Ring Road around Iceland in 2022

Iceland Air

 In the spring of 2022 we decided to return to Iceland with friends to circumnavigate the whole island and see so much more of this beautiful country! We boarded Iceland Air in Toronto for the 5.5 hour flight to Keflavik airport. We lucked out with a car rental - a Suzuki hybrid car - and drove into Reykjavik to Midgardur hotel after breakfast in the airport. We needed a short nap and had a great cod dinner at the hotel. Off to bed early.

Next day, we checked out and our destination for the day was Akureyri in the north, drove to Bogarnes, stopped to walk to a special sculpture on the waterfront, stopped at a marker to Stephan Stephansson, the most famous Iclandic poet who emigrated and settled in Red Deer in Canada. We arrived in Akureyri at 5pm and on to our accommodation at  Lamb's Inn just outside the city. Had some wine and cheese, then drove to town for a great dinner at Bautinn. 

Godafoss

Akureyri

Next day was a drive to Husavik (remember the song from Eurovision?) The sun was shining and warm. Ate a picnic lunch on the way to Myvatn, a resort and lake we had heard about. Then on to Godafoss, an amazing waterfall just off the highway, then back to Lamb's Inn near Akureyri where the owner had made us a delicious lamb dinner with homemade ice cream too!

Husavik

May 17th is Norway's Independance day, but obviously not a big deal in Iceland! We drove to Myvatn for a latte (Skutustadagigar) and a short walk to the hill. On to the Dimmurborgir lava formations for a hike and lunch. It started to rain a bit so drove past the  Hverir volcano without a stop. 

Myvatn

Lava formations - Dimmurborgir

Then a long drive to Dettifoss waterfall. A 2.5 km hike in very windy conditions. 

Dettifoss

We also walked to see Selfoss as well. Then a long drive to overnight in Borgardfjordur Eystri. Very confusing roads, gravel, construction, poor signage, etc. Arrived around 7:30pm and ordered dinner, then to our room for a well deserved sleep!

Next day was pouring rain. We took a slightly different route out and stopped in Egilsstadir for gas, lunch and a latte. Arrived in Hofn 5pm and went to Pakkhus for a cod dinner. After a good sleep and breakfast, next day was driving in the rain to the Hofell glacier and to Jokulsarlon (iceberg lagoon at the foot of the glacier). Took the lagoon boat out in the lagoon seeing seals, eider ducks and arctic terns. 

Lagoon boat

Jokulsarlon lagoon

Drove to Skaftafell and a 2 km hike to see Svartifoss waterfall, not overly impressive as many others! Then a longer drive to Vik on the south coast and checked into Vik i Myrdal at Klettsuegur 1. Ate a delicious lamb dinner in the hotel. 

Black Sand beach at Reynisfjaera

Next day was still rain, so toured the Icewear shop and drove to Reynisfjaera and the black sand beaches. Lots of lupine blooming and very green hills. Then on to Dyrholaeuy on a big bluff and the lighthouse. Super windy, but cleared a bit. Back to the hotel in Vik for a rest, happy hour and out to a local restaurant for a nice dinner. Meals out are a bit expensive, breakfasts are often included in the hotel B&B style and we bought buns, meat and cheese for lunches on the road. 

Skogafoss and the stairs

Next day, we drove to Skogafoss. I walked up the 529 stairs to the top, then we drove on the Gullfoss one of the most impressive 3 tiered waterfalls in Iceland. Ate a lamb soup and fresh bread, then drove on to Reykjavik and checked into the Midgardur hotel for our final night. 

Reykjavik area

Checked out and departed the hotel and drove to Reykjanes peninsula to Grindavik, then on to Keflavik to drop off the rental and check in for our flights home. We had driven a total of 2367 kilometers on the Ring Road. Road tolls came to 2610 ISK ($26 CAD). Had a good flight home and to our own bed 2am.

Sculpture at Keflavik airport