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Sanity Check on one long day - Southeast section of Ring Road

Posted by (Colorado) on

Hi friends!

I have us* staying at Lambhus Cabins near Vatnajökull Glacier before our long driving day to Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) via the ferry at Landeyjahöfn.

We could start off as early as 8am.

There are ferrys everyday at 3:45pm, 6:15pm, 8:45pm. We'd prefer the 3:45 or 6:15, but could push it to 8:45 (have to check with the hotel on the Island to verify late arrival).

Between Lambhus and Landeyjahöfn, we'd like to see the following:

  • 60 minute drive to Diamond Beach / Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (no boats, just walking the beach and checking out the glacier lagoon)
  • 60 minute drive to Skaftafellsjökull gönguleið
  • 60 minute hike "Geology Trail" at Skaftafell (RS says it's easy 2.3km)
  • Picnic at Skaftafell or next stop
  • 150 minute drive to Reynisdrangar Cliffs
  • 90 minutes to Landeyjahöfn
  • Catch the ferry

Is this doable?

I'm imagining Clark Griswold at the Grand Canyon ;)

Which begs the question - is it reasonable?!

We'll see the Volcano Museum (Eldheimar) on Westman Islands the next day (open daily 11-5)

*us/we = 2 adults, two teens, one 13, one 17

Posted by
341 posts

FYI - I did plus up the Google Map estimates, in case you're wondering!

Posted by
677 posts

My opinion? You are zipping really fast through one of the best areas on the south coast. We spent three days there getting from Höfn to Selfoss. Can you add one more day to your trip?

Posted by
341 posts

Hi naalehuretiree, that's what I thought, too fast, but hopefully doable.

What I decided, after much deliberation (we're not seeing Reykjavik or much of the West), is that we will come back and focus on the West/Southwest. There was just simply too much to see!

Ironically, our trip for this summer did not start out as including Iceland at all! I bought the plane tickets for Iceland, because it's direct from Denver and very reasonably priced. Our original intention was to just stay in Iceland overnight/maybe two days before flying to Spain. It was this forum that convinced me to carve out the 9 full days in Iceland.

Since I was wanting to see the North area and Westman Islands the most, I've made some choices accordingly, hence the resulting quick day through the South/Southeast.

I appreciate your advice, but can't add another day (or re-arrange the whole itinerary), so I'll just put Iceland back on my to visit list.

Posted by
2035 posts

I agree, too much and you will miss so much. There is just so much to see in Iceland and truly never enough time. I think I could live there for years and never see it all. So just plan that you will return:)

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