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A full driving trip around Iceland from September 19 to October 3, covering the Reykjanes peninsula, South Iceland, Landmannalaugar and Kerlingarfjöll in the Highlands, the Golden Circle, North Iceland and Mývatn, the East Fjords, Southeast Iceland, Vík and Reykjavík. The route includes F-road driving and so requires a 4x4, but the route guidance says to avoid driving through water crossings. Lodging is in hotels, guesthouses, cottages and apartments; there is no camping.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 15-day route for a real client's September 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 overnight only.
The day includes several accommodation options in Flúðir.
The route says to park before the last access fords and walk about 300 m to the reserve; no self-driven river crossings are planned.
The snowmobiles are listed with a booking link for 14:00.
The itinerary notes that all rivers on the way are bridged; a 4x4 vehicle is required.
Bathing in the hot spring and at Hveravellir is described as part of the route, with no dedicated booking link.
Visit to Glaumbær Farm & Museum, Hiking trail up Mount Súlur, about 4.5–6 hours, Meal and overnight in Akureyri
Visit to Goðafoss waterfall, Day trip around Lake Mývatn, Walks in the volcanic and geothermal areas, Overnight in the Mývatn area
Mývatn Earth Lagoon has a link for booking evening tickets.
The itinerary states explicitly that Hafrahvammagljúfur is suitable only for a 4x4.
There are booking links for kayaking at 10:00 and a glacier walk at 14:15.
Reaching Svínafellsjökull is described as possible only by 4x4.
The zipline is listed with a booking link for 10:00.
Bathing at Reykjadalur is described without a booking link.
Sky Lagoon has a booking link for 16:00.
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.
The Bridge between the ContinenetsPlan a visit to the Bridge Between Continents in Reykjanes, with advice on access, walking time, geology, safety, winter conditions, and nearby stops.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
Gunnuhver Hot SpringsVisit Gunnuhver Hot Springs on the Reykjanes Peninsula with practical advice on road access, walking time, geothermal safety, and nearby stops for road trips.Reykjanes Peninsula · Read the guide
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
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
Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting TipsVisiting Thingvellir National Park? Plan your Golden Circle stop with parking fees, walking routes, winter advice, and tips on how much time to allow.Golden Circle · Read the guide
Geysir Geothermal AreaVisit Geysir and Strokkur on Iceland’s Golden Circle: understand the eruption intervals, paid parking, walking routes and nearby stops.Golden Circle · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Gullfoss Waterfall · Snowmobile on Langjokull · Kerlingarfjöll: Hveradalir Hikes, Roads & Where to Stay · Hveravellir Hot Springs Reserve · Hellisheiði Power Plant (Geothermal Exhibition) · Family Rafting – Varmahlíð · Things to Do in Akureyri: Attractions, Museums and Local Experiences · Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland: Complete Visitor Guide · Dimmuborgir · Dettifoss · Earth Lagoon – Myvatn · Stuðlagil Canyon · Hengifoss · Djúpivogur · Stokksnes / Vestrahorn · Höfn · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Diamond Beach · Fjallsárlón · Skaftafell · Svínafellsjökull · Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon · Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach · Skógafoss · Seljalandsfoss Waterfall · Gljúfrabúi · Reykjadalur Hot Spring: 2 Hikes to Iceland’s Thermal River · Laugavegur Trail · Sky Lagoon · Reykjanes lighthouse and Valahnúkamöl cliffs · Lake Mývatn · Reykjavík
15 days Expert-builtOvernights in Keflavík, Selfoss, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir and 3 more, with Hveravellir, Kerlingarfjöll and Hverfjall on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real June trip.
15 days Expert-builtOvernights in Keflavík, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Akureyri and 1 more, with Súlur Hike, Forest Lagoon and Hveravellir on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real June trip.
15 days Expert-builtOvernights in Keflavík, Hella, Vík, Egilsstaðir and Varmahlíð, with Gunnuhver Hot Springs, Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
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