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A 13-night itinerary covering the Ring Road and various highland locations in Iceland during late August and early September. The trip focuses on major natural sights, including waterfalls, craters, lagoons, and geothermal areas. It involves significant driving, including F-roads requiring a 4x4 vehicle.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 13-day route for a real client's August 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.
Overnight near the airport.
Overnight in Hella area.
Long day in the Highlands. Reservation required for parking at Landmannalaugar.
Overnight in Kirkjubaerklaustur.
Requires F-road driving to Laki area.
Day at glacier lagoons.
Overnight in Egilsstadir.
Two options provided; recorded main highland activity.
Overnight in Varmahlid.
Long day driving the interior F-road (F35).
Overnight near Laugarvatn.
Overnight in Husafell/Reykholt.
End of trip, returning to 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.
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
HveragerðiThe town of Hveragerði, just 45 minutes away. from Reykjavik you'll find the Reykjadalur hot river hike, and a practical stop between Reykjavík and the Golden Circle.South Iceland · 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
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
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
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
DyrhólaeyPlan your Dyrhólaey visit: upper and lower viewpoints, the lighthouse, summer puffins, paid parking, walking routes and seasonal access restrictions.South Iceland · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach · Lakagígar (Laki Craters) · Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon · Skaftafell · Svínafellsjökull · Fjallsárlón · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Höfn · Stokksnes / Vestrahorn · Djúpivogur · Hengifoss · Vök Baths · 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 · Geysir Geothermal Area · Gullfoss Waterfall · Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting Tips · Snowmobile on Langjokull · Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: Visitor guide · Myvatn · Reykjavik
13 days Expert-builtOvernights in Flúðir, Laugarvatn, Varmahlíð, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and 2 more, with Petra's Stone Collection, Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real September trip.
13 days Expert-builtOvernights in Vík, Seyðisfjörður, Húsavík, Akureyri and Blönduós, with FlyOver Iceland, Mývatn Nature Baths and Sólheimajökull on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
13 days Expert-builtOvernights in Selfoss, Vík, Höfn and Akureyri, with Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, Glymur and Hveravellir on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
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