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8 Must See South Coast Stops in Iceland
Ever wonder why there are so many south coast day tours in Iceland? There are so many beautiful locations to stop at, one day probably isn’t even enough. No matter how many times I visit these special locations, even if they are flooded with tourists, I am still overcome with child-like excitement at how insane each location is. Of course you can book a tour or a mini-bus but in my opinion, nothing ruins exploring a surreal location like a tour guide whistling for you to get back onto the bus. I highly recommend renting a car and driving around yourself. I will write a blog about renting cars in Iceland but for now you will just have to take my word that it is very easy.
A south coast tour is an all day affair, so get ready for one of the best days on your vacation to Iceland. Depending on what time of year you travel to Iceland, you may have to cut down your visiting time at each location to pack it all in. I promise if you wake up early, you can fit it so much no matter what month you visit! It may put you at ease to allow for more exploration to split this up over two days but I have done it all in one day countless times! Put on your boots and grab all your layers, you’re going to need them, Iceland’s weather can change every five minutes and you will definitely be getting wet at some of the stops!
Seljandsfoss
Distance from Reykjavik: 1 hr 45 min
Seljandsfoss is an absolutely epic waterfall. You can even walk behind it, but if you can get pretty wet so dress accordingly. I recommend wearing rain pants if you want to walk behind it (hint: you definitely do). If you forget to pack your waterproof gear, you can save this stop for the way back to the city. There is a trail that goes all the way around the waterfall offering views from every angle. Depending on the temperature from the past few days this part might be closed off due to ice but that’s not guaranteed in the wintertime.
2. Gljúfrabúi
If you are facing the waterfall, follow the path to the left to Gljúfrabúi. It’s hidden in a small canyon so you won’t see it until you’re there. It’s a 5 - 10 minute walk from Seljandsfoss. You can enter the canyon by walking on rocks into the cave to see the waterfall. You will definitely get wet because this waterfall is so powerful but it’s super cool and 100% worth the risk of getting your feet a little wet.
3. Nauthúsagil
Distance from Seljandsfoss: 10 minutes
Instead of heading back to the ring road when exiting the Seljandsfoss parking lot, take a right and drive over the bridge. Keep driving until the road turns unpaved. Your map may tell you this is an F-Road and your vehicle cannot drive on it but the short distance to this stop and manageable in any car. You’ll drive no more than 10 minutes until you see a tiny sign that says Nauthúsagil on the right. After you turn onto this road, there is a small stream. You might have to park closer to the road and walk down the rest of it depending on what kind of car you have and how big or frozen the stream is. But once you get to the canyon (3 minute walk from the road) you walk into the canyon and follow the river. Do not follow the path up the mountain. It might seem a little sketchy but it has a pig payoff! You’ll have to cross the river a few times so you’ll want your boots for this one too. Some parts offer a rope and chains to help get you by but the journey is super cool! Spoiler alert: there are three waterfalls in total so don’t turn around after you’ve seen the first one. Depending on the temperature, the rocks might be frozen and very slippery making it difficult to traverse, but I would still check it out if I were you. The best part about this one is that there will probably be no one there because big tour buses do not visit this location.
4. Seljavallalaug
Distance from Seljalandsfoss: 25 minutes
From Seljandfoss, continue along the Ring Road. About 20 minutes down turn LEFT on 242. Drive until you see a sign that says Seljavellir and follow that road to the car park. From the car park, walk the path for about 15-20 min towards the bottom of the valley. You won’t see the pool until you get to it, so if you think you’re going the wrong way just keep going. It’s a pretty easy walk, nothing extreme. This is the oldest pool in Iceland, it’s filled from a natural hot spring, so take a dip!
5. Skógafoss
Distance from Seljandsfoss: 25 minutes
Skógafoss is the giant iconic waterfall that you must see. This waterfall is one of the biggest in Iceland and will blow your mind! There will probably be lots of other tourists but for a good reason, this stop is unbelievable. There is a staircase that will bring you to an observation deck at the top. It’s a long climb but the views of the south coast are absolutely worth it! A hiking trail continues 15 miles to Thorsmork so you can save it for another day. The beginning of the trail passes many beautiful waterfalls so it would be worth your time to stretch your legs here and explore a bit of the path if you have the extra time.
6. Kvernufoss
Distance from Skógafoss: 2 minutes
After Skógafoss, follow the signs for the Skóga Museum instead of turning out to the Ring Road. When turning into the museum, drive straight all the way to the warehouse behind it. Park your car where the parking lot ends. Follow the path behind the warehouse, hop over the fence and it’s about a 10 minute walk to this secret waterfall. Everyone I bring here has told me it’s their favorite waterfall of the day so you won’t want to skip it. You’ll start to see it on the walk and the path continues right up and behind the waterfall! This is a lesser known waterfall so it won’t be plagued with tourists like some of the other ones.
7. Sólheimajökull Glacier
Distance from Skógafoss: 20 minutes
If you have never seen a glacier before, you shouldn’t skip this stop! The glacier is easily accessible and what makes it unique is the volcanic ash covering parts of it, making it super dramatic. It is possible to walk along the glacier lake on the path from the parking lot all the way to the end of the glacier. The views along the walk and drive in are pretty epic. Please remember to not hike onto the glacier without proper equipment and a trained guide, the ice is a very dangerous place to be if you are not fully equipped.
8. Reynisfjara Black Beach
Distance from Sólheimajökull: 25 minutes
This is one of the most beautiful beaches, the pitch black sand and the mysterious Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks makes this place extra dramatic. On the beach there is a giant Basalt Columns cliff wall which is super photogenic, also there is a Basalt Column cave you can go into. Reminder to use extreme caution because the waves on this beach are incredibly sneaky and wash way up even when you think they won’t and often take people out to sea. Please stay away from the waves and be smart!
There you have it! A full day tour of the South Coast gems in Iceland. I recommend packing a lunch and lots of car snacks because there aren’t many options along the way. This day is really packed full of activity and driving so feel free to adjust your stops to your needs. If you need to cut it short because of daylight I would suggest cutting your trip down to these stops: Seljandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, Skogafoss and Kvernufoss, and the black sand beach.
My ideas and opinions in this post are entirely my own. I am hoping to help make your experience in Iceland as wonderful as mine! I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know what you think or if you have any questions!
Choosing Local Guide
Blue Diamond Ice Cave - Oct 2019
It can be daunting to approach the long chain of glacier guiding trailers in the Jokulsarlon parking lot. In the line of super jeeps, the scene can be quite intimidating, but tucked on the very end is the meeting spot for Local Guide. Stepping inside the black truck, you’ll find all the standard glacier hiking gear: a wall covered with every sized boot imaginable, extra waterproof clothing, harnesses, crampons, and micro-spikes. You’ll also find homemade seat cushions made from old climbing rope, hand woven by a local guide. There is always a guide waiting in the van, ready with glacial trivia or take you up on the glacier if you’ve arrived early.
These local guides are exactly as advertised, home grown professional glacier guides, experts in the area around Vatnajokull. These guides are the true heroes of the glaciers. Not only do they spend all fall scouting for the next season’s ice caves but once they find them, they work hard to groom them safe for public tours. Throughout the season, they continue to maintain the cave sites, even in the harsh Icelandic winters.
Ice caves are formed when water runs through the glacier forming caverns or tunnels in the ice. When it rains or snows, the caves fill back up, making it dangerous to visit. When the guides of local guide are not showing off their ice caves, they spend countless hours tunneling new passageways for the water to drain, keeping their ice caves from washing away or filling with water. This is no easy task, after a big storm, it takes a perverse love for shoveling to keep their caves useable.
On their off days, a group of Local Guides can be found practicing rescue techniques and staying up to date with new gear and equipment. They spend their off days exploring and practicing on nearby glaciers. These guides live and breathe adventure and are the most honorable guides in the area. You won’t find any seasonal workers living for an off-season. In the summertime they offer hiking and climbing tours when the ice caves have melted away. They are just as stoked to explore the glacier terrain as any first time guest.
The journey to the ice caves begins with your Local Guide sizing you up with micro-spikes and piling into one of their super jeeps. The souped up trucks are equipped to handle any glacial terrain and the guides are knowledgeable in what makes each truck tick. As the glaciers are retreating further every year, the drive towards the base of the glacier in turn grows longer. The drive through the glacier grave yard is bumpy and windy as the jeep drives over old moraines and dead ice. Your local guide will fill you with all their glacier knowledge and you’ll learn things you never know you didn’t know! These guides are excited about the glaciers and won’t hold back on all the fun facts during the drive.
Once you arrive at the ice caves, they generally speak for themselves in beauty but the guides are right there to show you the best angles and lighting for your glacial memories. The ice caves are constantly changing with the wind and light so you’ll never get the same photo as anyone else. Local Guide does their best to time your tour just right so that you don’t meet another group inside the caves. This makes the tour much more intimate as it is just you and your local guide.
No guide is ever in a bad mood and it can be traced back to their loyalty to the company. It’s extremely hard to get a job with Local Guide because their employment retention is so high. Once a Local Guide, always a Local Guide. The owners, Aron and Helen are highly respected by their guides and employee happiness is high! Just last year, their end of-the-season staff trip included a surprise 3 day trip that started at the KEF airport. They didn’t know where they were headed until they were given their boarding passes! Talk about staff bonding!
The guides are housed in mini cabins built on the owners property and everyone has their own space. Though the guides spend all day everyday together, in the evenings they can often be found in Aron and Helen’s home making dinner together by combining all their food. The owners have the best interest of their guides in mind. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think they were all best friends who live for glacier adventures. They are more than just coworkers, they are a family. Aron and Helen are trusted through and through, and no one ever questions their business decisions. Local Guide is the purest form of a family-run business.
If you are looking for honest, genuine guides to visit ice caves on your visit to Iceland, Local Guide is the way to go! You won’t get a more authentic experience on the glaciers because the Local Guides want to be there just as much as you do! With childlike energy, they continue to explore and create unique experiences on the glaciers to share with their visitors!
Book your Ice Cave Tour here
