Iceland Travel Guide: 10-Day Itinerary in Landmannalaugar, Thórsmörk, and Þakgil

We're back for Iceland Round 2! On our first trip to Iceland 3 years ago (you can check out our 7-Day Iceland Campervan Ring Road Itinerary), we hit up all of the major tourist spots - the famous waterfalls, the glacier lagoons, the black sand beach. This time, our goal was to explore the Icelandic highlands. The only way to get there was to drive f-roads into the mountains, or take river busses specifically designed to ford rivers. It was quite the different adventure indeed - full of mountain hikes, hot springs, and remote huts. We did explore a few glaciers and black sand beaches along the way as well (even we needed a break from all the hiking!) If you're looking for true adventure and are willing to put in the steps to see the most incredible views, this is the itinerary for you!

​Day 1: ​Landmannalaugar

• Rent a 4WD car from Blue Car Rental for driving f-roads
• Start your morning with coffee from Reykjavík Roasters
• Have an Icelandic hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
• Rent sleeping bags, pillows, and a cooler from Iceland Camping Equipment (or bring your own)
• Grocery shop at Bonus, Kronan, or Dai Phat Asian Supermarket
• Drive 1.5 hours to Secret Lagoon for a warm soak and shower
• Drive 1.5 hours to Sigöldugljúfur to see the waterfalls over the canyon
• Continue driving 1 hour and stay 3 nights at Landmannalaugar Camping

Day 2-3: ​Landmannalaugar

• Hike the Blahnúkúr Brennisteinsalda Loop (6.8 mi, 2657 ft elevation gain)
• Rest and relax in the Landmannalaugar Hot Springs
• Hike the Sudurnamur Loop (5.6 mi, 1561 ft elevation gain)

Day 4: Panorama Glass Lodge

• Drive 2 hours to Panorama Glass Lodge
• Take in the views and keep an eye out for clear skies and the aurora at Panorama Glass Lodge

Day 5: ​Þakgil

• Drive 1.5 hours to Vik and stop for groceries at Kronan and hot dogs at N1
• Get coffee, bagels, and locally made handicrafts at Skool Beans Cafe
• Drive 45 minutes to Þakgil
• Walk the Easy Ravine Walk
• Hike the Remundargil Ravine Loop (6.7 mi, 2467 ft elevation gain)
• Stay at the Þakgil Cottages

Day 6-8: ​Jökulsárlón, ​Vestrahorn, Fjallsárlón, and ​Svínafellsjökull

• Drive 2.25 hours to The Potato Storage to stay for 2 nights
• Book a zodiac tour to get up close to the glaciers at Jökulsárlón
• See the black sand beach and dunes at Vestrahorn
• ​Walk along the glacier lagoon Fjallsárlón
• Take a short hike to see the waterfall Grófarlækjarfoss
• Hike to the edge of Svínafellsjökull Glacier

Day 9: Thórsmörk

• Drive 2.5 hours to park at Bru Base Camp or 2.75 hours to N1 Hvolsvöllur
• Take the highland bus to Thórsmörk
• Stay the night at Volcano Huts
• Hike the Valahnukur Volcano Hut Hike (1.5 mi, 748 ft elevation gain)
• Take the highland bus back and drive 1.5 hours to Reykjavík

Day 10: ​Reykjavík

• Try the cinnamon rolls at Brauð & Co
• Have lunch at Fish Company
• Take a free walking tour through CityWalk Reykjavik to learn about Iceland's history
• Drive 1 hour to relax at Hvammsvik Hot Springs which overlooks the ocean​