Iceland 4

Fourth day brought the sunniest weather of our week-long trip. We enjoyed a great hike before taking on a long, scenic drive further east along the Ring Road toward the coastal town.

Aug. 10, 2026

🚗Rental car: Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive
Vik Camping – Reynisfjara – Dyrhólaey – Hvolsvöllur – Milk Factory, Höfn: 6hr 51min, 475km

🚌Highland Bus:
Hvolsvöllur – Volcano Huts – Básar – Hvolsvöllur: 3hr 12min, 60km

🥾Hiking:
Kirkjufjara – Dyrhólaey – Þórsmörk: 4hr 12min, 6.5km

Waking up early, we went straight to Reynisfjara Beach, greeted by dramatic basalt cliffs rising majestic against the crashing morning waves.

Nestled high along the basalt cliffs, dozens of puffins roosted in the rock crevices—widely loved as Iceland’s cutest animals, with their colorful beaks and charming, waddling charm.

Using the same parking area, we walked up to Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, taking in the grand, breathtaking view of the endless black sand beach stretching far out to the west.

The free toilet at Reynisfjara Beach features floor-to-ceiling glass walls that frame breathtaking views of the ocean and towering basalt cliffs. If Iceland had a ranking for best restrooms, this one easily takes top spot.

Next, we took a highland bus into Þórsmörk to safely navigate the deep, unpredictable river crossings—routes that our Tesla Model Y couldn’t possibly manage.

Sheltered between three massive glaciers, Þórsmörk is a lush highland valley known as “Thor’s Woods.”

Renowned for its vibrant birch forests, dramatic canyons, and premier hiking trails, it offers an exceptionally green oasis framed by rugged, ice-capped peaks.

Crossing Þórsmörk’s fierce, unbridged glacial rivers requires modified super-jeeps or highland buses. These unpredictable, deep waters easily sweep away standard rental SUVs, making professional transit essential.

Valahnúkur is a iconic, accessible peak in Þórsmörk offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views. A short, steep trail leads up to its summit, where hikers are rewarded with sweeping perspectives over glacial rivers, lush valleys, and surrounding ice caps.

This scenic trail connects two major Þórsmörk campsites via lush birch forests and braided riverbeds.

Hikers cross the formidable Krossá River using a mobile wheeled footbridge, enjoying sweeping views of surrounding glaciers and green valley peaks along the way.

Leaving Þórsmörk behind, we drove east along the Ring Road toward Höfn, stopping along the way to enjoy a quick, satisfying lunch at a local gas station.

Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is the ultimate 1,332-kilometer national circuit.

The floating ice in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon comes from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, drifting peacefully out to sea. Glowing in deep electric blue, brilliant white, and dark volcanic ash streaks, these icebergs flip, melt, and slowly drift toward Diamond Beach.

The South Coast of the Ring Road transitions dramatically from lush green farmland under looming glacier-volcanoes to vast black sand desert plains, towering sea cliffs, and floating icebergs in glacial lagoons.

By the time we arrived in Höfn, the sun had already set. Even with August’s long daylight hours running from 4:00 to 20:00, the 4th day’s journey had finally come to an end.

Milk Factory in Höfn offers spotless, modern rooms set. While the accommodations are exceptionally clean and comfortable, nightly rates reach around 40,000 JPY.