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A September Ring Road for Couples Who Would Rather Hike Than Drive Past

Real trails at Skógafoss, Skaftafell and Glymur, plus an ice cave and whales, all on paved roads in a regular car.

Editor's pick 10 days · September Couples & solo Medium pace Self-drive · 2WD

Most Ring Road plans treat hiking as a short walk from the parking lot. This one is built around proper trails. Day two follows the Skógá river above Skógafoss before a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, and day four is mostly spent on the Skaftafellsheiði loop, a long route with views over the Vatnajökull outlet glaciers, before Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.

In between are the headline activities: a Katla Ice Cave tour from Vík, the Lava Show, a soak at Vök Baths outside Egilsstaðir and a whale watching trip from Húsavík. The overnight bases are well spaced: Selfoss, Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Mývatn, Akureyri and Borgarnes, with no day much over four hours of driving.

The finale is the hike to Glymur, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, followed by Hvammsvík Hot Springs and a last night in Reykjavik. September brings thinner crowds and a real chance of northern lights.

Why we picked it: It is the rare Ring Road that schedules serious hikes without wrecking the driving math, and it works in a standard car because every stop sits on paved roads, including the Route 862 approach to Dettifoss.

Trip highlights

  • Skaftafellsheiði Loop (Route S3)
  • Katla Ice Cave (June-September)
  • Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
  • Glymur Waterfall (hike)
  • Classic Whale Watching Husavik
  • Hengifoss & Litlanesfoss

Tips before you go

  • Book the Katla ice cave, Sólheimajökull glacier hike and Lava Show together so the times interlock. The plan stacks a long hike and the glacier tour on day two, so leave buffer between them.
  • The Glymur trail has a seasonal log crossing over the river that is usually pulled once autumn sets in. Check current trail conditions before relying on the loop in late September.
  • September daylight shrinks fast, from about 14 hours to about 12. Start the Skaftafellsheiði loop early so the Jökulsárlón and Vestrahorn stops are not squeezed into dusk.
  • Wear proper hiking boots and pack rain gear. Skógá, Skaftafellsheiði and Glymur are all muddy, exposed and wind-prone in autumn.

Your route across Iceland

The journey, day by day

Open any day for the full plan — stops, drives, and where to stay.

  1. Arrival and Golden Circle WondersDAY 1

    Arrival and Golden Circle Wonders

    5 stops3 hours 40 minsSelfoss
  2. Waterfalls, Glacier Hike & Lava ShowDAY 2

    Waterfalls, Glacier Hike & Lava Show

    5 stops3 hours 10 minsVík
  3. Ice Caving & Volcanic CoastlineDAY 3

    Ice Caving & Volcanic Coastline

    4 stops2 hours 0 minsKirkjubæjarklaustur
  4. National Park Hiking & Glacial LagoonDAY 4

    National Park Hiking & Glacial Lagoon

    4 stops4 hours 20 minsHöfn
  5. Coastal Fjords & Eastern HubDAY 5

    Coastal Fjords & Eastern Hub

    4 stops3 hours 10 minsEgilsstaðir
  6. Powerful Waterfalls & Geothermal FieldsDAY 6

    Powerful Waterfalls & Geothermal Fields

    5 stops3 hours 20 minsMývatn
  7. Whale Watching & Northern CapitalDAY 7

    Whale Watching & Northern Capital

    5 stops3 hours 10 minsAkureyri
  8. Northern Scenery & Saga LandsDAY 8

    Northern Scenery & Saga Lands

    5 stops4 hours 10 minsBorgarnes
  9. Challenging Hike & Coastal RelaxationDAY 9

    Challenging Hike & Coastal Relaxation

    4 stops3 hours 10 minsReykjavik
  10. Reykjavik Exploration & DepartureDAY 10

    Reykjavik Exploration & Departure

    3 stops1 hour 0 minsKeflavik

Questions about this itinerary

Can you do the Iceland Ring Road in a regular car in September?

Yes. This plan was built for a standard rental car, and every stop is on paved roads, including the Route 862 spur to the west side of Dettifoss. The Katla ice cave is reached on the operator's super jeep from Vík, so you never drive a highland track yourself. Early snow is possible on northern mountain passes late in the month, so check road.is each morning.

How hard are the hikes on this itinerary?

Several are genuinely demanding. The Skógafoss trail along the Skógá river and the Glymur hike both involve steep climbs, and the plan allows about three to three and a half hours for each. The Skaftafellsheiði loop takes most of a day. Hengifoss, Hverfjall and Grábrók are moderate or easy, so less experienced hikers can trim the big three and still enjoy the route.

Is the Katla ice cave open in September?

Yes. The Katla ice cave sits in Kötlujökull, an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull, and tours run year-round, unlike the winter-only crystal caves in Vatnajökull. This plan books the tour from Vík on day three, before the Reynisfjara and Fjaðrárgljúfur stops. Book a few weeks ahead in September, and expect helmets and crampons to be provided by the guide.

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