Road trip overview and facts
Trip around Keflavik area
Short summary:
The sights in zone 1 can be easily visited within one day. For quick access to each section, click on the links below:
The sights in zone 1 can be easily visited within one day. For quick access to each section, click on the links below:
First stop in Zone 1
Bridge between continents
Location: HERE
Islandic name: Miðlína or Brú milli heimsálfa
Have you ever walked from one continent to another? The Icelandic island is located right where the North-American and Eurasian continental plates meet. In fact, about 1/3 of Iceland is on the North-American plate and as you travel across the country, you often cross from one continent to the other without even noticing.
There is a medium-sized parking lot nearby, which might be a little too small during the busy summer months but as most people don’t stay here very long, there’s still a good chance to park your car.
Click on the pictures for higher resolution:
In this special place, you can see the gap between the continental plates very well. As the plates drift a little further apart every year, the rift between them gets bigger and bigger over time. You can cross over from the European to the North-American site on a bridge. You can also climb down and hike along the rift between the plates. The landscape here almost feels like walking on the moon – lots of rocks and black volcanic sand, no plants except for a some yellow grass which gives a very nice contrast with the black sand. Great place to take pictures and definitely a must-see!
Second stop in Zone 1 of Iceland round trip
Gunnuhver geothermal area
Location: HERE
Islandic name: Gunnuhver
This area is a nice spot to get an impression of the sheer power of geothermal energy. It is quite a small spot with one mayor highlight: a big stream of steam coming out of the ground sideways. Depending on the wind on the day of your visit (there is almost always wind), the steam can be 100-200m long.
Click for high resolution picture.
You can walk around a bit further on the wooden bridge and graveled paths to see some smaller geothermal activity as well.
To get to this spot, you will need to leave the main road and drive on a gravel track for the last about 1km. Still easily accessible without a 4x4 car.
Although there are much bigger geothermal areas in Iceland, this is definitely worth a visit.
Third stop in Zone 1 of Iceland round trip
Krysuvik goethermal area
Location: HERE
Islandic name: Krýsuvík
Krysuvik is the main geothermal attraction in the south of Iceland. There is an even bigger geothermal site in the north (Myvatn – see Area C) but Krysuvik is pretty impressive as well.
Again, there is a big parking lot very conveniently located directly on site. From there, you enter a wooden path that takes you through steaming hot springs and boiling mud. To discover everything, you will have to hike up a few stairs and will be rewarded with a great view over the area from up there. The whole visit only takes about 30 minutes. You will notice a slight smell of sulfur so if you are very sensitive to this, you might want to bring a nose clip.
There are also toilets at the parking lot, however they were already closed for the upcoming winter season when we were there in late October.
Fourth stop in Zone 1 of Iceland round trip
Blue lagoon
Location: HERE
Islandic name: Bláa lónið
Arrival: Unfortunately we needed to cancel this stop on short notice. You will hear mixed reviews from visitors: On one hand it is a really good spa experience and worth to do it. On the other hand you also hear it is overcrowded with tourists who are only doing a 3 day trip as a stopover to and from the US. On all you need to consider quite high price which are at around 60 USD / 60 EUR each person!
We have not been there so therefore I recommend the video below to get an idea about the Blue Lagoon swimming and spa location: Unfortunately, we needed to cancel this stop on short notice. You will hear mixed reviews from visitors: On the one hand it is a really unique spa experience and worth to do it. On the other hand you also hear it is overcrowded with tourists. Also considering the quite high price of around 60 USD / 60 EUR per person, we still have mixed feelings about it. If you travel further around the country, there are other options for spa hot springs that might be an alternative for you (Check out Sky Lagoon).
We have not been there so therefore we recommend the video below to get an idea about the Blue Lagoon swimming and spa location: