VanLife Iceland- SE & E Diary & Highlights

I spent 4 days exploring the unimaginable SE and E of Iceland in my motorhome. Right here’s my day-to-day vanlife in Iceland diary so you possibly can observe alongside.

*We work exhausting to make this the very best motorhome weblog and highway journey web site doable, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in the event you purchase by hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no additional price to you. All opinions stay our personal.

If you happen to discover this submit helpful, you possibly can additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)

Day 1 of Vanlife Iceland

The ferry arrived in Seydisfjordur at round 09.30 and I used to be pleasantly shocked to see a number of blue skies and sunshine. I began as I imply to continue- by stopping on the Netto to purchase contemporary meals (you’re not allowed to deliver contemporary meals into Iceland), plus a caramel doughnut.

This was swiftly adopted by the unintended discovery of Iceland’s worm (cousin to the Loch Ness Monster apparently) and an excellent larger unintended introduction to the notorious Icelandic gravel roads…

In reply to the query I had earlier than I arrived: sure, a 2WD motorhome can get down a gravel highway, however I don’t suggest it in your coronary heart well being. Not simply because gravel roads usually are not enjoyable to drive, however as a result of the Icelanders drive loopy quick down them!

I spent the evening at a Viking Cafe, which was round £12pppn and had each unbelievable views and waffles!

Viking Village

Days 2 & 3 of motorhoming in Iceland

Day 2 began early. The discuss I attended about Iceland on the ferry over stated one of the best ways to take care of fixed daylight is to get right into a rhythm and keep on with it. Additionally they prompt getting up early to do essentially the most touristy issues, so you possibly can see every part earlier than the tour buses arrive.

Subsequently, I booked myself onto the very first rib boat tour of the day on the Glacier Lagoon. Excitedly, I awoke at 6am… and located myself in thick fog. It was, as we’d say in Jersey, a correct peasouper. Nonetheless, as I drove in direction of the Lagoon parking, the fog appeared to hug the coast, however not go too far inland, that means once I rounded a nook I had the jaw-dropping expertise of seeing the glacier proper in entrance of me.

It’s exhausting to place it into phrases in the event you’ve by no means seen a glacier earlier than. The sheer scale of it’s huge, and the great thing about this specific one set towards the mountains and sea is particularly breathtaking.

After which I rounded one other nook and noticed the Glacier Lagoon with all its icebergs. I’ll be sincere, I nearly got here to a whole cease within the highway. It’s STUNNING. The solar was low and made the ice sparkle and the water was so still- it was unimaginable.

I managed to get the drone up earlier than the tour, which was unbelievable. My suggestion is unquestionably to do the rib boats somewhat than the massive yellow ducks- you’ll get a lot additional into the lagoon and nearer to the glacier. We even noticed a seal sunbathing on an iceberg. 🙂

Afterwards, I handled myself to probably the world’s costliest crepe (£12.50 for ham and cheese!)- however it was scrumptious and warming after the chilly wind on the rib.

I headed again anti-clockwise, stopping at one other pretty campsite with views over the ocean and mountains- simply £12 for the evening. The truth is, I appreciated this one a lot that I made a decision to remain right here one other day to calm down and have a day of not driving- crucial once you’re doing lengthy journeys.

Black sand seashore

Day 4 of vanlife in Iceland

At present’s mission- discover a sea geysir and two waterfalls.

Though the day began in mist and low cloud, it cleared up shortly. The NE nook is named ‘Majorca’ by the Icelanders as a result of it’s typically sunny right here – that’s actually been my expertise. The ocean geysir was a bust.

After strolling right down to the spot and ready for 20 minutes, I concluded the ocean was both too calm to make it go off, or it solely goes off very sometimes. Both means, I moved on to discover a waterfall you may stroll behind.

This was very practically a bust too. It’s known as Gilsarfoss and there aren’t any indicators aside from a tiny handmade one… which I missed. The issue with lacking this signal is I discovered myself on a really slim gravel coastal highway.

Turning the motorhome round was inconceivable for a number of miles- and even once I managed it, it was very dodgy (and the drop was steep as I reversed in direction of it!) I nearly didn’t trouble to return.

However I’m so glad I made the trouble. This waterfall was great. A few 10-minute hike to a crystal clear pool, and you may stroll behind the falls. I want I’d purchased a picnic and my swim gear to benefit from the place longer- there wasn’t anybody else round the entire time I used to be there.

On my approach to the following cease, I handed one other superior spot. Proper on the principle highway, it’s subsequent to a waterfall whose title stays unknown, however was a stunning view for lunch.

Finally made it to Hengifoss, certainly one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls- and it didn’t disappoint. The hike just isn’t significantly lengthy, however STEEP. You may select the left or proper aspect of the canyon- I went proper and was glad I did as a result of it had higher views.

Lastly, I drove one other 90 minutes to Borgarfjörður- an exquisite campsite proper on the East coast which is simply £8pppn!

Vanlife Iceland
Waterfall

From right here, I’m heading anti-clockwise, so working my means west alongside the northern a part of Iceland.