Iceland 2025

June 24- July 14

The Beginning: Into the Land of Light

On June 24, we boarded an Icelandair flight from Toronto to Keflavík, landing the next morning under soft, silver skies. After picking up our Fiat Scudo camper van from Konvin Car Rentals, we stocked up on supplies in Reykjavík—Costco and Bónus (aka Porky’s)—then pointed the van toward the open road.

Our first destination: Þingvellir National Park, where tectonic plates drift apart and the landscape feels like the beginning of time. We wandered along the lakeshore and camped beneath a dusky sky, full of anticipation.

South Coast: Waterfalls, Moss & Black Sands

On June 26, we began our journey along the iconic Ring Road, stopping at Hrafnagjá for a first real taste of moss-covered lava stretching to the horizon. We chased waterfalls—Seljalandsfoss and Kvernufoss—each more magical than the last, stepping behind the cascades into a world of water and light.

At Skógafoss, the roar was thunderous. At Dyrhólaey, we stood on cliffs high above the Atlantic, the wind singing as waves burst through sea arches. We ended the day with basalt columns and black sands at Reynisfjara, before settling into the quiet of Vík, where we walked the beach under a late Icelandic sky.

Canyons, Trolls & Glaciers of the Southeast

June 27 took us to Bakki, where we ate breakfast in a cave with only the wind for company. The dreamy cliffs of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, the hidden Troll houses tucked into grassy hills, and the mossy moonscape of Eldhraun—each stop felt like stepping into a fairytale.

At Skaftafell, we camped beneath the mountains. On June 28, we hiked near the creaking blue face of Svínafellsjökull Glacier—a place of silence and awe that quickly became a favorite. We revisited Fjallsárlón, Jökulsárlón, and shimmering Diamond Beach, then ended at Vestrahorn, where black dunes and mountain spires collided with sea mist. We camped by the Viking Café, ocean in our ears.

Eastern Edges & Puffin Dreams

On June 29, we explored the Viking film set, the lesser-known beauty of Skútafoss, and the wild cliffs of Hvalnes, where the wind howled and the sea glittered. We drove through landslide zones and fjords wrapped in fog, watching for Arctic Terns and reindeer, before curling inland to Borgarfjörður Eystri—home to thousands of puffins.

We stayed in Bakkagerði on June 30 and July 1, giving me time to capture the puffins in their coastal colony. The light was soft, the cliffs alive with wings and color, and the fish soup at Álfacafé warmed us with joy.

Canyons, Columns & Geothermal Magic

On July 2, we climbed to Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls framed by red cliffs, then detoured into Stuðlagil Canyon, where turquoise water flows between perfect basalt stacks. We spent the night near the river, wrapped in silence.

July 3 brought more canyon hiking—both sides of Stuðlagil, where basalt geometry met gentle water. We moved north to the surreal, steaming landscapes near Krafla, then wandered the boiling mud pots of Hverir/Námafjall, ending at Lake Mývatn for a quiet night under a milky sky.

North Coast: Horses, Tunnels & Lava Trails

On July 4, we explored Grjótagjá Cave, the wooded shores of Höfði, panoramic vistas around Mývatn, and the roaring Goðafoss waterfall. From Akureyri, we drove the stunning Troll Peninsula, through five tunnels (two single-lane!) with fjord views that made us stop and stare. We camped in Sauðárkrókur, walking its wide black beach.

July 5 was about Icelandic horses, craters, and coast. We stopped at Brístapar and Grábrók Volcano, then followed the road west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, photographing Arctic Terns near Langaholt, before ending the day at Arnarstapi, under jagged cliffs and crashing surf.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Myth and Wild Shores

On July 6, we explored Gatklettur Arch, hiked into Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge, and wandered the rocky coast of Hellnar. We passed Lóndrangar sea stacks, visited Djúpalónssandur’s surreal shoreline, and watched golden light sweep across Skardsvik Beach. We camped in Hellissandur, surrounded by ancient lava.

July 7 brought us to Rif for more tern photography, the rusty Saeljos GK-2 shipwreck, and Kerlingarfoss. We passed crowded Kirkjufell, skipped it this time, and watched fierce winds whip across Selvallavatn Viewpoint, before returning to Keflavík for dinner and stories.

Into the Highlands: Color and Silence

On July 8, we returned to Reykjavík, picked up my daughter Giulia and spent a few hours together then and swapped the camper van for a 4x4 Jeep Compass with a rooftop tent—ready for the highlands.

On July 9, we followed lava-covered roads through Grindavík, climbed to Háifoss and Granni, and made our way along F-Roads 208 and 224 to Landmannalaugar, stopping at Hnausapollur Crater Lake and Stútur along the way. We camped just before the river crossings, feeling like we’d reached the edge of the world.

July 10 was a dream: a 7-hour hike across the steaming, rainbow-colored mountains of Landmannalaugar, climbing into the rhyolite folds of Brennisteinsalda and crossing ancient lava flows.

Golden Circle & A Farewell to Fire

On July 11, we left the highlands, stopping at the breathtaking Sigöldugljúfur (Valley of Tears), passing Hrauneyjar, and returning to the Golden Circle with a visit to Brúarfoss. That night we dined at Efstidalur II and camped at Skjól, the stars barely showing in Iceland’s endless summer light.

July 12 began at Gullfoss, early enough to beat the crowds. We watched Geysir bubble and breathe, circled the red rim of Kerið Crater, and followed a quiet road along Þingvallavatn Lake back to Thingvellir, where the journey began.

July 13 was our last full day. We explored the shipwreck-strewn Hópsnes Peninsula, watched steam rise from Gunnuhver, stood on the cliffs of Valahnúkamöl, and let the wind carry us through one last adventure. That night, at Malai Thai in Keflavík, we toasted to the road, the light, and everything in between.

Final Reflections

This wasn’t just a trip. It was a deep breath in a wild place. Iceland showed us silence and storms, ice and fire, stillness and spectacle. Through every lens, trail, and turn, we found moments of awe. We left with cards full of images—and hearts full of light.