Our Ring Road Adventure Around Iceland in October 2025
So yes, there really is a piece of Mars on Earth—and for a geophysics enthusiast, it feels nothing short of heaven.
In October 2025, we finally travelled there. This is the story of our nine-day road trip around Iceland, a journey through glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and landscapes so surreal that they often felt extraterrestrial.
The dream of visiting Iceland began years earlier during my undergraduate studies. In geology and geophysics classes, we learned about active volcanoes, plate tectonics, and a remarkable island nation sitting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Iceland exists because of the interaction between two of Earth's major tectonic plates—the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Even more astonishing was the realization that visitors could actually stand between these continents and see the plate boundary for themselves.
For a geophysics enthusiast, that idea was irresistible.
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| The map of our road trip and the places we visited in different colours day-wise! |
"Iceland isn't a destination you simply visit. It's a place that constantly reminds you how small you are—and how extraordinary our planet really is."
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| Size comparison of the country Iceland and the state of Maharashtra! |
What we didn't expect was how often we'd find ourselves pulling over on the side of the road just to stare at the landscape.
Our trip lasted from October 4 to October 12, including arrival and departure days. We completed a modified Ring Road circuit around the country, driving approximately 2,200 kilometers while staying in budget guesthouses and preparing most meals ourselves from grocery stores, and experienced some of the most spectacular scenery we've ever seen.
Day 0: Arrival in Iceland: Landing on Another Planet
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| The dragon egg at KEF airport |
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| We were welcomed by Iceland with a rainbow! |
When we first started planning this trip, we knew Iceland would be different. We had seen the photographs: glaciers glowing blue in the distance, waterfalls plunging from cliffs, black sand beaches stretching toward the Atlantic, and the occasional appearance of the Northern Lights. What we didn't realize was how quickly Iceland would exceed those expectations.
Our journey began on a chilly October afternoon when we landed at Keflavík International Airport. Even before the aircraft touched down, the landscape below looked unlike anywhere we had been before. Endless lava fields stretched toward the horizon, covered in moss and broken only by distant mountains. It felt more like landing on another planet than arriving in Europe.
After collecting our rental car, we resisted the temptation to immediately start sightseeing. One of the biggest lessons we had learned while planning the trip was that Iceland can be expensive, particularly when it comes to food. Instead, our first stop was a supermarket near Reykjavík to stock up on groceries for the week ahead. That single shopping trip would save us a considerable amount of money over the course of the journey.
The drive from Keflavík toward Reykjavík offered our first glimpse of Iceland's unique geology. Vast lava fields surrounded the road, a constant reminder that this island was created by volcanic forces deep beneath the Earth. As a geophysics enthusiast, it was impossible not to feel excited. Places we had studied in textbooks were suddenly real.
The remainder of the evening was intentionally relaxed. We checked into our accommodation, unpacked, and took a short walk along the waterfront. The cool air, the distant mountains, and the quiet atmosphere immediately made us feel welcome.
Tomorrow, the real adventure would begin.
Driving: ~50 km
Overnight: Keflavík
Day 1: The Golden Circle
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| Us at the Sun Voyager |
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| Taking the bridge between two continents on my shoulders |
The city felt calm, clean, and unhurried. Colourful houses lined the streets, snow-capped mountains were visible in the distance, and despite being the country's capital, Reykjavík retained the atmosphere of a small town.
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| Us at the Hallgrímskirkja |
We started the morning at Hallgrímskirkja, whose striking design was inspired by Iceland's basalt columns. Standing at the top of the church tower provided sweeping views across the city, the surrounding mountains, and the North Atlantic beyond.
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| Geysir Geothermal Area |
Our first major stop was Þingvellir National Park, and for me, this was one of the most anticipated locations of the entire trip.
Years earlier, during undergraduate coursework, I had learned about plate tectonics and the geological forces that shape our planet. Iceland sits directly on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and Þingvellir is one of the few places in the world where that boundary can be clearly observed on land.
Standing there felt surreal.
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| The famous Gullfossen |
For years, these concepts had existed only in lectures, diagrams, and textbooks. Now we were literally walking between two continents.
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| Us at the Gullfossen |
Leaving Þingvellir, we continued toward the Geysir geothermal area. Although the original Great Geysir erupts only rarely today, nearby Strokkur performs every few minutes. Watching boiling water suddenly explode twenty metres into the air never lost its appeal. Each eruption was followed by a collective gasp from the crowd and an immediate scramble for photographs.
The final major stop of the day was Gullfoss.
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| The majestic Bruarfoss |
The waterfall remained hidden until the very last moment. Then, almost suddenly, the canyon opened beneath us and an enormous volume of glacial water plunged into the gorge below. The roar was deafening. Mist drifted through the air, and occasional rainbows appeared whenever the sunlight broke through the clouds.
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| Us at the Bruarfossen |
Even after seeing countless photographs beforehand, nothing prepared us for the scale and power of Gullfoss.
Before ending the day, we made one final stop at Kerið Crater. Unlike the waterfalls and geothermal landscapes we had seen earlier, Kerið offered something different: a striking volcanic crater filled with vivid blue water. Viewed from above, it looked almost like a giant eye staring back from the Earth itself.
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| Us at the Kerið Crater |
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| The eye of the Earth: Kerið Crater |
As the afternoon light faded, we drove toward our accommodation near Selfoss.
The first day had already delivered tectonic plates, erupting geysers, giant waterfalls, and volcanic craters. It felt almost impossible that the scenery could become more dramatic.
We would soon learn that Iceland was only getting started.
Driving: ~340 km
Overnight: Near Selfoss
Day 2: Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches, and the South Coast
Route:Þorlákshöfn → Gljúfrabúi → Seljalandsfoss → Sólheimajökull → Dyrhólaey → Reynisfjara → Kirkjubæjarklaustur
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| Seljalandsfoss in her whole majesty |
The South Coast is where Iceland begins to reveal the landscapes that most people associate with the country. Waterfalls plunge from ancient sea cliffs, glaciers descend toward the ocean, and black volcanic beaches stretch into the distance beneath dramatic skies.
We left Selfoss early and headed east along Route 1, beginning what would become one of the most visually spectacular sections of the trip.
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| Titanic moment at the Gljúfrabúi |
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| Having a Gerua Moment |
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| Behind the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall |
Our first stop was Seljalandsfoss. Unlike most waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss allows visitors to walk completely behind the curtain of water. The path was slippery, the spray was relentless, and within minutes we were thoroughly soaked. Yet the view from behind the waterfall was unforgettable. Looking through the falling water toward the surrounding countryside felt like standing inside a living postcard.
Just a short walk away was Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall tucked inside a narrow canyon. Reaching it required stepping through a shallow stream and squeezing between moss-covered rock walls. Many visitors overlook this spot, but for us it became one of the highlights of the day. Emerging into the hidden chamber and seeing the waterfall cascading into the enclosed gorge felt like discovering a secret known only to a few travellers.
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| Entrance to the Gljúfrabúi |
Continuing east, we reached Sólheimajökull Glacier. This glacier tongue extends from the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and provides one of the most accessible opportunities in Iceland to experience a glacier up close.
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| Starting of the Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike |
Standing on the ice was both exciting and sobering. Deep crevasses cut through the glacier's surface, while layers of volcanic ash created striking dark bands across the ice. It was a powerful reminder that Iceland's glaciers and volcanoes exist in a constant geological partnership.
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| On top of the sun-home-glacier |
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| With the whole glory of the glacier hiking gear |
By afternoon we arrived at Dyrhólaey, where towering cliffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean. From the lighthouse viewpoint, we could see black beaches stretching for kilometres in both directions, framed by distant glaciers and crashing waves.
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| The landscape of Dyrhólaey |
The final major stop of the day was Reynisfjara.
No photograph had adequately prepared us for its scale.
Black volcanic sand stretched toward the horizon while enormous waves rolled in from the North Atlantic. Towering basalt columns lined the cliffs, and sea stacks rose dramatically from the ocean offshore.
It was beautiful, but it also felt wild.
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| Climbing on the basalt column of the Reynisfjara |
Warning signs everywhere reminded visitors about the danger of sneaker waves, and seeing the power of the ocean firsthand made those warnings easy to understand.
As evening approached, we drove through vast moss-covered lava fields toward Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The landscape became increasingly remote, and for long stretches it felt as though we were driving through another world entirely.
By the time we reached our accommodation, we were convinced that Iceland had already exceeded every expectation we had brought with us.
Day 3: Vatnajökull National Park: the Glacier Kingdom
If Day 2 introduced us to Iceland's dramatic landscapes, Day 3 revealed their grandest scale.
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| The majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon |
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| After the hike to the waterfall at the end of the canyon |
The drive eastward took us through some of the most remarkable lava fields we had ever seen. Thick moss blanketed the ancient volcanic rock, softening the landscape and giving it an almost dreamlike appearance.
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| The moss covered lava fields on the way |
Our next destination was Skaftafell, within Vatnajökull National Park.
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| Us at the Svartifoss waterfall |
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| Svartifoss: with the basaltic columns all around |
From Skaftafell we continued toward the glacier lagoons.
Fjallsárlón was our first stop. Smaller and quieter than its famous neighbour, it offered an intimate view of icebergs floating directly beneath the glacier tongue. There were few people around, and the silence made the experience feel even more special.
Then came Jökulsárlón.
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| Jökulsárlón: The large chunks of glacier in the lagoon |
Few places in Iceland have achieved such iconic status, and after visiting, it was easy to understand why.
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| Us at Jökulsárlón |
Massive icebergs drifted slowly across the lagoon, occasionally rotating and revealing brilliant shades of blue hidden beneath their weathered surfaces. Seals swam between the floating ice, while the distant glacier towered over the entire scene.
Across the road, Diamond Beach provided an entirely different spectacle. Fragments of glacier ice washed ashore on black volcanic sand, creating a stunning contrast between transparent ice and dark beach.
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| The glacier diamonds on the black sand beach |
Every wave rearranged the ice sculptures.
No two moments looked the same.
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| Another Gerua moment at the Diamond Beach |
As evening approached, we continued toward Höfn before making one final stop at Stokksnes.
The jagged peaks of Vestrahorn rose dramatically behind black sand dunes, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. Under the soft evening light, the mountain looked almost unreal.
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| The first glance of the Auroae! |
Later that night, while having dinner outside our guesthouse, we noticed a faint green glow above the horizon.
Ribbons of the Northern lights dancing on our heads
Within minutes, the glow intensified.
We stepped outside into the cold October air and watched ribbons of green light begin dancing across the sky.
It was our first proper Northern Lights display.
For several minutes, we simply stood there in silence.
Nothing else needed to be said.
Driving: ~255 km
Overnight: Höfn
Day 4: Exploring the East Fjords: Hidden Waterfalls, Basalt Canyons and the Road to Seyðisfjörður
Route: Sauðanes Guesthouse → Stöðvarfjörður → Egilsstaðir → Rjúkandi Waterfall → Stuðlagil Canyon → Seyðisfjörður |
| The Multitiered Rjukandi Waterfall |
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| Us at the Rjukandi Waterfall |
The East Fjords quickly became one of the biggest surprises of our trip.
Unlike the South Coast, which is filled with famous landmarks, the East Fjords are defined by the journey itself.
The roads wind around dramatic coastlines. Mountains plunge directly into the sea. Tiny fishing villages appear unexpectedly around each bend.
We found ourselves stopping constantly.
After passing through Egilsstaðir, we stopped at the elegant Rjúkandi Waterfall. Although less famous than many of Iceland's waterfalls, its multiple tiers and peaceful setting made it one of our favourites.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Stuðlagil Canyon.
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Only recently revealed after changes to the nearby river system, Stuðlagil has rapidly become one of Iceland's most impressive natural attractions.
The canyon walls consist of towering basalt columns, perfectly geometric and seemingly impossible in their precision. Below them, glacial water flowed through the canyon in vivid shades of blue and turquoise.
The hike was longer than expected but absolutely worth the effort.
By late afternoon we crossed Fjarðarheiði Pass on our way to Seyðisfjörður.
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| The sheets gazing the fields alongside the ring road |
The road climbed into the mountains before descending toward one of Iceland's most picturesque towns.
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| Blue church and Rainbow street |
After several days of glaciers and wilderness, Seyðisfjörður felt unexpectedly artistic and welcoming.
It was the perfect place to spend the evening.
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| The Fjord in the night: Seyðisfjörður |
Driving: ~350 km
Overnight: Egilsstaðir
Day 5: Geothermal Landscapes of North Iceland: Iceland's Volcanic Heart
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| Us at Dettifoss |
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| Dettifoss with basalt columns in the background |
The scenery changed dramatically as we entered the volcanic heart of North Iceland. This day was one of the most diverse days of our trip. Leave the colourful fjord town of Seyðisfjörður and cross the mountain pass toward northeast Iceland.
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| Hverir with Sulfer fumes |
Boiling mud mini volcanoes
The smell of sulphur announced our arrival long before we could see the geothermal field itself. We continued south to the geothermal area of Hverir, where bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and sulphur-coloured earth create an almost Martian landscape. The smell of sulfur at Hverir announced our arrival long before the geothermal field came into view. Steam vents, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral deposits made the area feel almost extraterrestrial.
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| Trying photography skills at Hverir |
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| Above the Grjótagjá Cave sitting on the fault in the lava field |
Next, we climbed Hverfjall, a giant volcanic crater offering stunning views over Lake Mývatn. It felt less like Iceland and more like Mars.
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| At the Skútustaðagígar with mini volcanic craters in the background |
Then we continued through the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, a labyrinth of volcanic rock arches and towers.
Nearby, we visited Grjótagjá Cave, a lava cave containing a beautiful geothermal spring made famous by Game of Thrones.
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| Lava field of Dimmuborgir |
Before leaving the area, we had a stop at Skútustaðagígar, pseudocraters formed during ancient lava eruptions. Every stop revealed another reminder that Iceland is still being actively shaped by geological processes.
We fiinished the day at Goðafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods," one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls.
Arrive in Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland.A relaxing evening at the Mývatn Nature Baths was the perfect way to end the day. If the South Coast felt cinematic, the Mývatn region felt extraterrestrial. Steam rose from the earth. Mud boiled. You feel it.
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| Godafoss from the platform |
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| Godafoss in all its glory |
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| Roaming around in Akuryeri |
Driving: ~300 km
Overnight: Akureyri
Day 6: Waterfalls, Northern Towns, and the Journey South
Route: Akureyri → Glaumbær → Hvítserkur → Búðardalur |
| Basalt columns used by Vikings as fortifications back in their day! |
Goðafoss provided one last spectacular waterfall. Akureyri offered a glimpse of everyday Icelandic life. As we headed south, we realized how quickly Iceland had become familiar. The mountains. The waterfalls. The endless horizons. What felt alien a week earlier now felt strangely comfortable.
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| Us in front of the majestic Hvítserkur |
Goðafoss may not be Iceland's largest waterfall, but its elegant horseshoe shape made it one of the most beautiful.
After days of driving and hiking, soaking in warm geothermal water while cold air swirled around us felt perfect.
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| Hvítserkur from the top of the hike. A small waterfall can also be seen! |
The highlight of the afternoon was Hvítserkur, a 15-meter basalt sea stack rising from the ocean. Locals describe it as either a dragon drinking from the sea or a giant troll turned to stone by sunlight.
Rising from the sea, the basalt formation resembles either a dragon drinking from the ocean or a giant troll frozen by sunlight, depending on which local story you hear.
We spent far longer there than planned.
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| After the dip in the thermal bath near a river and a waterfall |
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| We saw a few seals chilling in the sea! |
The remainder of the drive carried us through quiet countryside toward western Iceland. It was one of the least dramatic days of the itinerary in terms of famous attractions, yet one of the most relaxing. For the first time during the trip, the goal wasn't simply to reach the next spectacular landmark. It was to enjoy being in Iceland.
Driving: ~300 km
Overnight: Borgarnes
Day 7: Waterfalls, Hiking and Reykjavík
Route: Búðardalur → Glanni → Barnafoss → Hraunfossar → Reykjavík → Keflavík
The final full day on the road balanced sightseeing with the long drive back toward Reykjavík. The final driving day felt bittersweet. Your final sightseeing day combines waterfalls, hiking and Reykjavík culture.
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| The cascading Glanni waterfall |
Start with Glanni Waterfall, a beautiful cascade surrounded by lava fields.
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| Barnafoss flowing through lava field |
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| Us in front of the Glanni Waterfall |
Just upstream lies Hraunfossar, one of Iceland's most unique waterfalls. Water emerges directly from beneath a lava field and flows into the river through hundreds of small cascades. The contrast between the dark volcanic rock and the countless small waterfalls made Hraunfossar one of the most unique sights of the trip.
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| Us and the Hraunfossar |
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| Hraunfossar falls emerging through rocks! |
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| Street art in the port area in Reykjavik |
In the evening drive to Keflavík accommodation for an easy departure the next morning.
As sunset faded, we reflected on everything we had experienced over the previous eight days.
Glaciers.
Volcanoes.
Waterfalls.
Black sand beaches.
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| Landscape of the road and mountains and clear skies |
Geothermal landscapes.
Fjords.
And the Northern Lights.
The next morning we would leave Iceland.
But Iceland was not quite ready to leave us.
Overnight: Keflavík
After one final Icelandic sunrise, we drove back to Keflavík Airport and returned the rental car.
Although the trip covered much of the country, Iceland left us with the feeling that we had only scratched the surface. Every fjord, waterfall, glacier, and volcanic landscape seemed to hint at another adventure waiting beyond the next bend in the road.
Why Iceland Changed the Way We Look at Earth
Long before we booked the flights, Iceland existed in our minds as a place of geology textbooks, lecture slides, and scientific diagrams.
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| Geothermal field in autumn colours |
For years, we had studied concepts such as plate tectonics, volcanism, glaciers, geothermal systems, and landscape evolution. We understood the theory. We could explain the processes. We knew the terminology.
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| People swimming between the tectonic plates |
But Iceland was the first place where we could see all of it happening around us in real life.
At Þingvellir, we stood between two tectonic plates slowly drifting apart.
At Hverir, we watched the Earth's internal heat escape through steam vents and boiling mud pools.
At Sólheimajökull and Jökulsárlón, we saw glaciers actively shaping the landscape while simultaneously retreating under a changing climate.
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| The mountains and the Atlantic sea in the north! |
At Dettifoss, we witnessed the immense power of water carving through volcanic rock.
At Stuðlagil, we saw basalt columns that revealed the hidden geometry of cooling lava.
Every day felt like walking through a giant open-air geology laboratory.
Yet what surprised us most was not the science.
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| A waterfall on the road |
It was the scale.
Textbooks often simplify Earth into diagrams and processes. Iceland reminds you that these processes are real, dynamic, and still unfolding.
The island itself is geologically young. New land is continuously being created by volcanic activity. Glaciers reshape valleys and rivers. Geothermal energy rises from deep within the crust. The landscape is constantly evolving.
In many places around the world, geological change feels distant, something that happened millions of years ago.
In Iceland, it feels present.
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| Autumn colours and ducks! |
You can see it.
You can walk through it.
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| One of the slow mornings near the fjord |
You can hear it in the roar of waterfalls, smell it in geothermal fields, and witness it in the glaciers that continue to carve the land.
As scientists, we often spend our lives trying to understand how natural systems work. Iceland offered a rare opportunity to step directly into those systems and experience them firsthand.
Perhaps that is why this trip left such a lasting impression on us.
The waterfalls were beautiful.
The glaciers were unforgettable.
The Northern Lights were magical.
But beyond all of that, Iceland reminded us why we fell in love with science in the first place.
It reminded us that our planet is not a static backdrop to human life.
It is alive, dynamic, and constantly changing.
And few places on Earth allow you to witness that more clearly than Iceland.
Final Thoughts
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| Fish and chips at Akuryeri |
Iceland is often described as expensive.
And it is.
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| The vehicle that took us around! |
But it doesn't have to be inaccessible.
By staying in guesthouses, cooking our own meals, and focusing on Iceland's greatest asset—its extraordinary natural landscapes—we managed to experience one of the world's most beautiful countries without spending a fortune.
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| Lamb soup with traditional bread |
Weeks after returning home, people inevitably asked us the same question:
"What was your favourite part?"
We never managed to give a consistent answer.
Sometimes it was the glaciers.
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| Spherical sheep graze the grass |
Sometimes it was the Northern Lights.
But the truth is that Iceland isn't defined by any single destination.
It's the feeling of turning a corner and discovering that the next view is somehow even more spectacular than the last.
It's the realization that our planet is far stranger, more dynamic, and more beautiful than we often imagine.
And perhaps most importantly, it's the feeling of knowing that even after driving more than 2,200 kilometres around the country, you've only just begun to explore it.
We left Iceland with thousands of photographs, a few unforgettable memories, and one certainty:
we will be back.
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| The skies are calling us! |
Kasla sundar aahe he! And so so authentic
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