You’ve made it to Part 2 of the most epic 3 day itinerary of Iceland possible! If you arrived here by chance, feel free the check out PART 1 to get up to speed.
The mainstream stuff is all done, now its time for some adventure!
Day 2
Austurafréttur Trail (Yellow markers) – 7am to 2pm
Distance – 17km
Time – 5 – 7 hours
Cost – Free (duh, it’s a hike)
This is the best thing I did in my trip. Yes, it’s long, however so so worth it. I have a full guide HERE.
Aim for an early start, 7 or 8am is about right. Start up the track to the right of the dining cave, following the yellow markers. This hike will take you over the green rolling hills overlooking Pakgil, increasing your elevation to give fascinating sights of the southern plains before taking you into the highlands, resemblening something from lord of the rings.
By about halfway you will start to travers along the Austurafréttur Ridge, a 400 metres high cliff face overlooking vast Kötlujökull glacier as far as the eye can see. If you went all the way to the end of the ridge to the Austurafréttur lookout, you’ll be met with the most amazing view of thousand year old glaciers turning into gigantic waterfalls, cascading down 200-300 metres. It’s fascinating.
This ridge follows along for about 3 kilometres showing off the Kötlujökull in full view. Guaranteed to leave you in awe.
A few more kilometres back down and you’re home. The trail back down is just as exciting with treacherous little hill climbs and scrambles that make you focus exactly on your footing.
Quick warning, when I went the markers stopped halfway, I continued north until I met the ridge line where after following that I soon found the markers again.
Now, recoop, have a cup of coffee and hit the road. We’ve got some driving ahead of us.
Jökulsárlón Lake – 5pm
Distance – There’s no walking, park your car wherever you want.
Cost – It’s free to look at, but an iceberg boat ride will cost you extra.
Map location HERE
The drive to Jokulsaron (including exiting Pakgil) will take about 3 hours. However, this is a gorgeous drive. At first I was excited to see a roadside waterfall. Within 30 mins you will find them every 500 metres. After not too long, they turn into glaciers. Fascinating.
Jokulsarion Lake is made from the remnants of melt from the Skafkafell Glaciar. Parts of the glaciar break off, turning into icebergs before melting or exiting the lake. What makes Jokulsarion lake is so unique is it’s location compared to the ocean. This lake is connected by a small river system, allowing icebergs to leave and sea life to enter. As such it’s not uncommon to find seals playing in the lake.
If you plan ahead, you can joing an iceberg tour on a boat departing the national park office for about £65 which will go for an hour.
Diamond Beach – 6PM
Distance – There’s no walking, parking is located at the beach.
Cost – Free.
Map location HERE
Here you fill find pure black sand beaches, covered in Icebergs. It is a truly unique sight. Remember how I said icebergs can exit the lake? Well as the icebergs exit through the river to the ocean, they meet the powerful Atlantic seas and most of the time and up tossed back onto the beach.
There’s parking at the beach and it’s very accessible. Be aware though, it can get quite busy and the ice is usually only on the beach during the warmer months.
Skafkafell Campground – 7PM
Maps location HERE
You’ve seen waterfalls, glaciers and ice on a black beach. You’ve put in enough steps for a whole week and hopefully seen sights you’ll never forget. It’s time to pack it in.
Skafkafell campground is the most convenient campground for our itinerary. It’s another 40 minutes from diamond beach, back towards Reykavik. It costs £10 per night and although it can fill up, it’s generally a very chill environment with showers, toilets and even washing machines.
FYI, we’re getting up early again tomorrow.
Day 3
Its time to go home today. BOO! However there’s still more activities to achieve. Try and hit the road by about 7ish to fit a few last things in.
Mossy lava fields – 8 am
Distance – 50 Metres
Time – a quick stop.
Map location HERE
Moss… it’s everywhere in Iceland. It’s prolific and beautiful. This very quick stop on the side of the highway halfway between Skafkafell and Vik is truly unusual and beautifl.
Thousands of years ago, the lava fields were created and during the time ensuing they have been covered in the squishy green stuff. What is there now is a truly unique sight. Something more akin to an alien world rather then earth. At this time in the morning the sun will cast very long shadows across the rocks, making it more unique.
Vik – 9AM
You’ve been driving for a while now, it’s time for a break. Stop off in Vik for a quick coffee, something to eat if need and check out Icewear’s store, one of icelands home grown brands, you’ll find some cool knits here.
Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara – 9:30AM
Time – 5 minutes
Distance – 100 Metres
Maps location HERE
This is a very quick stopover to see a black sand beach with a set of unique pillars jutting out from the ocean. Be warned, Iceland has a phenomenon called ‘sneaker waves’, that sneak up the beach, catching people unawares. Reynisfjara is known for this and my camera was the latest victim of this phenomenon. There is also a restaurant here.
Crashed plane – 10am
Time – 2 Hours
Distance – 3.5 km each way
This one is time sensitive. If you have time, go for it. If you like to get to the airport early or un-stressed, maybe leave it. I left it as I kept stopping to take photo’s and ran out of time.
On the way to Pakgil on day 1 you might have noticed a busy carpark. Half an hour west of Vik is where the famour crashed plane is located. It was originally said that the US Navy’s plane’s engines froze during the 70’s and it crashed in the remote landscape. Truth is it ran out of fuel. It’s a 7 Km round trip walking and a very iconic image of Icelandic south coast trips.
There is an option to take a shuttle but that wouldn’t be anywhere near as much fun.
Rutshellir Caves – 12PM
Time – 5 minutes
Distance – It’s roadside
Maps location HERE
This is a fun little stop that only takes a few minutes. Many of the old vikings homes hundreds of years ago were made from caves. Some have been found and are preserved, many of their locations are now unkown. Rutshellir is cut into the side of a giant rock formation and is extremely modest inside but very unique looking on the outside.
Back to the airport
You’ve done it. Wow. What a trip. Your workmates are going to be incredibly jealous. First we need to get to the airport.
Make sure you leave the plane site by 11:30. Enter Keflavik airport into maps (not Reykavik! I found out the hard way) and you’ll be there about 2. Drop your car back (there’s fuel just before the rental places) and have them shuttle you to the airport.
I sincerely hope this guide for the most epic 3 Day itinerary of Iceland has been valuable to you and enjoy the trip!!!!!!
Packing List
- Hiking Shoes
- Socks
- Jeans
- Hiking long pants
- RAINCOAT
- Breathable shirts
- Midweight down jacket
- Heavy weight down jacket
- Headlamp
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Gloves – I didn’t need but you might
- Head torch
- Toiletries
- Hiking poles if you usually use them
