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Thirteen Days Around Iceland, With a Detour Into the Rhyolite Highlands

A September 4x4 loop that adds Landmannalaugar, a Sólheimajökull glacier hike and a Glymur climb to the Ring Road classics.

Editor's pick 13 days · September Couples & solo Medium pace Self-drive · 4x4

This clockwise loop opens with a full afternoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula, from Gunnuhver's mud pots to Krýsuvík and Kleifarvatn, then moves to Hella for two nights. The second is the reason to pick this plan: a 4x4 day into the Highlands past Hjálparfoss and Sigöldugljúfur Canyon to Landmannalaugar, with a climb up Brennisteinsalda and a soak in the natural hot springs.

Two nights in Vík pair a Sólheimajökull glacier hike with Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey and the Lava Show. From Hof the route covers Skaftafell, Svartifoss and Jökulsárlón, crosses the Eastfjords to Seyðisfjörður, then heads north for Stuðlagil, Dettifoss and the Mývatn Nature Baths.

The west gets more than a drive-through: Glaumbær's turf houses, the Hvítserkur sea stack, Hraunfossar and Hvammsvik Hot Springs, then the Glymur hike and Sky Lagoon before a final Reykjavik morning and a whale watching trip on departure day.

Why we picked it: It slots a genuine highland day into a Ring Road without wrecking the pacing, thanks to a two-night base in Hella, and it is timed for September while the F-roads are usually still open.

Trip highlights

  • Landmannalaugar Hot Springs
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
  • Stuðlagil Canyon
  • Dettifoss
  • Glymur Waterfall

Tips before you go

  • The F-roads to Landmannalaugar usually close sometime in September, depending on snow. Check road.is on the morning of day 3 and swap in a South Coast day if the route is shut.
  • Rental insurance never covers river damage. There is a ford just before the Landmannalaugar hut area; if in doubt, use the parking area on the near side and walk over the footbridge.
  • Day 7 is the longest, at close to six hours from Hof through the Eastfjords. Fuel in Höfn, keep stops short, and expect early snow on the Seyðisfjörður pass late in the month.
  • Glymur's trail includes a log crossing over the river and steep, exposed sections near the top. Allow about four hours, wear proper boots and skip it in heavy rain.

Your route across Iceland

The journey, day by day

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

  1. Late Arrival & Reykjanes Geothermal WondersDAY 1

    Day 1 · 2026-09-03

    Late Arrival & Reykjanes Geothermal Wonders

    6 stops2 hours 10 minsKeflavik
  2. Golden Circle EssentialsDAY 2

    Day 2 · 2026-09-04

    Golden Circle Essentials

    5 stops3 hours 50 minsHella
  3. Highlands Adventure: Landmannalaugar's Rhyolite PeaksDAY 3

    Day 3 · 2026-09-05

    Highlands Adventure: Landmannalaugar's Rhyolite Peaks

    6 stops3 hours 20 minsHella
  4. South Coast Waterfalls & Glacier HikeDAY 4

    Day 4 · 2026-09-06

    South Coast Waterfalls & Glacier Hike

    4 stops2 hours 40 minsVík
  5. Black Sand Beaches & Volcanic ShowsDAY 5

    Day 5 · 2026-09-07

    Black Sand Beaches & Volcanic Shows

    5 stops1 hour 20 minsVík
  6. Canyons, Glaciers & IcebergsDAY 6

    Day 6 · 2026-09-08

    Canyons, Glaciers & Icebergs

    5 stops3 hours 10 minsHof
  7. Eastfjords Coastal Drive to SeyðisfjörðurDAY 7

    Day 7 · 2026-09-09

    Eastfjords Coastal Drive to Seyðisfjörður

    6 stops5 hours 40 minsEgilsstaðir
  8. Canyons, Waterfalls & Geothermal WondersDAY 8

    Day 8 · 2026-09-10

    Canyons, Waterfalls & Geothermal Wonders

    4 stops3 hours 20 minsMývatn
  9. Volcanic Wonders of Mývatn to AkureyriDAY 9

    Day 9 · 2026-09-11

    Volcanic Wonders of Mývatn to Akureyri

    5 stops2 hours 20 minsAkureyri
  10. Coastal Heritage and Scenic Drive to HvammstangiDAY 10

    Day 10 · 2026-09-12

    Coastal Heritage and Scenic Drive to Hvammstangi

    5 stops4 hours 10 minsHvammstangi
  11. Waterfalls of Borgarfjörður & Hot SpringsDAY 11

    Day 11 · 2026-09-13

    Waterfalls of Borgarfjörður & Hot Springs

    5 stops4 hours 50 minsBorgarnes
  12. West Iceland's Tallest Waterfall & Geothermal RelaxationDAY 12

    Day 12 · 2026-09-14

    West Iceland's Tallest Waterfall & Geothermal Relaxation

    3 stops2 hours 40 minsReykjavik
  13. Reykjavik's Vibrant City Life & DepartureDAY 13

    Day 13 · 2026-09-15

    Reykjavik's Vibrant City Life & Departure

    5 stops1 hour 40 minsKeflavik

Questions about this itinerary

Can you visit Landmannalaugar in September?

Usually, yes, especially in the first half of the month. The F-roads into Landmannalaugar typically open in late June and close when snow arrives, which can happen from mid-September onward. You need a 4x4, both legally and practically. This plan visits on day 3 from a two-night Hella base, so if the roads are closed you can swap in extra South Coast time without changing accommodation.

Do I need a 4x4 for this 13-day itinerary?

Yes, for day 3. Iceland's F-roads are legally restricted to four-wheel-drive vehicles, and the drive to Landmannalaugar past Sigöldugljúfur and Ljótipollur uses them. The rest of the loop is on the paved Ring Road and short gravel spurs. Choose an SUV with real ground clearance rather than a small crossover, and confirm the rental contract allows F-road driving.

How much driving is there on this Ring Road itinerary?

Most days run two and a half to four hours behind the wheel, and the second Vík day is barely more than an hour. The outliers are the Eastfjords leg to Egilsstaðir at close to six hours and the day from Hvammstangi to Borgarnes at nearly five. Two-night stays in Hella and Vík break up the first half, where the busiest sights are.

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