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A 12-day road trip around Iceland's ring road, starting and ending at Keflavik, including visits to the southern coast, the Eastern Fjords, the northern region, and highland excursions to Landmannalaugar and Kerlingarfjöll.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 12-day route for a real client's July trip: Ring Road With the Highlands. It passed our checks for daily driving, highland roads and season, which is why it is one of the 177 expert-built plans in our Iceland itineraries.
The day-by-day plan below has every stop, with photos and what to see. Duplicate it to set your own dates, change the pace or swap stops; the original stays as the expert wrote it.
Open any day for the full plan — stops, drives, and where to stay.
Arrival and overnight near the airport.
Exploring Reykjanes peninsula and moving to Hella.
Day trip to Landmannalaugar highland area.
Visiting iconic south coast waterfalls and black sand beaches.
Glacier and lagoon explorations.
Driving through the East Fjords towards Egilsstadir.
Heading north to visit major waterfalls and coastal towns.
Whale watching in Husavik followed by geothermal sites.
Exploring Lake Myvatn area and moving towards the northwest.
Cross-highland route via F35.
Touring the Golden Circle and finishing in the capital.
Final city day in Reykjavik before departure.
Each stop below has a full guide on iceland-trip.com, our sister site written by the same team: how to get there, parking, seasons and what to expect.
Krýsuvík–Seltún Geothermal AreaPlan a visit to Krýsuvík–Seltún on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with advice on access, parking, walking routes, safety, winter conditions, and nearby stops.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
Lake KleifarvatnVisit Lake Kleifarvatn on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula with practical advice on Road 42, parking, short walks, winter driving, safety and nearby stops.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
Reykjadalur Hot Spring: 2 Hikes to Iceland’s Thermal RiverHike to Reykjadalur's natural hot river. Discover how to find the perfect soak temp, navigate the 3km mountain trail, and bathe safely in Iceland's Steam Valley.Golden Circle · Read the guide
Kerið Crater: The Golden Circle Volcanic LakeKerið is a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater you can actually walk into. Discover the geology, the vivid turquoise lake, and how to visit this Golden Circle highlight.Golden Circle · Read the guide
Hella & HvolsvöllurHella and Hvolsvöllur guide: South Iceland towns, the LAVA centre, Njáls saga links and Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.South Iceland · Read the guide
SigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfur is a highland canyon with waterfalls above turquoise water. Learn about the F-road access, fords and rim viewpoint before a summer visit.Highlands · Read the guide
LandmannalaugarDiscover Landmannalaugar with this practical guide: how to get there, top hikes, hot spring tips, safety advice, and where to stay—everything you need for a smart highlands adventure.Highlands · Read the guide
Seljalandsfoss WaterfallVisit Seljalandsfoss in Iceland. Learn how to walk behind the waterfall, explore nearby Gljúfrabúi, check parking fees and avoid the crowds.South Iceland · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Gljúfrabúi · Skógafoss · Dyrhólaey · Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach · Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon · Svínafellsjökull · Múlagljúfur Canyon · Fjallsárlón · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Höfn · Stokksnes / Vestrahorn · Djúpivogur · Hengifoss · Vök Baths · Stuðlagil Canyon · Dettifoss · Húsavík · Dimmuborgir · Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland: Complete Visitor Guide · Things to Do in Akureyri: Attractions, Museums and Local Experiences · Hveravellir Hot Springs Reserve · Kerlingarfjöll: Hveradalir Hikes, Roads & Where to Stay · Gullfoss Waterfall · Geysir Geothermal Area · Brúarfoss Waterfall · Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting Tips · Laugavegur Trail · Perlan · Myvatn · Reykjavik
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