When booking our (awful) rental car in Iceland, Ashley and I realized we were stuck with a kilometer cap. This put a damper on how far we could explore, but we were determined to see everything we could. The Golden Circle was an obvious choice, so we calculated the milage necessary for that and our pending drive back to the airport. What we came up with was the ultimate adventure day trip from Reykjavik all the way to Vik! A great combination of popular tourist and off the beaten path stops.
Itinerary:
0530: Wake up in Reykjavik to annoying alarms
0630: Depart the Airbnb via rental car heading all the way to Vik
* En route we stopped at a small bakery next to a gas station for sustenance*
Stop 1: The DC-3 plane wreck (close to the city of Vik if you’re trying to map it).
Parking out front is plentiful in the morning, and the trail is only marked by a couple of wooden poles and orange cones. It was pretty darn cold, and the whole walk out there was very foggy for us, so just try to plan for the weather. The walk out there is just gravel and flat ground making it an easy walk, but it feels like an eternity. Most tours do not stop here!
* En route, we stopped at a hill off one of the roads with a troll nook and abandoned barn. Just a great photo op!*
Stop 2: Dyrholaey Arch
The road up to this site is very steep, narrow, and dirt/gravel. Our compact rental was definitely not a 4×4 and at some points a little sketchy.
Stop 3: Skogafoss
We took our first bathroom break here. The waterfall was magnificent with a double rainbow and stairs all the way up to the top (only 400 steps. I counted.). At the top of these stairs is a glacier hike. Unfortunately it’s closed in the winter for safety reasons. Back at the bottom, there are two restaurants / convenience centers for both types of budgets (the one that’s just slightly behind the other, and looks not as fancy, is cheaper) with great food and drinks.
Stop 4: Seljalandsfoss
The best decision we made here was bringing ponchos! The trail that leads behind the waterfall WILL get you wet (except for us in our awesome purple ponchos!). There are 3 separate waterfalls at this location, and one of my biggest regrets was not walking down to the 3rd more secluded one, so I guess I’ll just have to do it on my next trip out there.
Stop 5: Non-existent Selfoss
Using my GPS to find this waterfall, we ended up in the middle of a town at someone’s house. The town is called Selfoss, and the waterfall is in the NE corner of Iceland… whoops.
* Started to get dark around 1730*
Stop 6: Kerid Crater
This is a very straightforward site. There are signs everywhere, lots of seating / benches, and is not at all crowded after sundown. We also walked down the stairs on the left hand side to go all the way to the water at the bottom, which was a very nice view.
1900: Back to the Airbnb in Reykjavik.
Looking for other itineraries and posts on Iceland? Check out my Iceland page!
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Defintely not the right start to have but instead I am glad you had a great ending and a wonderful trip. The itinerary is quite useful and the tips you have given is gonna be handy. The captures are breathtaking for sure 🙂
Been learning how to turn my negatives to positives has been really helpful! Glad you got value out of this post, and thank you for the compliments! 🙂
Wow you had a great road trip. Vik is so beautiful and you are so lucky to see the gorgeous rainbow on the waterfall. Enjoying your Iceland series a lot
It was absolutely spectacular! Appreciate the kind words 🙂
I’ve been wanting to go to Iceland forever! I’ve kind of been holding off because it’s become so touristic (and I never run out of places to visit) but I will definitely have to go at some point. The landscapes remind me of Ireland, which I found so magical 🙂
Now that you say it… I do see some similarities between Iceland and Ireland! I feel the same way about “touristy” places, but there’s definitely ways to skip the crowds. 🙂
Wow, that picture with the rainbow over the waterfall caught my attention right away! I visited vik during my last Iceland trip and absolutely loved it! I’m sorry to hear about your bad car rental experience but I’m glad you made the most out of your trip anyway 🙂
Isn’t it incredible?! I’m glad you loved your time there as we did. Always gotta stay positive!
Reykjavik, Iceland is one of the places I really want to see on 2020. I heard so many good things about it. I even saw its beauty in one of my favorite Netflix series – Sense8. The falls looks so beautiful! I want to take a selfie on it.
You absolutely must! It’s even more incredible in person!
I couldn’t help admiring that falls! I bet it was feeling cold and the water splashes on you and its a great experience. This place is also a good location for a fantasy movie.
It was freezing but absolutely magical! There has to be some movies with some scenes shot here.
Iceland just seems like a dream! Hopefully we will make it out there someday!
I hope you do too!
Ah I loved Iceland when we visited, but sadly didn’t make it to Vik. Sorry to hear about your awful car rental, but I appreciate the tip off too! That was funny about the waterfall mix-up! I know foss means waterfall, so I’m not surprised by the mistake! Beautiful photos too by the way!
Oh no! Well you definitely have an excuse to go back now. My whole reason for this blog is to help others learn from my mistakes, so I’m glad you got some value from it. It’s funny because it IS a waterfall in the NorthEast, but also a town in the SouthWest hahah whoops. Thank you for the compliments, not so bad for an iPhone 6! 🙂
It’s a bummer to have a kilometer cap when renting a car really. Especially when you’ve to explore beautiful countries like Iceland! Thanks for the fantastic tips, especially about carrying ponchos. Love the plane wreck site, and the waterfalls are a must! Can’t wait to get to Iceland in 2019.
Right?! I really wish we had read the fine print, but at least we know for next time! I’m excited for you, and can’t wait to hear about your trip!
You had a really wonderful trip! As you say 17:30 started to get dark, I guess you have been there now in autumn, right? How was the weather there? You wear ponchos, you say it was cold, but no snow or rain? Was is windy? 🙂
This trip was in February, so winter time. It was snowing / raining on and off and very cold!
Looks like you had quite the adventure at these different stops. We had our own fair share of crazy GPS moments in Iceland.
It’s the best isn’t it? I didn’t even mention the dirt roads to nowhere we ended up on…
So funny that you ended up at someone’s house! A shame but also a great story 😀
RIGHT?! We were like “Uhmm… I don’t think there’s a waterfall here….” hahah
This is a great itinerary! I have been dying to visit Iceland and with the pickup in tourism I’m always looking for new and exciting things to see that are off the beaten path! Thanks for putting this together and sharing the map too!
Thank you so much Natasha! Glad you got some value out of this post. I love finding places that aren’t packed with tourists as well.
This is such a wonderful itinerary and the pictures are amazing. The waterfall with the rainbow seems so awe worthy. Vik is a great idea for day trip. Would definitely be visiting there soon.
Thank you so much! It was seriously out of this world in person. Hope you have a blast when you do go!
Goodnesss! This is the 3rd Iceland post I’ve come across today. It’s like the country is nagging me to visit it soon! Beautiful post!
You must go! MUST! I feel the same, keep coming across some great posts on Iceland.
Wow! Those waterfalls are out of this world. I’d love to see them.
You really must! They were incredible in person.
What a fab day you had, I don’t think I could have planned it better myself! Your photos are gorgeous and I love your purple ponchos. I’ve made a note to watch for rental car restrictions when visiting Iceland.
It was awesome! Thanks for the compliments Nancy! Definitely watch out for the small print there.
Wow you really managed to cram a lot into a day trip! I’ve done this route a couple times but never in just one day 🙂
It was DEFINITELY a longggg day, but with our rental car restrictions and such it was out of necessity. Next time I’m going to take my time and spend more time at each stop. We were both exhausted when we returned to our Airbnb haha
Awesome post! Your photos are amazing!!! I’ve never been there but Iceland is so high on my list… I’ll definitely keep this article for my future redeeendes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much! I only wish I had my actual camera with me for this trip, but not so bad for an old iPhone and GoPro! Glad you got some value in this post and I can’t wait for you to see Iceland in person!
This is a great itinerary and your photos are stunning! When I visited Iceland a few years back we didn’t have our own transport so we relied on yours to explore outside Reykjavik. But there are so many parts of the country that tours just don’t go to (like the plane wreck) so next time I’m definitely hiring some wheels!
I feel like Iceland is one of the few places I’ve been to where the cheaper option (getting a car) was INCREDIBLY more valuable than any tour. You must try it next time and explore at your own pace!
Iceland is a wonderful country and it looks like a trip to Vik is a great idea – even if one has to wake up to the annoying alarm at 5.30 AM 😀 (Loved the funny note). The landscape is amazing (I’d never miss a waterfall). Useful recommendation – added to my bucket list!
It really was such an amazing experience! Glad you like my humor 😉 and got value from my post. The waterfalls were so unreal! I hope you have an absolute blast when you make it to Iceland!
Ahh this really takes me back to when I was in Iceland for a uni field trip. Such lovely photos too. The airplane wreck sounds very eerie, especially with the mist. I can’t believe how much you got done in a day to be honest.
Thank you for your compliments! It was definitely eerie yet gorgeous as the sun started rising. It was a VERY long day. Up before the sun and back after sunset. Totally worth it in my opinion.
Iceland is still on my wishlist! I haven´t manage to visit so far but I love to watch pictures and read travel guides to get some inspiration and dream about it. One day, I will go there, for sure! thanks for sharing your experiences!
Oh you absolutely must Pia! Iceland was such an incredible experience and all I want is to go back ASAP. Glad you got value out of this post 🙂
All of that in a day trip? Wow! This looks like sok much fun. Also I’m in love with your photos!
Thank you so much Rahma! It was a very long day, but a day trip nonetheless! An absolute blast 🙂
Great photos! Ponchos are always useful. I did a trip last year to the Isle of Skye and I had a huge green poncho with me to keep me dry. Best decision ever!
Thank you! I had no idea until it would have been too late. SO GLAD we had them. Who knew they would be so handy??
Wow! I didn’t realise you could see so much on a day trip! Some of the sites are much closer to Reykjavik than I thought. So glad I came across your post.
We didn’t realize it either until we started plotting points we wanted to see on the map! This is even with us missing a bunch!
That is such a cool day trip! I had no idea the airplane wreck was so close. Shoulda done this on my Reykjavik day trips. Next time…
Hey I’ll always take an excuse to go back to a beautiful place!
Love the purple ponchos! Those waterfall shots are awesome…especially the rainbow one. How cold is that water? Can’t wait to see Iceland, but I think I will go when it is a bit warmer. 🙂
I was EXTREMELY glad that Ashley had packed the ponchos! Thank you, it was an incredible sight! I would love to go back in the spring or summer time.