{"id":10159,"date":"2018-04-19T13:05:41","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T20:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/?p=10159"},"modified":"2018-04-19T13:05:41","modified_gmt":"2018-04-19T20:05:41","slug":"driving-icelands-ring-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/wayfaring\/driving-icelands-ring-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Iceland\u2019s Ring Road"},"content":{"rendered":"

From glaciers to lava<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Editor’s note: In celebration of this week’s launch of our Commercial Host program<\/a>, which empowers independent car rental agencies<\/a> all over the world to share their cars on Turo, we’re highlighting some of the rich new markets that have already developed a thriving Turo presence. Today, all eyes are on Iceland, with its breathtaking Nordic moonscapes and its can’t-miss travel cachet, now with a booming Turo presence<\/a> in and around Reykjavik.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Iceland was made for driving. With remote stretches of road traversing the shockingly varied landscapes, driving Iceland\u2019s Ring Road is one of the more visually arresting road trips you\u2019re likely to ever take. Get ready for waterfalls galore, glaciers, bucolic lakes, lava fields, and the crowning jewel of it all: the mystical Northern Lights.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Day 1<\/span><\/h3>\n

After touching down in the country\u2019s capital of Reykjavik, hit the ground running with a mini-road trip around the Golden Circle before tackling the main Ring Road. The Golden Circle will take you through Thingvellir National Park, which contains the Gullfoss Waterfall, a roaring behemoth of rushing water that will whet your appetite (get it?) for the waterfalls to come. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 2<\/span><\/h3>\n

Spend the morning waterfall hopping. Start with Seljalandsfoss (<\/span>foss<\/span><\/i> means waterfall), where you should plan to get wet when you hike behind it for the best views. If you\u2019re still feeling adventurous, venture to the Glj\u00fafrab\u00fai waterfall, located in a cave \u2014 worth it for the up-close view. A bit further along the Ring Road is Sk\u00f3gafoss, arguably one of the most impressive waterfalls of the trip. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the afternoon, pause for a roughly two-hour hike and a photo op with the S\u00f3lheimasandur plane wreckage from a 1970s DC-3 aircraft crash (the crew all survived). Then, continue on toward Vik, stopping along the way to follow signs for Dyrh\u00f3laey, which will lead you to the rocky black sand coast, where puffins nest amongst the craggy cliffs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 3<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Shift from waterfalls to glaciers at J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n glacier lagoon, where you can hear ice cracking and see enormous ice chunks washing up to shore. Continue on the ice theme by exploring the crystal ice caves under Vatnaj\u00f6kull glacier (though beware that these are only accessible in the winter, and with a guide). Sunlight filters through the delicate glass tunnels created by meltwater to create a bewitching blue tint. <\/span><\/p>\n

Head on to the fishing village of H\u00f6fn for a night\u2019s rest. But don\u2019t plan to spend the whole time sleeping: you\u2019re in one of the areas where you\u2019re most likely to catch a Northern Lights show, so be ready to be awed by the dancing, otherworldly green Aurora Borealis. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 4<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head into the even more remote areas of Iceland as you drive inland toward Myvatn. The scenery turns starkly beautiful here, with lava fields and crater lakes that feel implausible and yet: there they are. Stop at the Viti crater to ogle the shockingly bright blue-green water that fills it. Hike the Krafla lava fields, where you\u2019ll easily find yourself stumbling across simmering pools of mineral water and massive holes in the ground leaking steam. In contrast, Lake Myvatn itself is positively pastoral, flanked by lush greenery. Check out the waterfall Godafoss on your way to Akureyri. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 5<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Take it easy on the driving today by meandering up towards the Vatnsnes area. You\u2019ll have plenty of opportunities to pull off and hike the black sand beaches below the cliffs, and perhaps get lucky with a seal colony sighting. Continue west through the sparsely-populated roads, and plan to book a cozy cabin for the night. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 6<\/span><\/h3>\n

Get an early start for your last major driving day headed to the Sn\u00e6fellsnes Peninsula. This is where you\u2019ll find Kirkjufellsfoss, perhaps the most photographed waterfall in Iceland (for a country with around 10,000 waterfalls, that\u2019s saying something). If you can get there early enough, it\u2019s stunning at sunrise. Next, the Hellnar sea cliffs are a good place to spend some time taking in the dramatic crashing waves against windswept rocks. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 7<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head back to Reykjavik for your last day and reward yourself with some relaxation at the Blue Lagoon. Be forewarned, you\u2019ll need to make a reservation, and very early or later in the day will afford you the best chance of missing the crush of tour-bus tourists. Once there, treat yourself to a floating water massage before hitting up the in-lagoon bar to toast a road trip well-spent.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Explore Iceland<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From glaciers to lava Editor’s note: In celebration of this week’s launch of our Commercial Host program, which empowers independent car rental agencies all over the world to share their…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":10181,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wayfaring"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t