Volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal in the Icelandic South


Trip description

It is not a secret, Iceland is world famous for the variety and singularity of its geology and related geothermal phenomena. A week's throw on the formidable Icelandic territory will make it a fairly complete idea, from hot springs to dried lava deserts, to glacial languages in splendid waterfalls. 

Day 1: Reykjanes Peninsula

Day 2: Westmann Islands

Day 3: Nesjavellir and Þórsmörk

Day 4: Hekla Volcano and Eldgjá Gorge

Day 5: Skaftafell Park

Day 6: From Vatnajökull to the Breiðárlón and Jökulsarlón glaciers

Day 7: Reykjavik

Day 1 : Reykjanes Peninsula

Day1 : Reykjanes Peninsula ©François JANNE DOTHEE


The Reykjanes Peninsula contains one of Iceland's best-known power plants, Svartsengi, which draws steam from the ground and provides water to neighbouring communities through a 300 km pipeline network. The excess is poured into the Blue Lagoon, renowned for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Krísuvík gives another example of the region's activity, with its solfatars and bubbling mud ponds. Night in Hveragerði, a village characterized by its geothermal greenhouses.




Day 2 : Westmann Islands

Day2 : Westmann Islands ©Stéphan SZEREMETA


Þorlákshöfn, a small port south of Hveragerði, ferries tourists daily to the Westmann Islands, also known as the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. The largest island in the archipelago, Heimaey, experienced a devastating eruption in 1973. The lava spilled contains enough energy to supply Vestmannaeyjar for 4,000 years. Overnight on the island of Heimaey




Day 3 : Nesjavellir and Þórsmörk

Day3 : Nesjavellir and Þórsmörk ©Author's Image


After returning to the ferry, another geothermal location provides its share of interest: Nesjavellir, not far from Reykjavík. The Geysir area is also one of Iceland's most famous attractions, thanks to the sumptuous spectacle of the Strokkur geyser and the fumaroles that border it. An oasis surrounded by three glaciers, Þórsmörk is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland. However, the roads to access it require crossing dangerous rivers. Night in Hella.




Day 4 : Hekla Volcano and Eldgjá Gorge

Day4 : Hekla Volcano and Eldgjá Gorge ©Tomaz Kunst - Shutterstock.com


The study of the unpredictable Hekla volcano precedes a few moments of relaxation in the hot springs and landscapes of Landmannalaugar. This is followed by a passage through Ófaerufoss Falls, established in the Eldgjá gorge, before returning to a 4x4 track that leads straight to the overnight stop, Kirkjubaejarklaustur.




Day 5 : Skaftafell Park

Day5 : Skaftafell Park ©Agence de Promotion de Madère


In 1783, the Lakagígar crack spilled the largest flow of lava in Iceland's history. Today, a multitude of pseudo-craters line up in a landscape completely ravaged by the eruption. The circular road then leads to Skaftafell National Park, which offers many walking trails to observe the glacier languages of Vatnajökull. Shortly before arriving in Skaftafell to spend the night, a few kilometres of track leads straight to a glacier that imposes itself violently at the bend of a last bend.




Day 6 : From Vatnajökull to the Breiðárlón and Jökulsarlón glaciers

Day6 : From Vatnajökull to the Breiðárlón and Jökulsarlón glaciers ©Author's Image


Covering no less than three volcanoes, Vatnajökull experienced a devastating eruption in 1996. Tour operators offer day or half-day excursions on its glacier tongues, ranging from walks with crampons and jeep rides to climbing steep walls. In the region, a glacier information centre provides information on the development of these imposing moving masses. Before spending the night in Höfn, the observation of lakes Breiðárlón and Jökulsarlón will reveal, in the heart of a magical universe, the secrets of melting ice.




Day 7 : Reykjavik



Return to Reykjavik by plane departing from Höfn airfield. Day in the capital and its surroundings, with why not a bath in the warm and laiteuses waters of a lagoon in the middle of the volcanic rocks.




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