Future trips to Iceland

It's never to early to plan another trip to a place you just went to.

There are a lot of things I would love to do or see again in Iceland; however, there are also many new things that I want to do and see! So, these trips are built around things that I haven't done yet, and venturing out farther from Reykjavík than I did last time.

Southeast Iceland

A (airport) to B (Vestmannaeyjar): 2 and a half hour drive plus an hour boat ride.
B to C & D (Vik and black sand beach): 1 hour drive
C & D (Vik) to E (Skaftafell park): 1 hour and 45 minute drive
E (Skaftafell) to F (Jökulsárlón): 45 minute drive
Back to the airport: 5 hour and 15 minute drive

This is my most well-planned out trip, and I'm sure I could convince my parents to go with me.

After flying in, drive to Reykjavík and head southeast on the ring road. On the first day, take a boat out to Vestmannaeyjar. I saw these islands from shore, but visiting them would be amazing.

Vestmannaeyjar

After that, drive to Vík and stay there for the night. The next day, see the black sand beach in Vík, and then head farther east.

Black Sand Beach

Skaftafell: see the ice caves, and the Svartifoss waterfall, and whatever else is around. Spend two to three days here, doing some hiking and camping in the park.

Svartifoss

Then drive farther to the ice lagoon, Jökulsárlón. This is at the edge of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in the world outside of the arctic region.

Jökulsárlón

After that, it's a long drive back to the airport (5 hours). You could split up the driving and stop in Vík on the way back instead of on the way there.

Northwest Iceland

After flying in, drive 3 hours north and take a quick detour to Kirkjufell on the north side of Snæfellsness. (I missed it last time!) 

After that, head farther north to a the Westfjords.

Some attractions: Rauðisandur beach, the Dynjandi waterfall, Látrabjarg bird cliffs, the western-most point in Europe. Explore the fjords and towns.

Rauðisandur

Dynjandi

Látrabjarg

I would love to take a boat from Isafjordur for a day-hike into the Hornstrandir nature reserve to (hopefully) see some arctic foxes, and lots of birds. I'm going to have to do some more research into this possibility though; there are guided multi-day treks through the nature reserve, which may also be a good option.

Then go to Akureyri, and spend some time in the city. Things to do in town: Botanical garden, swimming pools, whale watching, historical sites, ferry to a nearby island, such as Grimsey.

Akureyri

After the adventure is over, head back to the airport along highway 1. It's five hours from Akureyri.

You could skip Akureyri on this trip to save some time and driving.

Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls hike

A map of the hike.

This 5 day trek is probably the trip closest in my future, and the most affordable. You just fly out there, catch a bus to the beginning of the hike, and then catch a bus at the end. You pack all your food with you, which saves some money. I think I'll be buying a few showers at the camps along the hike, and staying in the cabins rather than camping, but -- still cheap for an international trip. This trail has some gorgeous scenery along the way, and the only way to see it is to hike it.

The view at Landmannalaugar, the beginning of the hike.

Ring Road road-trip 

Drive all the way around Iceland in about 10 days, preferably in a camper or RV, and see the sights along the way. This would be a good trip to do after the other ones, so I can re-visit some of my favorite places along the way.