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A 12-day road trip around Iceland's ring road, starting from arrival on 18.8 through to departure on 29.8, covering major natural landmarks, fjords, volcanic sites, and highland areas.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 12-day route for a real client's August trip: Ring Road With the Highlands and the Westman Islands. 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.
Flight lands at 19:00, advise eating at airport.
Recommend taking the car on the ferry to the island.
Highland route, requires 4x4. Park outside the pool/final approach area and walk.
Lava show booking needed.
Zodiac tour booking info included for 17:00.
Scenic fjord drive.
Krafla volcanic area and Hverrir geothermal fields.
Stop at Godafoss.
Route via F35, requires 4x4.
Snowmobile tour on Langjokull.
Glymur hike only if weather allows.
Departure at night from Keflavik.
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.
Selfoss: What to Do & How Long to Stay?Plan a visit to Selfoss in South Iceland: what to do, how long to stay, whether it works as a Golden Circle base, practical transport tips, and hotels.South Iceland · Read the guide
Heimaey (Westman Islands)Discover Heimaey in Iceland's Westman Islands. Plan your ferry, find the best puffin viewpoints, hike Eldfell volcano and explore the island's attractions.South Iceland · 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
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 guide
SkógafossVisit Skógafoss Waterfall in Iceland. Updated parking fees, the 527-step staircase, Waterfall Way hike, visiting times and tips for avoiding crowds.South Iceland · Read the guide
Reynisfjara Black Sand BeachVisit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík. Updated beach access, sneaker wave warnings, basalt columns, parking fees and practical visitor tips.South Iceland · Read the guide
SkaftafellHike Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park — Svartifoss, glacier viewpoints, seven marked trails, and guided ice walks on Iceland's most rewarding day out.South Iceland · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Svínafellsjökull · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Höfn · Stokksnes / Vestrahorn · Djúpivogur · Stuðlagil Canyon · 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 · Snowmobile on Langjokull · Geysir Geothermal Area · Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting Tips · Glymur Waterfall Hike · Laugavegur Trail · Perlan · Reykjavik
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12 days Expert-builtOvernights in Vík and Akureyri, with Gjáin, Hengifoss and Sky Lagoon on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
12 days Expert-builtOvernights in Hella and Vík, with Laugarvatn Fontana, Hjörleifshöfði and Kvernufoss on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real July trip.
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