Leirhnjúkur

After Dettifoss, we stopped by the geothermal area of Leirhnjúkur. There is ample parking space at the lot here, and two trailheads that leave from the parking area. The path that heads left from the trail sign goes to a hot spring, stay on the trail straight-ahead to see the milky white geothermal pools and lava flows.

Continue on the trail past the geothermal pools and you’ll be standing on a lava flow that is still steaming in areas. The trail can be hard to follow at times, so keep an eye out for the posts that mark the way.

Viti Crater at Krafla

Just up the street from Leirhnjúkur is Krafla and the Viti Crater. The word Viti means hell in Icelandic, but this location is anything but hellish. The Krafla volcanic caldera is 10km wide and has had 29 recorded eruption in it’s history. There is a trail leading from the dirt parking lot that allows visitors to walk around the circumference of the Viti Crater.

Mývatn

Driving in to Mývatn you’ll pass the Mývatn nature baths. These are said to rival The Blue Lagoon, so make sure to stop if you’re looking for a place to relax. Continuing on the Ring Road you’ll see the massive Mývatn Lake. There are a number of hiking trails and scenic lookouts from here. If you’re looking for a place to stop and eat, make sure to check out the small town of Reykjahlíð.

Goðafoss

The next stop on this tour of North Iceland is at the “Waterfall of the Gods”, Goðafoss. In the year 1000, a man named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity Iceland’s official religion. This was done at a convention known as the Alþingi, at what is now Þingvellir National Park. If accounts of history are to be believed, Þorgeir threw the statues of his Norse gods into what is now Goðafoss upon returning from the Alþingi.

Akureyri

Akureyri is known as Iceland’s Capital In The North, and is Iceland’s second largest urban area. There is no shortage of things to do here, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time if you plan to explore. There is also the option to go whale watching in the harbor.

Ólafsfjörður

There aren’t too many points of interest along the Ring Road on the western stretch outside of Akureyri, so instread of just driving through, we decided to take a detour and explore Trollaskagi (Troll Peninsula). Even if you don’t plan on making any stops, the beauty of Trollaskagi is worth the detour. A word or warning though…don’t take this detour if you’re averse to driving in tunnels! The first tunnel to Ólafsfjörður is a one lane tunnel with pullouts for when you see oncoming traffic. I don’t spook easily, but that tunnel had me gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles!

We ended up enjoying the beauty of Trollaskagi so much that we changed plans and booked a waterfront cabin in Ólafsfjörður!

Siglufjörður

As you continue driving around Trollaskagion after passing through Ólafsfjörður, you’ll see the historic fishing village of Siglufjörður. There is a ski area that has hiking trails and views of the harbor. While in Siglufjörður, make sure to check out the herring museum and eat some fresh seafood.

Glaumbær

It is said that the farmhouse structures at Glaumbær have stood since the Age of the Settlements in 900 AD. They have since been renovated and restored, but the history remains. Visiting Glaumbær is like walking back into Iceland’s history. You can read more at Guide to Iceland.

Víðimýrarkirkja

After visiting the turf roofed farmhouse of Glaumbær, make sure to stop by Víðimýrarkirkja. This is one of the few remaining turf roofed churches in Iceland.

Hvitserkur

Hvitserkur is a basalt sea stack that juts 15m up from the ocean floor on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. We were lucky to visit Hvitserkur at low tide, which allowed us to walk out to and under the formation. To some the formation looks like a dragon taking a drink (head to the left, feet to the right). There is a large viewing area a short distance from the parking lot. The trail to Hvitserkur is a steep use-trail down a coastal bluff. Be very careful with your footing.

The Vatnsnes Peninsula is a great place to observe Iceland’s largest seal colony, as well as other forms of marine life.

Kolugljúfur Canyon

Kolugljúfur Canyon is a bit of a hidden gem in North Iceland. This is one of those locations that will flat out take your breath away. Start out by viewing the waterfalls near the bridge and the dirt parking area. From the bridge, you’ll see a few hiking use-trails that lead down and around the edge of the canyon. You can follow these trails for some once in a lifetime views.

Eiriksstadir – Viking Longhouse

Our final stop in North Iceland was at the Eiriksstadir Viking Longhouse. This replica farmhouse allows travelers to step back in time and experience what life might have been like for Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson. A Viking guide inside of the longhouse told us all about the history and lore of past centuries. He dressed me up and prepared me for battle!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide for North Iceland. Make sure to leave your comments and questions below. You can see more posts about Iceland and the Ring Road here.