I spent 4 days exploring the unimaginable SE and E of Iceland in my motorhome. Right here’s my day-to-day vanlife in Iceland diary so you may observe alongside.
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Day 1 of Vanlife Iceland
The ferry arrived in Seydisfjordur at round 09.30 and I used to be pleasantly shocked to see numerous blue skies and sunshine. I began as I imply to continue- by stopping on the Netto to purchase recent meals (you’re not allowed to deliver recent meals into Iceland), plus a caramel doughnut.
This was swiftly adopted by the unintentional discovery of Iceland’s worm (cousin to the Loch Ness Monster apparently) and an excellent larger unintentional introduction to the notorious Icelandic gravel roads…
In reply to the query I had earlier than I arrived: sure, a 2WD motorhome can get down a gravel street, however I don’t advocate it to your coronary heart well being. Not simply because gravel roads will not be enjoyable to drive, however as a result of the Icelanders drive loopy quick down them!
I spent the evening at a Viking Cafe, which was round £12pppn and had each implausible views and waffles!
Days 2 & 3 of motorhoming in Iceland
Day 2 began early. The discuss I attended about Iceland on the ferry over mentioned one of the simplest ways to cope with fixed daylight is to get right into a rhythm and follow it. In addition they advised getting up early to do probably the most touristy issues, so you may see every little thing earlier than the tour buses arrive.
Due to this fact, I booked myself onto the very first rib boat tour of the day on the Glacier Lagoon. Excitedly, I awoke at 6am… and located myself in thick fog. It was, as we might say in Jersey, a correct peasouper. Nonetheless, as I drove in direction of the Lagoon parking, the fog appeared to hug the coast, however not go too far inland, which means after I rounded a nook I had the jaw-dropping expertise of seeing the glacier proper in entrance of me.
It’s arduous to place it into phrases in case you’ve by no means seen a glacier earlier than. The sheer scale of it’s huge, and the great thing about this explicit one set towards the mountains and sea is particularly breathtaking. After which I rounded one other nook and noticed the Glacier Lagoon with all its icebergs. I’ll be sincere, I nearly got here to an entire cease within the street. It’s STUNNING. The solar was low and made the ice sparkle and the water was so still- it was unimaginable.
I managed to get the drone up earlier than the tour, which was implausible. My suggestion is certainly to do the rib boats reasonably than the massive yellow ducks- you’ll get a lot additional into the lagoon and nearer to the glacier. We even noticed a seal sunbathing on an iceberg. 🙂 Afterwards, I handled myself to presumably the world’s costliest crepe (£12.50 for ham and cheese!)- however it was scrumptious and warming after the chilly wind on the rib.
I headed again anti-clockwise, stopping at one other beautiful campsite with views over the ocean and mountains- simply £12 for the evening. Actually, I appreciated this one a lot that I made a decision to remain right here one other day to chill out and have a day of not driving- essential once you’re doing lengthy journeys.
Day 4 of vanlife in Iceland
In the present day’s mission- discover a sea geysir and two waterfalls.
Though the day began in mist and low cloud, it cleared up shortly. The NE nook is named ‘Majorca’ by the Icelanders as a result of it’s typically sunny right here – that’s definitely been my expertise. The ocean geysir was a bust. After strolling right down to the spot and ready for 20 minutes, I concluded the ocean was both too calm to make it go off, or it solely goes off very occasionally. Both means, I moved on to discover a waterfall you could possibly stroll behind.
This was very almost a bust too. It’s known as Gilsarfoss and there aren’t any indicators aside from a tiny handmade one… which I missed. The issue with lacking this signal is I discovered myself on a really slender gravel coastal street. Turning the motorhome round was not possible for a number of miles- and even after I managed it, it was very dodgy (and the drop was steep as I reversed in direction of it!) I nearly didn’t hassle to return.
However I’m so glad I made the trouble. This waterfall was great. A few 10-minute hike to a crystal clear pool, and you could possibly stroll behind the falls. I want I’d purchased a picnic and my swim gear to benefit from the place longer- there wasn’t anybody else round the entire time I used to be there.
On my strategy to the following cease, I handed one other superior spot. Proper on the primary street, it’s subsequent to a waterfall whose title stays unknown, however was a stunning view for lunch.
Finally made it to Hengifoss, one among Iceland’s tallest waterfalls- and it didn’t disappoint. The hike just isn’t notably lengthy, however STEEP. You could possibly select the left or proper aspect of the canyon- I went proper and was glad I did as a result of it had higher views.
Lastly, I drove one other 90 minutes to Borgarfjörður- an exquisite campsite proper on the East coast which is simply £8pppn!
From right here, I’m heading anti-clockwise, so working my means west alongside the northern a part of Iceland. Verify again for extra updates quickly!
