The East Fjords are a little known region, we often stop before, at the Jokulsarlon on route 1, where you can experience these places in a short amount of time. However, the view of the fjords can be amazing, and some places deserve that you take the time to discover them.

Between sea and mountains: the East Fjords 

Grimsey is a small Icelandic island situated about 25 miles north of Iceland and the arctic polar circle runs through it. The spot is also ideal for watching bird colonies.

Crossing over the arctic circle on Grimsey island

Only open when the centre of the country is no longer under snow, Route F35 is one of the most legendary in Iceland: rocky and wild, it winds its way through the most desolate and mountainous regions of the island. An exceptional road trip of discovery during the summer months!

On the F35

The peninsula of Snæfellsnes, made famous by Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth, contains most of Iceland's magnificent landscapes and is just a few hours' drive from the capital. In one day—or two, if you have the time—, you can discover superb panoramic views and various natural places of interest.

A day on the peninsula of Snæfellsnes

Skaftafell

Hekla

Gullfoss

When you leave Vik in the direction of Jokulsarlon, you pass through this expanse of lava desert that stretches as far as the eye can see with the glaciers in the background, a rare landscape in Iceland.

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Heading east out of Vik you almost immediately begin a long desert crossing - the Myrdalssandur is indeed a desert of lava stone, the result of the vagaries of Katla volcano. In fact, the further east you go the less inhabited the area becomes, because it is regularly victim to floods.  The first time I crossed Myrdalssandur, I didn't necessarily realise that all the lava stones around me had been spewed by the volcano.  The place is surprisingly empty and, of course, there is no human presence - who would want to live in a place where the volcanoes belch their rocks and where the waters destroy everything in their path!  If you want to stretch your legs and don't want to settle for a photo stop by the roadside, try to go to Hjörleifshöfdi, just outside Vik. It's the only hill of any size that offers a view of the coast. By continuing almost straight ahead toward the ocean you will arrive at Kötlutangi, the most southerly point of the island.

When you leave Vik in the direction of Jokulsarlon, you pass through this expanse of lava desert that stretches as far as the eye can see with the glaciers in the background, <a href="/iceland/">a rare landscape in Iceland.</a>

Mýrdalssandur Holidays

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Mýrdalssandur: See when to go?

Mýrdalssandur: For how long?

Mýrdalssandur: What to see nearby?

Iceland: our articles for your holidays