Embarking on a winter trip along Iceland’s iconic Ring Road is an unparalleled adventure between waterfalls, beaches, fjords, glaciers, lava fields and lagoons…
Here’s our advice on how to best plan your trip around Route 1 in winter: the best stops to make along the way, driving conditions, how long to allow…
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Iceland’s Route 1 in winter (Ring Road)
Map
Here’s a map with our favorite attractions along this route in winter, and the main towns:
Iceland’s circular route, numbered Route 1, connects all the island’s major cities, as well as many popular attractions. It is 1,332 km long and paved throughout. It takes you through a magnificent variety of landscapes. It is also called Hringvegur in Icelandic.
Driving the Ring Road in winter
The road is almost always one lane in each direction, apart from a few bridges. It is generally well-maintained and easy to drive.
However, road conditions can vary considerably due to snow, ice and strong winds. There may be temporary closures of sections of the road, especially due to wind.
Beware: in the eastern fjords, there may be reindeer on the road.
Always check road conditions on Umferdin before setting off.
And see all our winter driving tips.
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
How long does it take to drive around Route 1?
Without stopping and staying on Route 1 only, it will take you 16 to 17 hours to circumnavigate Iceland on the ring road in good summer conditions. So rather 10 to 11 pm in winter, in good conditions.
And don’t forget that the days are shorter in winter, with only 4 to 5 hours of daylight in December!
If you’re not making a detour (to the Golden Circle, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Husavik…), you can plan a one-week itinerary.
Where to stop and sleep along the circular route
You’ll find the widest choice of hotels in the main towns around Route 1 (but these are very small towns):
- Vik at the heart of the south coast
- Höfn between the southern coast and the eastern fjords
- Egillstadir between the eastern and northern fjords
- Reykjahlid around Lake Myvatn
- Akureyri, capital of the North
- Borgarnes, gateway to the Snaefellsnes peninsula and the Silver Circle
Among our favorite hotels:
- Hotel Vik i Myrdal, in the town of Vik, elegant and quiet
See photos and availability - Myvatn – Berjaya Iceland Hotels, Modern with large windows
See photos and availability - Hotel Hamar (before Icelandair) in Borgarnes. Outdoor saunas and jacuzzis.
See photos and availability
More ideas in our article: where to sleep in Iceland in winter.
1. Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls because you can walk behind it.
Unfortunately (but fortunately for our safety) this path is closed in winter.
You can only admire the 60m-high waterfall from the front. It’s already very pretty, with stalactites forming on the parts where the start is less powerful.
In addition, the path along the ancient cliffs is landscaped and takes you to another waterfall hidden in the rock: Gljufrabui. It’s a must-see in winter.
- 5 min detour from Route 1
- From Rekjavik = 1h40 drive
- From Vik = 1h drive
- Pay parking
- Waterfall visible from the parking lot, and open paths
Read more in our article on Seljalandsfoss in winter
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
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- + 75 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
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2. Skogafoss
Skogafoss is one of our favorite winter waterfalls.
The cascade is powerful, a curtain of water 60m high and 25m wide.
Because of its power and water volume, it won’t freeze in winter.
We love the different perspectives you can get, and also the contrasts between black rock and white snow.
- Close to Route 1
- From Rekjavik = 2h drive
- From Vik = 30min drive
- Waterfall visible from the parking lot
- Easy flat walk to the waterfall
- And to get up to the high platform, over 350 steps. Please note that we do not recommend it for people who suffer from vertigo.
Find out more in our article on Skogafoss in winter
3. Reynisfjara
In winter, Reynisfjara’s black sandy beach takes on a mystical and bewitching atmosphere. Black sand, towering basalt cliffs and the famous Reynisdrangar rock peaks contrast with the white of the snow.
The crashing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean offer an experience for all the senses.
- Just before the town of Vik
- 6km from route 1
- From Rekjavik = 2h25 drive
- From Vik = 15min drive
- Beware, some waves suddenly rise very high on the beach and its dangerous, do not approach the water’s edge!
Find out more in our article on Reynisfjara in winter
4. Glacier hike: Skaftafell or Solheimjokull
In Iceland, winter is the ideal season for glacier trekking, a unique and unforgettable experience. There are several options on the south coast.
The Sólheimajökull glacier offers breathtaking scenery with its bluish crevasses and ice arches. Experienced guides will help you explore these natural wonders in complete safety.
In Skaftafell National Park, in the heart of the majestic glacial cliffs of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, you can venture onto wind-sculpted glacier tongues and contemplate millennia-old ice formations.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, these winter hikes on Iceland’s glaciers offer breathtaking scenery and total immersion in the wilderness. But you still need to be in good physical condition.
The two main hiking areas are Solheimjökull(see availability) and Skaftafell(see availability).
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
5. Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach
The Jokulsarlon lagoon is a vast lagoon, filled with icebergs that have broken off from the nearby Vatnajökull glacier. It offers a surreal, ever-changing landscape. The view is captivating, with the glacier in the background, which is clearly visible on a clear day.
Diamond Beach, just across the road, is also a natural wonder. This expanse of black volcanic sand is adorned with glistening icebergs that have washed ashore after drifting from the lagoon. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, have complex shapes and shades of blue, black, white or transparent.
We can’t guarantee how many icebergs you’ll see, as it depends on the weather the days before and the tides, but give it a try!
- Between Vik and Höfn
- Along Route 1
- From Reykjavik = 5h drive
- From Vik= 2h30 drive
- From Höfn = 1h10 drive
- Pay parking
- View of the lagoon near the parking lot
Find out more in our article on Jokulsarlon in winter.
6. Ice caves
One of the highlights of a winter trip to Iceland is a visit to a natural ice cave. These ephemeral cavities, formed by the freezing of glacial meltwater, are only accessible between mid-November and early March, before melting in the heat.
Every year, new and unique caves are created, offering shapes, tunnels and sculptures created by nature. The most famous are on the Vatnajökull and Kötlujökull glacier tongues. Some cellars are blue, others black.
Please note that you’ll be starting out in 4WD on bumpy roads. Not recommended for people with back problems.
For an unforgettable experience, it’s essential to book a guided tour in advance. They are filling up, as this is the most popular activity in Iceland!
See availability on different tour options
- Departures from Jokulsarlon for most caves
- Allow 3 to 4 hours
Find out more in our article on ice caves.
7. Höfn
At the eastern end of the south coast, you’ll find the town of Höfn. It’s a quiet town, organized around a port. The atmosphere is very peaceful in winter. It’s an ideal place to spend the night before exploring the Eastern Fjords.
We recommend a visit to the Höfn memorial for sunrise (Seamen Monument). The sculpture is beautiful and offers a 360° view.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
8. Eastern fjords and Fauskasandur beach
The fjords of eastern Iceland in winter are both breathtaking and remote, with narrow fjords surrounded by sheer cliffs and small fishing villages nestling at their base.
The area is sparsely populated, which adds to its unspoilt beauty. But you might come across some reindeer!
One of our favorite stops before the narrow fjords is Fauskasandur beach. It’s a black sand beach with a dark monolith standing on the shore. The surrounding mountains and small cliffs add to the dramatic scenery, especially when covered in snow (note: this photo was taken in February and the fjords just beyond were all white!).
Discover more landscapes in our article on Eastern Fjords in winter.
9. Hverir
Hverir is a geothermal zone that remains easily accessible in winter. It offers a unique, otherworldly landscape, even in cold weather. You’ll be amazed by the contrast between the bubbling mud pools, steam vents and sulfur deposits and the perfect white of the snow. The ground is tinged with vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange from mineral deposits, contrasting sharply with the whiteness of the snow.
- Just east of Lake Myvatn
- From Egilsstadir = 2h drive
- From Akureyri = 1h15 drive
- Allow 30min to 1h
- Pay parking
- No installations
- Respect the marked trails to avoid melting your shoes!
Find out more in our dedicated article.
10. Dimmuborgir
At Dimmuborgir, the snow-covered lava formations create a magical landscape, especially if the sky is white too! Although some of the trails are difficult, the main area remains accessible.
Scientists believe that around 2,300 years ago, a lava tube formed above a lake. It trapped the water in a reservoir around 10 m deep.
As the lava began to cool, the reservoir was released, leaving only the shapes created by the steam.
We loved the black-and-white landscape, where you can let your imagination run wild.
- Around Lake Myvatn
- From Egilsstadir = 2h drive
- From Akureyri = 1h15 drive
- Allow 45min to 1h to explore and enjoy the most accessible part.
- Bring crampons
- Restaurant closed in the dead of winter
- Free access
Find out more in our dedicated article.
11. Skutustadir: pseudo-craters on Lake Myvatn
Skutustadir is an area of Lake Myvatn with several pseudo-craters. Only part of the trail is accessible in winter, but the calm, frozen landscapes seem quite surreal.
Make no mistake, these are not real volcanic craters!
The theory is that these pseudo-craters were formed around 2,300 years ago, by steam explosions as hot lava flows over wet sediments or frozen ground. It’s a fairly rare phenomenon, and experts believe it also occurs on Mars.
In any case, we enjoyed climbing up one of them to admire the scenery.
- Around Lake Myvatn
- From Egilsstadir = 2h10 drive
- From Akureyri = 1h5 drive
- Allow 1 hour
- Wear crampons to walk safely on the trail
- Restaurant at the hotel across the road
- Free access
Find out more in our dedicated article.
12. Godafoss
In winter, the Godafoss waterfall is one of the most enchanting, in our opinion.
As the river continues to flow, parts of the waterfall are frozen solid, forming stalactites in white and blue.
The surrounding area is covered in snow, creating a striking contrast with the rushing glacial waters.
- In North Iceland
- Direct access along Route 1
- From Akureyri = 40min drive
- From Lake Myvatn = 50min drive
- 10min walk along the river to admire the different viewpoints.
- Petrol station with snack bar
- It’s a great place to see the northern lights.
Find out more in our article on Godafoss.
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
7-day or 10-day itinerary
If you just stay on Route 1, without any detours, you can do:
- Day 1
Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara
Overnight in Vik - Day 2
Fjallsarlon, Jokulsarlon and ice caves
Overnight in Höfn - Day 3
Eastern Fjords
Overnight in Egilsstadir - Day 4
Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Skutustadir and Myvant Nature Baths
Overnight in Myvatn - Day 5
Godafoss, Akureyri and whale watching boat trip
Overnight in Akureyri - Day 6
Road back down to the south with beautiful snow-covered landscapes - Day 7
Reykjavik
With 10 days, either you add detours to the Golden Circle, Seydisfjordur Fjords, the Silver Circle and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Or slow down on the south coast, adding glacier trekking, the attractions of Vik…
Detours from the Ring Road in winter
Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s best-known region, with the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal site and Thingvellir National Park with its fissures.
See our article on the Golden Circle in winter.
Silver Circle / Cercle d’Argent
Iceland’s Silver Circle is a scenic route accessible all year round, even in winter. It takes you to the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, with their intense blue waters, as well as Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, and the Vidgelmir lava tube.
Find out more in our article on the Silver Circle in winter (coming soon).
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
In winter, the Snaefellsnes peninsula offers a breathtaking snow-covered landscape. You’ll find mountains, fjords, volcanoes, black sand beaches, waterfalls, caves… a bit of everything. It’s Iceland in miniature!
Find out more in our article on Snaefellsnes in winter.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
