Epic.

I've hiked hundreds of trails in my lifetime. In my 13 days in Iceland I managed to add another 15 or so to the tally. There are a few… VERY few… anywhere… that ticked every box for me like Sveinstindur did. Physically challenging, technical, easy to navigate, solitude, doable within a couple hours. And most importantly the ultimate reward for your effort: 360°views including the deep blues of Langisjór, the white monster of Vatnajökull, the blacks and greens of the Laki craters, and the rugged peaks of Landmannalaugar and beyond. The hike itself was only 2 hours, but I could have stayed at the summit for much, much more.

Sure it was short - only 2.3mi / 3.6km round trip - but with about 1400ft / 425m elevation gain and delicate footing, it required the effort and technical skills to get the heart pounding and the mind sharpened. With steep drop-offs, one should tread carefully both up and down, and I really can't imagine doing this comfortably without trekking poles… I surely wouldn't have stayed upright the whole time. Conditions matter a LOT here - I had the fortune of the clouds breaking just as I came to the F235 / F208 intersection, and by the time I hit the trail head, I couldn't have asked for better conditions.

Obviously there's many more trails in Iceland I have not (yet) had the privilege to hike, so I'm curious how others feel on where Sveinstindur ranks.

Just got back and had a fantastic trip. Stunning scenery - efficient country and all around a great time. But I can’t help reflect on the outlook for Iceland. The tourists are coming in their masses - walking around Reykjavik you see mostly tourists.
2.2 million of us a year - probably 75% coming in the summer months. We skipped the golden triangle to avoud the tourists spots close to Reykjavik. The prices are insane. Numerous flights from all manner of destinations all over the world bringing hoards of tourists. The government was very smart to tap into tourism 15 yrs ago .. but I can’t help wonder where it will end. There are many fabulous countries that have stunning landscapes… Iceland really has done an amazing job on PR. Not sure if my post resonates with others who have visited recently.

Lindu BUFF!?

I liked chocolate with licorice before I came here - actually thought I’d created the combo ;-p so I get why people who haven’t had it would love this new experience.

Chocolate with rice, wafers and chocolate - all the favorites: Hraun, Þristur, Rís, Kropp, Bingo, etc. These get all the love. What about Lindu BUFF!? It’s so crappy-good. What gives?

ETA - what I mean is that Lindu BUFF are sooo good but no one ever talks about them. More for me! :-D

I just got back from 10 days driving the ring road. Iceland is absolutely the most beautiful country I've ever visited! I saw so many amazing once in a lifetime things packed into 10 days and I'm still in awe about everything! I hope to be back soon to see even more! I love you Iceland! Thank you for a memory I will remember for the rest of my life! These are some of the good pics I took along the way.

We visited at the beginning of July for 10 days and did the Ring Road and had an amazing visit. It was a bit like visiting another planet. Truly incredible scenery at every turn!

We had called off our plan to do it on September 9 from Thorsmork after we complete the Laugavegur, but the hut says they are making a new path around. I'd like more information before setting out, though, because I'm not particularly interested in messing with an unstable glacier. I wonder if a hike up most of the way to the hut and back to Thorsmork would be a good alternative?

We visited Reynisfjara this afternoon (Aug 31) and there was a small cream-coloured dog running around the beach on his own. No collar that we could see. He was barking happily, very friendly, letting everyone pet him, and he clearly wasn't scared of people or the crowd.

He looked healthy and well fed, so our guess is that he belongs to one of the farms nearby and just wandered down for the day. We didn't want to interfere or take him anywhere, since we assumed he knows his way home.

Two questions for the locals:

Does anyone recognise him or know whose dog he is? Happy to send the photo I took.

Is this a normal thing in Iceland? Where we come from a loose dog usually means a lost dog, so we weren't sure whether we should have reported it to someone.

We're tourists from Brazil doing the Ring Road, so apologies if this is an obvious question. Just wanted to make sure he's okay.

I think I got too excited when I booked this trip, and now that it’s coming up this month, i think I made a mistake of booking the hotel for 7 nights in Reykjavik. I’ll be there from Sep 15-22. This is my first time going to Iceland, and I didn’t really know what to expect. So, I decided to book my trip as a package via Icelandair. I chose three tours (Golden Circle for Sep 17, South Coast Wonders for Sep 18 and Northern Lights). Now that I’m seeing it closely, I’m thinking what am I going to do for the other days in Reykjavik? Help please

Currently in Iceland. Heading to Snaefellness tomorrow for a 1 day of site seeing. Later in the trip will be doing selfoss to vik stuff.

For people who have been to both the above beaches, is there is big difference. Both worth checking out? Or are they very similar/see one see both kind of thing.

Thanks!

Also as an aside. Hvammsik nature preserve freaking rocks.

Heading over to my happy place for 4 days of unplanned adventure!!!! This van looks pretty cool for a sky gazing trip, have any of you booked this one?

If anyone has a festival pass for Iceland Airwaves and isn't using their Shygirl code for tickets - can I use it? I'm thinking of flying out for this show specifically.

Hello everyone, I’m coming to Iceland late November and I was thinking to go to Leiðarendi lava cave.

I’m a cave enthusiast but with no actual hard cave experience.

Do you think that it’s worth it or safe to visit without a guide?

If it’s icy is the road accessible with the car ?

Thank you!

Hi all, my partner and I are planning a ring road trip soon, and we’re trying to figure out expected grocery expenses. I know that eating out is expensive there, but we planned to cook most meals ourselves.

We had the idea to bring a small collapsible duffel full of food, check it one way and bring non-perishables (pasta, couscous, snacks, maybe tinned fish, etc). $75 check bag fee. Is this worth it? Or too much?

Any other tricks or hacks?

Hey Everyone!

Think we decided on doing a Silver Circle Tour for our trip next week. I searched and found some old posts but nothing too new on the subject. Does anyone have some “must dos” they recommend or on the other hand “skip if you don’t have time?” These are the things we have planned so far:

Into the Glacier (maybe an snowmobile too)
Lava Tubes
Reykholt and the horse farms
Barnafoss
Husafell Canyon Baths

Thanks!

Hi! Is anyone here studying or working at the University of Iceland, or perhaps knows someone there?
I’m a master’s student studying Ethics and Culture in Media Communication, and I’m looking for an opportunity to do a 3-week internship in Iceland related to media, journalism, photography, communication, media ethics or University media.
I’d be really grateful for any contacts, recommendations, or tips on who I could reach out to. Thanks! :)

Let me know if you think this will be too cramped:
* 2 men will be sitting upfront (both at 6'1"+), and in the 2nd row 2 women at 5'7" (thin, fit builds) and 1 man at 5'7" (stockier build)

Luggage will just be 5 small carry-ons (flying Icelandair economy light) and 5 backpacks

It might be a little tight, but wondering if it will be excessively cramped?

The Sportage has best-in-classs leg room but there will be some shoulder to shoulder rubbing given this model's width.

Have seen people comment in other groups on Facebook that a Sportage worked ok for their group of 5 adults.

Stick with this or get a Sorento?