Did you recognize there are lots of of hidden gems in Iceland? If you’re searching for untouched nature, otherworldly hikes, and amazingly beautiful distant corners, that is your destination!
Iceland is one in all the only a few countries left in Europe where you’ll be able to still find so many off-the-beaten spots. Below, we listed the ten picturesque places in Iceland still unconquered by the crowds, with detailed info on the best way to visit them.
Guest post by Igor Vilcec at Epic Iceland
Natural Hot Springs – Hidden Gems in Iceland
There are many famous hot springs in Iceland. You’ve probably heard rather a lot about Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. They are all artificially made, fancy and expensive places, often very crowded. Authenticity is missing almost completely from these places. Moreover, for those who are searching for budget places to go to, none of them will likely be friendly to your wallet.
Luckily enough, aside from the famous touristy hot pools, there are also almost 100 wild hot springs in Iceland. Most of them are situated entirely away from the masses. Yes, they’re harder to succeed in, they usually don’t have fancy showers or dressing rooms. But being alone in a wild and distant Icelandic hot spring is definitely once in a lifetime experience.
Hrunalaug
Hrunalaug might be one of the vital picturesque Icelandic hot springs. It’s situated in an abandoned rural area where the one thing you’ll be able to hear is the bleats from sheep. The surroundings of Hrunalaug are amazingly green in the summertime and completely white and covered by snow in winter. In the midst of those is somewhat wood shelter that serves as form of a changing room.
There are three separate pools, every one with different temperatures. This means you’ll be able to select the one which suits you one of the best. Water will not be the cleanest, but hey, that’s a part of the journey! It is pleasantly hot, though.
Fun fact: this hot spring was once a spot where locals washed their sheep. Luckily, it’s now not been the case for tens of years already.
Where is Hrunalaug?
Hrunalaug is situated next to the small village of Flúðir, quite near the famous and infrequently very touristy Secret Lagoon. Compared to the lagoon, you’ll often be alone at Hrunalaug and in beautiful countryside surroundings. It takes just a couple of minutes of driving from Flúðir by an area road to succeed in the small, improvised Hrunalaug automobile park. You may leave your automobile there and follow on foot. It’s a straightforward 5-minute walk from the automobile park before you see Hrunalaug in front of you.
You can reach Hrunalaug by any 2wd automobile in summer. In winter though it’s beneficial to drive a four wheel drive automobile, since the local roads could also be icy and snowy. It’s possible to make use of also a 2wd automobile, but only when road conditions are good.
Tips on visiting Hrunalaug
- Hrunalaug is maintained by locals and there’s a donation box attached to the shelter. The entrance fee is 1000ISK, or about 7 USD per person.
- If you come outside of the summer, it’s best to check the road conditions on trafficinfo.is before the visit.
- Although it’s distant and wild, an increasing number of visitors are heading to Hrunalaug. If you should you should definitely be alone there, select the early morning or late evening hours.
Iceland Hidden Gems – Krossneslaug
Krossneslaug is one of the vital distant hot pools in Westfjords. The hot spring source is wild, but an area family has made an infinity pool out of it! And as a bonus, this pool boasts a fairytale-like view over the nearby fjord.
Where is Krossneslaug?
Krossneslaug is situated within the eastern a part of Westfjords, at the tip of road 643, Strandavegur. The closest inhabited settlement is the village of Djupavik. It takes a few 45-minute of drive to succeed in Krossneslaug from Djupavik.
The road resulting in Krossneslaug is a mud road stuffed with potholes. It’s beneficial to take a four wheel drive automobile even in summer, otherwise, you could damage your automobile. In winter, the road is inaccessible for normal cars, just for Icelandic super jeeps.
Tips on visiting Krossneslaug
- In summer, the owner of the pool maintains it and resides in a cute little house nearby. The entrance fee is 1500 ISK or about 10 USD per person.
- If any crowds head to this pool, it’s normally in the total season of July and the primary half of August. A peak season ends in the midst of August, and by you then will most certainly be alone there.
- It’s an extended drive, so it’s good to mix your trip with visiting the complete Westfjords.
Gudrunarlaug
Gudrunarlaug is one of the vital beautiful hot springs in western Iceland, yet not known to many visitors. It is exclusive on account of its authentic, old wood shelter serving as a changing room and, after all, a cute hot spring constructed from stones. If you should absorb the true Icelandic atmosphere, then Gudrunarlaug is the appropriate place to do it.
Where is Gudrunarlaug
Gudrunarlaug is situated in-between the Snaefellsnes peninsula and Westfjords, next to the foremost road 60. You must take a 3-minute detour by an area road to succeed in the new spring. This is perfectly doable in summer by a 2wd automobile. In winter, though, a four wheel drive automobile is generally mandatory, since the local road is commonly stuffed with snow and/or ice.
Tips on visiting Gudrunarlaug
- In summer, you could park your automobile at somewhat automobile park situated a couple of hundred meters below the pool. In winter, though, this automobile park is generally stuffed with snow, and you could be more creative about where to park your automobile. In any case, don’t leave your automobile in the midst of the road or on someone’s private property.
- There’s a donation box next to Gudrunarlaug with a voluntary contribution of 1000 ISK or 7 USD.
- If you should have almost a certainty to be alone at Gudrunarlaug, come outside of summer. Visitors very scarcely come to Gudrunarlaug in winter.
Hikes within the Highlands
One thing is bound in Iceland, and that’s you’ll never meet crowds when hiking within the Icelandic highlands. There are countless hiking opportunities, most of them around otherworldly landscapes you’ll be able to’t find anywhere else. The majority of those places are harsh and harder to succeed in, though. To arrive at a few of them, you’ll need to rent a brilliant jeep in Iceland.
That being said, you could prepare properly for all features of the Icelandic highlands. Plan well for the roads you will likely be driving, study the hiking trails upfront, and take appropriate clothing and kit. In return, you will likely be rewarded with one-of-its-kind views and experiences.
Hidden Gems in Iceland – Askja
Askja is a volcanic crater stuffed with water of a magical blue color you’ve probably never seen before. It looks like a fake at first glance, but it surely will not be. Askja is one in all those places where you’ll virtually feel like you’re on one other planet. And as somewhat bonus – you’ll be able to actually swim in lake Askja! The water within the crater is warm enough to make bathing in it very nice. However, you could plan well for the best way to visit Askja, since it’s harder to succeed in, and that’s why it stays one in all the hidden gems in Iceland.
Where is Askja?
Askja caldera is situated within the central Icelandic highlands. and it takes a hell of a drive to succeed in it. Roads resulting in Askja are accessible only in summer. Always check trafficinfo.is for his or her accessibility. You can arrive at Askja either from the north, by a highland road F88, Öskjuleið, or from the east by highland roads F905 and F910. Then you could have to proceed by yet one more highlands road F894.
After a few 3-hour long drive, you’ll finally reach the Askja automobile park. From there, it takes a few 45-minute hike to succeed in Askja lake. Bear in mind that every one of the F-roads resulting in Askja require crossing medium-sized rivers. You must have a giant four wheel drive automobile to do that and practice proper river-crossing techniques. In a nutshell, you could find the shallowest spot within the river and cross there.
Tips on visiting Askja
- It’s highly suggested to go to Askja only in nice weather. Central highlands are sometimes foggy, windy, and rainy even in summer. It may even be dangerous to go to Askja in too harsh a weather.
- To swim in Askja, you could hike down the caldera. It’s a steep, unmarked trail where hiking poles are available in very handy. Once again, it’s best to attempt this hike only in nice weather. When it rains, you could get injured.
- Roads resulting in Askja are an adventure on their very own. Plan enough time to admire their surroundings. These are one-of-a-kind landscapes
Landmannalaugar
Have you ever seen rainbow mountains? Well, in Landmannalaugar you’ll. Landmannalaugar is one in all the most colourful areas of the Icelandic highlands. Green moss mixes with orange rhyolite mountains, black volcanic ash, blue gravel, and white chunks of snow. Hikes in Landmannalaugar are one of the vital memorable things you could possibly do in Iceland.
There are several beautiful hiking trails in Landmannalaugar of assorted difficulties. Among the shortest and the best hikes are the Laugahraun lava field or a hike to the orange mountain called Brennisteinsalda. Those with higher hiking skills may relatively hike a whole loop including a majority of the attractive spots in the realm. The tallest peak of Landmannalaugar, the blue mountain, or Bláhnúkur is an element of this loop.
Where is Landmannalaugar?
Landmannalaugar sits within the heart of southern Icelandic highlands and is accessible only in summer. There are 3 alternative ways you’ll be able to drive to Landmannalaugar by yourself. The first option is to reach from the north by road 208. This is the best but in addition the least beautiful road. It doesn’t require a four wheel drive automobile, though. The second option is the mountain road F225 from the west. It’s nicer, but it surely requires a four wheel drive automobile and crossing a small river.
The final option is to reach from the south by taking road F208 from around Vik. This is probably the most beautiful road, but it surely requires an even bigger four wheel drive automobile and crosses several medium-sized rivers. The last stretch of the road to Landmannalaugar then leads via a mountain road F224. There’s a deeper river situated at its end, which you could either cross with a correct automobile or leave your automobile in front of it and walk the remainder on foot.
Tips on visiting Landmannalaugar
- You can camp at Landmannalaugar and the campsite is situated in very picturesque surroundings.
- Ideally, select a non-foggy day to benefit from the magnificent views from the hikes to the fullest.
- Always check the road conditions before happening www.road.is
Kerlingarfjoll
If you’re searching for hidden gems in Iceland then Kerlingarfjoll should proudly sit at the highest of your list. Kerlingarfjoll is a mountain area hidden within the central Icelandic highlands, famous for its orange colours. It’s a hikers’ paradise where you could wander next to hot spring streams stuffed with boiling Sulphur and admire otherworldly landscapes at every step. You can read a detailed guide to Kerlingarfjoll to decide on a particular hike.
Where is Kerlingarfjoll?
Kerlingarfjoll is situated exactly in the midst of Iceland. You can get to Kerlingarfjoll only in summer, and you wish a four wheel drive automobile for that. To arrive at Kerlingarfjoll you could have to take road 35, Kjolur, first after which turn east in the midst of the road for the detour by a mountain road F347 leading on to Kerlingarfjoll.
Road 35 is accessible each from northern Iceland, next to Varmahlid, and from the south, next to the famous Gullfoss waterfall. Which path to take mostly is determined by the remainder of your plans. Both the southern and northern parts of road 35 are similarly difficult and long, and the landscapes around are kind of the identical.
Tips on visiting Kerlingarfjoll
- Kerlingarfjoll could be very cold, even in summer. This is one in all the coldest areas in Iceland. Dress accordingly. Try to catch a pleasant day, weather-wise.
- Kerlingarfjoll campsite could be very picturesque, and it’s situated just a couple of miles away from the foremost hiking area.
- There are many boiling hot springs in Kerlingarfjoll, in the realm called Hveradalir. None of them is accessible for bathing, though. They are just too small, too hot, and too dangerous for swimming.
- There’s one hidden hot spring where you could actually swim. You can reach it from the Kerlingarfjoll campsite. It’s a few 1-hour hike, one-way, but it surely’s totally price it!
Hidden waterfalls – Wonders of Iceland
There are lots of, if not hundreds of various waterfalls in Iceland. Some of them are thoroughly hidden, though. They are mostly situated within the highlands and lots of are much more beautiful than their famous and crowded counterparts! To reach these off-the-beaten-path waterfalls, you could drive long distances through harsher terrain or hike inside narrow canyons. But that’s exactly what’s so unique about Iceland.
Aldeyjarfoss – Hidden Gems in Iceland
Aldeyjarfoss is a robust waterfall entirely away from all of the tourist masses. Aldeyjarfoss is exclusive on account of its cascade, rectangular-shaped rocks that eventually resemble a famous Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik. This will not be a coincidence. The church was indeed built based on these rocks.
Where is Aldeyjarfoss?
Aldeyjarfoss is situated within the northern a part of the Icelandic highlands. To reach it, you could have to take the local road 842, Bárðardalsvegur, between Akureyri and Mývatn. The road is accessible only in summer. Then, for the last 3 miles, you could have two options. You can either proceed via mountain road F26 right to the little automobile park above the waterfall, or you could leave your automobile initially of the road.
To drive the road F26 you wish a four wheel drive automobile which is mandatory in Iceland for all mountain roads. If your only option is a 2wd automobile, then you could have to depart your automobile initially of the road, and hike the last 3 miles. From the automobile park, it takes around 5 minutes to access one of the best viewpoints of Aldeyjarfoss.
Tips on visiting Aldeyjarfoss
- The best views of Aldeyjarfoss are in the course of the sunset. This is when when you could snap among the most beautiful photos of the waterfall.
- It’s possible to hike all the way down to the bottom of the waterfall, where a small, cold lake is situated. It’s a steep and unmarked hike, do it only very rigorously. The bravest ones may then dip into the cold lake and take some cool pictures with the waterfall within the background.
Nauthusafoss
Nauthusafoss waterfall would proudly bear a reputation hidden gem. It’s not only hidden at the tip of the narrow ravine but in addition a road resulting in this ravine that’s well hidden away from all of the foremost roads. Nauthusafoss is a really unique waterfall looking like an oasis in the midst of nowhere. And for those who are lucky, you could be completely alone there. Why? Because it’s not that easy to succeed in this place.
Where is Nauthusafoss?
You can get to Nauthusafoss by taking the local road 249 from the famous ring road. Road 249 results in a hard-to-access hiking area called Thorsmork. About halfway into Thorsmork, there lies a minuscule detour toward a ravine called Nathusagil. To reach this detour, no special automobile is required, you’ll do superb with a 2wd automobile in summer. In winter, the Nauthusagil ravine is inaccessible.
You may leave your automobile at a small gravel automobile park just in front of Nauthusagil. Then you could have to hike for about half-hour to succeed in the Nauthusafoss waterfall. But the hike will not be an atypical one. You could have to traverse through rocks, streams, and narrow canyon partitions. At one point, you’ll need to climb an enormous stone wall using the attached chain! You definitely should be fit for this hike.
Tips on visiting Nauthusafoss
- The hike is wet, but with good-quality shoes, you don’t must bring any special water shoes. You could make it with dry feet even in normal shoes.
- The place is much more unique when the sun starts to shine into the ravine. Sunbeams then create a novel scenery and a game of lights.
- Guided tours normally visit this place around 10 AM and around 4 PM. Try to decide on different times to avoid tourists.
Highland roads
Icelandic highlands roads are so special they even received a special name, F-roads. Some say that is on account of the very fact, that whenever you drive them you’re feeling like saying an f-word on a regular basis. On one hand, these mountain roads are very rough and sometimes even dangerous. On the opposite hand, they’re surrounded by magnificent landscapes, and driving them makes for an ideal adventure trip.
F-roads are open only in summer, and a four wheel drive automobile is compulsory to drive them. The most vital thing is to select the correct automobile in Iceland. Some F-roads require huge cars, the so-called super jeeps, to pass them without damaging your automobile. Almost all mountain roads contain river crossings and these should be approached with huge caution. Good preparation is of the uttermost importance in relation to F-roads. Nonetheless, it’s normally greater than just well worth the views and adventures!
F208 Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri
The southern a part of road F208, or in Icelandic Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri, is one of the vital beautiful roads in Iceland. Volcanos covered with moss, black ash, and harsh landscapes are only a couple of of the highlights this road offers. Pick a pleasant day with a correct automobile, and you may not regret driving this road!
Where is F208?
F208 is an extended road connecting Vik with Landmannalaugar. The road then continues further north and turns into non-F-road 208. The northern a part of the road is the least interesting, though. If you could have enough time and sufficient automobile, definitely drive the southern a part of it, south of Landmannalaugar.
To drive F208 you could have a four wheel drive automobile, ideally a rather greater one, like Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan X-Trail. With small city SUVs, like Toyota Rav4, you could encounter problems when there’s an excessive amount of water within the rivers. The worst thing that may occur to you is flooding the engine with water. In that case, your automobile will likely be dead. Forever.
Tips on driving F208
– Always check trafficinfo.is before going. Ideally, ask someone local concerning the river conditions.
– There are many beautiful detours along the road. For example, a detour east towards lake Langisjór via road F235 or a detour towards magical Ljótipollur lake near the Landmannalaugar area
– Buy good automobile rental insurance before taking the road. Most automobile rental corporations won’t insure you for river crossings. Some corporations do, though, but they’re typically costlier.
F261 Emstruleið
The mountain road F261, Emstruleið, belongs to one in all the higher accessible and yet still amazingly beautiful Icelandic F-roads. When driving the F261, you will likely be surrounded by fascinating landscapes from the moment you enter the road.
Firstly, you’ll pass a Stora-Dimon hill right round the corner on road 250. Be sure to hike it on a pleasant day. There’s a shocking view from Stora-Dimon over the big arms of a close-by river and all the best way into Thorsmork. Then there will likely be a weirdly shaped mountain called Einhyrningur to the northwest. Deeper into F261, you may even pass the detour towards the spectacular Markarfljotsgljufur canyon within the southeast.
Then there’s a detour to the northwest resulting in Hungurfit mountain hut. This is a really tough detour just for huge jeeps. Finally, road F261 ends shortly before the legendary Maelifell volcano. To reach it, you could proceed via the harder road F210 with an excellent greater automobile.
H4: Where is F261?
F261 is situated within the southern Icelandic highlands on the alternative side of the Krossá river than the hiking area Thorsmork. It connects southwestern Iceland with one other mountain road, F210. Emstruleið is the better of those roads, thus more suitable for the primary timers in Iceland.
You must drive a four wheel drive automobile on F261. The quality of the road will not be one of the best, so expect an uneven and rocky terrain. The greater the automobile the higher. There can be one river crossing at the tip of F261. The river known as Blafjálakvisl and may get deep when it rains rather a lot, so take special care when crossing it.
Tips on driving F261
- If you don’t need to cross any rivers, you’ll be able to still drive the substantial a part of F261. The only river crossing is situated almost at the tip of the road, near the crossroads with F210.
- F261 is a really bumpy road. Be sure to have a automobile with high ground clearance. Otherwise, you’ll have to drive very slowly. In that case, count on having enough time.
- The detour towards Markarfljotsgljufur canyon is even bumpier with many dangerous sharp stones on the road. If you don’t have a correct automobile, it’s higher to depart your automobile on the side of the road on the gravel (not on the road) and reach the canyon by hiking.
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