10 Day Winter in Depth Self Drive | Snaefellsnes, Northern Lights and the South Coast

On your second day, you will explore the sites of West Iceland on your way to Snæfellsnes. There are a wealth of places to see, starting with Hvalfjörður, ‘the Whale Fjord’, which sits just north of Reykjavík. This is a beautiful place, with dramatic mountains, many waterfalls, and spectacular seascapes.

Once around the bay, you could head to Borgarnes, home Read moreto the Settlement Centre exhibition, where you can learn all about the earliest arrivals to Iceland. Close to here is a waterfall called Fossatún, which is steeped in troll folklore.

Nearby is Europe’s highest flowing hot-spring, Deildartunguhver, and a little further east, you can find the historic village of Reykholt. This was once home to legendary medieval writer Snorri Sturluson, and now houses the Snorrastofa Museum on his life and works.

A little further afield, but still worth a visit, are two more waterfalls, Barnafoss and Hraunfossar, which in spite of their proximity are vastly different in appearance. The former rages and winds down a narrow gorge, while the latter streams gently from a wide stretch of twisted lava.

On this day, you can also visit the great Víðgelmir lava cave, one of Iceland's largest lava tube caves. It is easy to access, and walkways have been built so that everyone can enjoy the amazing sights and colours formed in the lava rock surface. Another option is the ice tunnels in Langjökull glacier, where man-made tunnels have been carved out of the age-old ice, creating halls and corridors in a miniature under-ice palace. 

You will continue to Snæfellsnes, making any detour that draws you. Once you arrive, you can start to explore, or else just relax in your accommodation; after all, you will have the next day to make the most of this incredible peninsula.

Your third day will be dedicated to witnessing the marvels of the Snæfellnes Peninsula. This 90 kilometre stretch of land is often called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ due to the diverse scenery that can be found here.

The dominant feature of the landscape is without a doubt Snæfellsjökull, a giant volcano topped with a gleaming ice-cap. As you visit sites such as DRead morejúpalónssandur black sand beach, and the historic fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, you will be in the shadow of this incredible landmark.

It is not the only notable mountain on the peninsula, however; you will also see the most photographed peak in the country, Kirkjufell, which stands alone on the northern shore in a beautiful setting. The mountains surrounding the fjords of Hraunsfjörður and Kolgrafafjörður are also particularly dramatic.

All day, you will head from site to site, from places as diverse as the seal colony on the shores of Ytri Tunga, to the barren, haunted lava fields of Beserkjahraun. You will return to spend another night at your accommodation on the peninsula.

On day four, you will visit the three iconic sites of the Golden Circle, on the country’s most popular tourist trail. The first of these you will come to is the original site of the world’s longest-running, still-ongoing parliament, Þingvellir National Park. This historical place is nestled directly in the North Atlantic Rift and is the best place in the worRead moreld to see the edges of both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The second site of the Golden Circle is the Geysir geothermal area, located within Haukadalur Valley. This area, dotted with bubbling mud-pools, hot-springs and hissing fumaroles, is most famous for its geysers, as its name suggests. The most active of these is called Strokkur, which erupts every ten minutes or so.

The final point of this famed trail is Gullfoss waterfall. Fed by the most popular rafting river in Iceland, the Hvítá, this falls is mightily powerful, plunging in two steps into a dramatic canyon. There are several platforms from which you can marvel over this natural phenomenon.

On this day, you will have the option to partake in a very special tour. You'll have the chance to snorkel in Þingvellir National Park, through a freshwater spring within a ravine called Silfra; the visibility exceeds 100 metres, and it is considered one of the best places for snorkelling and diving in the world. 

After enjoying the sites of the Golden Circle and possibly a tour, you can use your custom itinerary to find other beautiful locations in the area, such as the Secret Lagoon and Kerið crater lake.

You will reside at an accommodation on the Golden Circle that evening.

On your fifth day, you will start to explore the sites of the South Coast up to Vík. This route is famed for its waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and incredible stretches of coast.

Regarding waterfalls, the three most easily accessible and rewarding can all be found reasonably early on your journey. The first of these is Seljalandsfoss, a high and narrow wateRead morerfall that cascades over a concaved cliff. 

A short walk from here is Gljúfrabúi, which is often overlooked due to the fact it is hidden within a cleft in a mountainside; the grotto it tumbles into and fills with mist is otherworldly. The third notable waterfall is Skógafoss, most known for its dramatic size and awesome power.

As you head between the first two features and the third, you will be driving beside the infamous glacier Eyjafjallajökull; the volcano beneath it erupted in 2010, causing mayhem in terms of air-travel. If the weather is clear, you may be able to see the Westman Islands across the seas to your right.

As you head further along the South Coast, you will come across more glaciers, most notably Mýrdalsjökull, the fourth largest in the country. While here, you can partake in one of two tours; an adrenaline pumping snowmobiling ride on this ice cap, or a fascinating glacier hike on one of its many tongues, Sólheimajökull.

The next main destination is Reynisfjara beach, a black-sand stretch of coast renowned for its fascinating geological features. Near here is the charming village of Vík, where you will retire for the night.

For your sixth day, you will drive the rest of the South Coast, across diverse landscapes of dramatic coastline, farmland, and black-sand desert.

When the tongues of the vast Vatnajökull glacier start to materialise to your left, you will know you are nearing Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This region is well-worth a visit; it is forested, sheltered by ice and jaRead moregged peaks, and full of hiking routes to a variety of spectacular features. If you are inclined, you can also book a glacier hike here.

Further east, you will come across one of the most popular places in Iceland, Jökulsárlón. This wide lagoon is filled with giant icebergs calving from a glacier tongue, making for a spectacular, ethereal sight. The nearby Diamond Beach is just as fascinating; it is here that the bergs which reach the ocean wash up on the shore, littering it with sparkling ice.

Admiring the beauty of this corner of Iceland will take up the majority of your day. You will reside for the night in accommodation either at the glacier lagoon or in the nearby settlement of Höfn.

Your seventh day will be spent in the south-east. If you are travelling between November and March, you can use this day to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of an ice cave. These only form during the middle of the winter months, so opportunities to witness their incredible beauty are very rare.

If you are not travelling during this time, you will sRead moretill find plenty to do in the area. There are beautiful features around Höfn, such as the mountains Vestrahorn and Eystrahorn, and if you are willing to travel a little further, you could see some of the Eastfjords. Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell also warrant second visits, as their beauty is unique under different lighting and weather conditions.

You will spend this night in the same accommodation. If the sky is clear of clouds, you might want to look up for a chance to see the dancing Northern Lights. 

On day eight, you will drive back the majority of the South Coast, to the settlement of Hvolsvöllur. On this day, you can use your itinerary to find any unique places you missed along the way,

You could head out to the historical town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and visit the waterfall Systrafoss which, in cold weather, will be entirely frozen but never the less iRead morencredibly beautiful.

A short drive away is the magnificent canyon Fjaðrárgljúfur, a great photography location as it provides dramatic scenery of jagged cliffs and a shallow river. You could also visit the volcano Hekla or take a dip in Iceland's oldest swimming pool, Seljavallalaug, which is hidden in a mountain crevasse.

Take your time and explore Iceland to the fullest before heading to your accommodations in the Hvolsvöllur area.

On your penultimate day, you will drive from Hvolsvöllur back to Reykjavík. Once again, you can refer to your itinerary to find any unique places you missed earlier in your journey.

This would be a grand day to add in some activities in the Golden Circle area. The snowmobiles at Langjökull are a perfect way to end your adventure with a bang. If you prefer morRead moree calming forms of amusement, Silfra fissure and its crystal clear waters offer an opportunity to take a snorkelling trip into the rift between the continents.

Once back in the capital, you can use the time to explore its galleries, museums, historical sites, bars and restaurants. Although a reasonably small city, Reykjavík has a thriving culture, and you will no doubt find a wealth of things to do.

You will spend the night here.

On your final day, you will need to head to Keflavík International Airport in good time, to return your vehicle and catch your departing flight.

If you have a late departure, you can use the day to shop in Reykjavík or recharge from your adventures in the Blue Lagoon. Another option is to spend the day visiting the gems of the Reykjanes peninsula and the Geopark for a last chance at hot springs and lava fields on your Icelandic holiday.