfjall and Reykjafoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real June trip.
Overnights in Dalvík, Akureyri and Húsavík, with Hveravellir, Kerlingarfjöll and Bruarfoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
Overnights in Keflavík, Akureyri, Húsavík and Akureyri, with Laugarvatn Fontana, Forest Lagoon and Hveravellir on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
Overnights in Vík, Höfn and Húsavík, with Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, Sólheimajökull and Gjáin on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real September trip.
Overnights in Hella, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Húsavík and 2 more, with Forest Lagoon, Barnafoss and Petra's Stone Collection on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
Overnights in Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Húsavík, Varmahlíð and 1 more, with Hvítserkur, Langjökull Ice Cave and Reykjafoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
Overnights in Húsavík and Húsafell, with Hverfjall, Reykjafoss and Hengifoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real June trip.
Overnights in Selfoss, Vík, Egilsstaðir, Húsavík, Akureyri and 1 more, with Mývatn Nature Baths, Reykjafoss and Hengifoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
Overnights in Keflavík, Hella, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir and 2 more, with Súlur Hike, Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real July trip.
A signed 250 km driving loop in North Iceland linking Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon and Húsavík, paved throughout since 2021. It is the northern counterpart to the Golden Circle and takes a long day from Mývatn or Akureyri, or two days with the walks and a whale-watching trip.
One long day covers the drive with short stops at each sight; two days lets you add the Húsavík whale boat (three hours), the Ásbyrgi canyon walks and Hljóðaklettar in Vesturdalur. Most Ring Road plans with ten days or more give it a day and a half from a Mývatn base.
The east side (Route 864, gravel) has the classic close view and the walk to Selfoss; the west side (Route 862, paved) has the easier access, the viewing platform and is open in winter. The Diamond Circle uses the paved west side; with a 4x4 in summer, do both.
Our sister site covers every place in depth: access, parking, seasons, what to expect. Written by the same team.
DettifossDiscover Dettifoss from both sides. Compare paved Road 862 and gravel Road 864, waterfall viewpoints, hiking trails, seasonal access and nearby Selfoss.iceland-trip.com · North Iceland
HúsavíkDiscover Húsavík, Iceland's whale-watching capital. Compare whale tours, visit GeoSea, explore museums and find the best restaurants and places to stay.iceland-trip.com · North Iceland
Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland: Complete Visitor GuidePlan your Goðafoss visit in North Iceland with practical advice on Ring Road access, parking, both viewpoints, winter safety, timing, nearby stops and stays.iceland-trip.com · North IcelandDuplicate any plan above and edit it, or let us build one from scratch around your dates and party.
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