Start planning

Public travel plan

Iceland’s Seven-Day F-Roads, Highlands & South Coast Expedition

This is a fast-paced, source-led route from the Golden Circle into the Highlands, then south and southeast before the long return toward Reykjavík. The creator describes rugged F-roads and occasional river crossings: us…

7 daysUpdated 15 highlights
Open map & itinerary Create your own
Travel inspiration for Iceland’s Seven-Day F-Roads, Highlands & South Coast Expedition

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

Travel inspiration video Watch on YouTube How to Spend 7 Days in Iceland Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This is a fast-paced, source-led route from the Golden Circle into the Highlands, then south and southeast before the long return toward Reykjavík. The creator describes rugged F-roads and occasional river crossings: use a vehicle permitted and equipped for the specific roads on your route, check current road and river conditions before setting out, and do not attempt a crossing you are unsure about. Keep the schedule flexible for driving and hiking conditions. The source mentions a canyon hike ending at a waterfall but does not identify the canyon; confirm its identity locally rather than navigating to a guessed location.

Resources for this plan

Shared by the source creators. These are not VibePlanit endorsements and may be affiliate links.

View the longer Iceland itinerary · Allan Su ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

day 1 — Golden Circle & a hot spring

Use the Golden Circle as an easier first day before the rugged Highland driving. The creator recommends including a hot spring as part of the Iceland experience; neither source names a particular spring, so choose one that fits your route rather than assuming a specific venue.

  1. Golden CircleGolden Circle, Iceland

    Start with the Golden Circle’s major attractions, then fit in a hot spring stop. The sources do not identify individual Golden Circle attractions or name a particular spring, so this itinerary deliberately does not add guessed pins.

days 2–3 — Kerlingarfjöll & Landmannalaugar

Head into the Highlands on F-roads, which the source describes as rugged gravel mountain roads with occasional river crossings. Allow time for both the geothermal scenery at Kerlingarfjöll and a hike at Landmannalaugar. A natural hot spring is mentioned at Kerlingarfjöll, but no specific spring is named.

  1. KerlingarfjöllKerlingarfjöll, Iceland

    Explore the geothermal valley, where steam rises among colorful mountains. The source also mentions a natural hot spring in this area but does not give it a distinct name or pin.

  2. KerlingarfjöllKerlingarfjöll, Iceland

    Set aside time for the natural hot spring mentioned in the Kerlingarfjöll area. Its exact location is not identified in the source, so verify the appropriate access point locally.

  3. LandmannalaugarLandmannalaugar, Iceland

    Continue to Landmannalaugar for its striking, otherworldly Highland scenery. Plan this as a separate stop from Kerlingarfjöll rather than trying to squeeze both into a single rushed outing.

  4. LandmannalaugarLandmannalaugar, Iceland

    Make time for a hike at Landmannalaugar to see the surrounding landscape from the trail. The source does not name a particular route, so choose a suitable hike based on current conditions and your ability.

days 4–5 — Southern valleys & volcanic landscapes

Continue south for the source-mentioned valleys and volcanic scenery. The two videos name different valley stops—Þakgil in one and Þórsmörk in the other—so both are included rather than treating them as the same place. Laki access is described as involving several river crossings; check conditions before committing to that drive.

  1. ÞakgilÞakgil, Iceland

    Visit the hidden valley described as being surrounded by steep green cliffs. Keep this stop distinct from Þórsmörk, which is a separate valley named in the other source.

  2. ÞórsmörkÞórsmörk, Iceland

    Explore Þórsmörk, the valley described as enclosed by steep green cliffs. The source also recommends a hike to a viewpoint of a nearby glacier, but does not name that glacier or the viewpoint.

  3. ÞórsmörkÞórsmörk, Iceland

    Set aside time for the recommended hike to a viewpoint of a nearby glacier. Because neither the glacier nor the viewpoint is named, confirm the route locally instead of navigating to an assumed landmark.

  4. LakiLaki, Iceland

    Visit Laki for its volcanic terrain, moss-covered landscapes, and large green craters. The source warns that the drive involves several river crossings, so assess current conditions and your vehicle before going.

days 6–7 — Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón & Vestrahorn

Continue southeast through Skaftafell to Jökulsárlón, then visit Vestrahorn on the final day before the long drive back toward Reykjavík. A canyon hike ending at a waterfall is also mentioned after the glacier viewpoint, but no canyon is identified; confirm the intended trail locally rather than pinning a guessed location.

  1. SkaftafellSkaftafell, Iceland

    Stop at Skaftafell National Park as the base for the source-mentioned waterfall and glacier-viewpoint visits.

  2. SvartifossSvartifoss, Skaftafell, Iceland

    Visit Svartifoss, the waterfall specifically called out at Skaftafell.

  3. SkaftafellsjökullSkaftafellsjökull, Iceland

    Continue to the viewpoint of Skaftafellsjökull glacier mentioned in the route. The source does not specify a particular viewpoint.

  4. Vatnajökull Ice Cave Tour Meeting PointJökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

    End the southeastward sightseeing with Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, named as a stop on the route.

  5. VestrahornVestrahorn, Iceland

    Visit Vestrahorn on the final day, as suggested, before beginning the long drive back toward Reykjavík.

  6. ReykjavíkReykjavík, Iceland

    Return toward Reykjavík after Vestrahorn; the source describes this as a long drive, so leave substantial time for the journey.