Ring Road Glacier Stops Iceland, Every Stop From Reykjavik to Akureyri

The Glacier Access Points, in Order Around the Loop

Stop 1: Langjökull (1.5 hours from Reykjavik)

Route 1 west from Reykjavik, then north on Route 50 to Húsafell. The "Into the Glacier" tunnel tour runs year-round, 199-249 EUR per person, 5-6 hours including transfer. The tunnel itself is an engineered experience, not a natural glacier walk. Best for: visitors with limited time who want a "glacier" experience in any season. Skip if you are coming back to do the south coast later in the week.

Stop 2: Sólheimajökull (2.5 hours from Reykjavik)

Route 1 east from Reykjavik to the south coast. Walk-on glacier hike, year-round, 80-110 EUR per person, 2-3 hours. The most accessible natural glacier hike in the country. The access is at a small car park 20 minutes west of Vík. Best for: first glacier hike, south coast day trip, family with kids 8+. Pair with: Vík, Reynisfjara, Diamond Beach.

Stop 3: Katla (Mýrdalsjökull, 3 hours from Reykjavik)

From Vík (east of Sólheimajökull), a Super Jeep heads up onto the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap to visit the Katla ice cave. Year-round, 129-179 EUR per person, 3-4 hours. Best for: visitors in summer who want a natural ice cave, families, day-trippers from Reykjavik with Vík included. Pair with: Mýrdalsjökull viewpoint, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara.

Stop 4: Vatnajökull (Skaftafell, 4.5 hours from Reykjavik)

Continuing east on Route 1, the Skaftafell visitor centre is inside Vatnajökull National Park. Walk-on glacier hikes on Skaftafellsjökull year-round. Blue ice caves November to March. Most operators depart from the visitor centre or local hotels. Best for: a full day or overnight at Skaftafell. Pair with: Jökulsárlón (10 minutes east) and Diamond Beach.

Stop 5: Jökulsárlón (5 hours from Reykjavik)

The glacier lagoon where Vatnajökull meets the sea. Boat tours May to September on the amphibian boats and zodiac. The Diamond Beach is across the road. Not a "glacier hike" but a glacier experience: you are looking at the bergs the glacier broke off. Best for: south coast with a full day, east Iceland. Pair with: Skaftafell the day before.

Stop 6: Vatnajökull North side (Skagafjörður area, north coast)

The north side of Vatnajökull is largely inaccessible to tourists because of the distance and the topography. The closest option is the Drangajökull glacier in the Westfjords, accessible via Route 643 and a short hike. Drangajökull is small and rarely visited. Best for: Westfjords travellers with extra time, or those already in the north and seeking to add a glacier stop. Skip on a standard 7-day loop.

The 7-Day Loop Plan

Day 1: Reykjavik to Vík (south coast)

Pickup rental car or take the bus. Stop at Sólheimajökull for the glacier walk (3 hours including drive from Reykjavik), continue to Vík in the afternoon, walk Reynisfjara, stay overnight in Vík.

Distance: 250 km, 4-5 hours driving time.

Day 2: Vík to Höfn (east Iceland)

Morning: Vík to Skaftafell (1.5 hours), stop for the Svartifoss trail and the Skaftafellsjökull viewpoint. Lunch at Skaftafell. Afternoon: drive to Jökulsárlón (45 minutes), boat tour or Diamond Beach walk, drive to Höfn and overnight.

Distance: 270 km, 4 hours driving time.

Day 3: Höfn to East Fjords

East Fjords scenic drive (Route 1 + minor roads), fishing villages (Djúpivogur, Breiðdalsvík), overnight in Egilsstaðir.

Distance: 200 km, 3.5 hours.

Day 4: Egilsstaðir to Mývatn

Drive through the desert interior, optional detours to Dettifoss and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, overnight at Mývatn. Optional geothermal baths at Mývatn Nature Baths.

Distance: 180 km, 3 hours.

Day 5: Mývatn to Akureyri

Mývatn geothermal area in the morning (Hverir, Krafla), drive to Akureyri in the early afternoon, optional whale watching from the harbour. Overnight in Akureyri.

Distance: 100 km, 2 hours.

Day 6: Akureyri to Snæfellsnes

Long driving day via the Ring Road or the scenic route through Tröllaskagi peninsula. Overnight on Snæfellsnes.

Distance: 350-400 km, 5-6 hours.

Day 7: Snæfellsnes to Reykjavik

Snæfellsnes in the morning (Kirkjufell, Búðir, Snæfellsjökull). Drive back to Reykjavik for the afternoon.

Distance: 200 km, 3.5 hours.

The 5-Day Short Version

If you only have 5 days, drop the north coast and the East Fjords. Cover Reykjavik to Skaftafell in 2 days, then back via the south coast on the return:

1. Day 1: Reykjavik to Vík (Sólheimajökull stop).
2. Day 2: Vík to Höfn (Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón stops).
3. Day 3: Höfn back to Skaftafell area, overnight.
4. Day 4: Skaftafell to Reykjavik, with optional Golden Circle stops on the return (Gullfoss, Geysir).
5. Day 5: Reykjavik or Blue Lagoon, flight home.

Winter Loop Notes

The full Ring Road loop in winter (November-March) is not advisable for most visitors. Sections of Route 1 close 1-3 days per winter month for storms. The standard winter advice is: stay 5-7 days in Reykjavik or the south coast, do guided tours, do not self-drive east of Vík. If you specifically want Jökulsárlón in winter, take the bus, stay overnight in Höfn, take the bus back.

Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón are accessible in winter. The ice cave tours are winter only. Blue ice caves on Vatnajökull from the Skaftafell visitor centre run daily from late November through mid-March.

What About a Guided Loop Instead?

If the self-drive logistics are not appealing, multi-day guided tours of the Ring Road from Reykjavik exist. They are limited to 7-14 day formats and they handle the driving and accommodation. Cost is roughly 1,500-3,000 EUR per person for 7 days including most meals. The trade-off is you cannot change plans mid-loop. The right answer depends on whether the driving is interesting to you or just a means to the destination. Most visitors prefer self-drive because the stops along the Ring Road are half the experience.