Iceland: Waterfalls, Hot Springs & Volcanic Landscapes

The trip begins with a morning departure from Reykjavik, heading south into the countryside. The landscape quickly shifts from urban to a vast expanse of green fields and distant mountains. The first stop is the Gljúfrabúi waterfall, partially hidden behind a cliff face, requiring a short walk through a narrow canyon to see it properly. From there, a path leads to the more famous Seljalandsfoss, a cascade with a trail that runs into a small cave behind the curtain of water.

The day's drive ends in Hella, a small town on the banks of the Rangá river. The accommodation is at Landhotel Hella, a modern property with clean lines and a restaurant focused on regional ingredients, where dinner is served this evening.

Today’s route heads inland toward the Gjáin Valley, a small, lush oasis that feels like a complete anomaly within the surrounding volcanic landscape. A network of short trails winds through the valley, passing small waterfalls, clear ponds, and basalt columns. Nearby is Hjálparfoss, a distinctive double waterfall where two rivers, the Fossá and Þjórsá, merge into a single plunge pool.

After a lunch stop in the village of Flúðir, the afternoon is for geothermal bathing at the Secret Lagoon. It is one of Iceland's oldest natural swimming pools, maintaining a water temperature of 38-40°C year-round. The setting is less developed than other major spas, with steam rising from the surrounding mossy ground and a small geyser that erupts nearby.

The day is built around one of the South Coast's most significant waterfalls, Skógafoss. The approach begins not from the base, but with a six-kilometre hike along a section of the Fimmvörðuháls trail. This path follows the Skógá river upstream, passing a series of smaller cascades before reaching the viewpoint above the main 60-metre drop of Skógafoss itself, offering a full sense of its scale and power.

After the hike and a provided lunch, the afternoon provides geological context at the Lava Centre in the nearby town of Hvolsvöllur. The interactive exhibit details the volcanism, tectonics, and seismic activity that define this region, explaining the formation of the landscapes seen over the past few days before the return to Hella for the evening.

Today's overland journey follows the Golden Circle, Iceland's essential touring route, before continuing west to Húsafell. The first major stop is Gullfoss, a powerful two-tiered waterfall that thunders into a deep canyon. A short drive away is the Haukadalur geothermal area, home to the original Geysir and its more active neighbour, Strokkur, which erupts every five to ten minutes. In Laugarvatn, a stop at a geothermal bakery demonstrates how traditional Icelandic rye bread is baked for 24 hours in the naturally hot ground.

The final stop on the circle is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. A four-kilometre hike leads to the Öxarárfoss waterfall before the final leg of the drive to Hotel Husafell, a design-led property known for its sustainable practices.

The focus of the day is an expedition to Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest ice cap. The journey up the glacier requires a specially modified, eight-wheel-drive vehicle capable of handling the snow and ice terrain. From a base camp on the ice sheet, a guide leads a walk into a series of tunnels carved deep into the glacier. Inside, the compressed ice glows blue and white, and the layers reveal millennia of snowfall.

This exploration offers a direct encounter with the glacier's internal structure, a perspective that is impossible to gain from the surface. After the expedition and an included lunch, the afternoon is free. You can use the time to relax at Hotel Husafell, taking advantage of its geothermal pools, or explore one of the many local hiking trails in the valley.

Today offers a choice between two different five-kilometre hikes, each showcasing a different aspect of the Húsafell landscape. The more demanding option climbs 300 metres along both sides of a canyon, offering broad views from its upper rim. This trail also passes several stone sculptures by Páll Guðmundsson, an artist native to Húsafell.

The second option is a gentler, flatter walk through a birch woodland. The trail follows the clear springs of Oddalindir and the banks of the Hvítá river, offering a peaceful route through lush greenery. After the morning's hike, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel's geothermal pools or other facilities before dinner.

The route turns back towards the capital today, with a significant stop en route at the Víðgelmir lava cave. This is one of the largest lava tubes in the world, and a guided tour follows a suspended walkway deep into the main cavern. The cave's scale is impressive, and lighting reveals the vibrant mineral colours and delicate formations left behind by a volcanic eruption nearly 1,100 years ago.

After the cave exploration, the drive continues south to Reykjavik. Upon arrival, the afternoon is free to explore the city's compact centre, visit the Hallgrímskirkja church, or walk along the harbour. The group reconvenes in the evening for a farewell dinner at a restaurant in the city.

The journey concludes this morning after breakfast at the hotel. There are no activities planned, allowing for a flexible departure. You can leave at any time to suit your onward travel arrangements.