8 ideas of circuits and self-tours in Iceland, summer or winter

Are you dreaming of volcanoes, hot water sources, glaciers and a very tempered nature? Direction la Terre de Glace and our selection of cartours in Iceland!

Iceland is a 400 million year old story. An isolated, free and promised land where nature is queen and its king element. It is also the portrait of a full geological show that makes the country undeniably unique in its kind. Dressed with land and fire, Iceland captures, surprises and marvels all who meet them.

Today, we invite you to discover this Earth of Glace otherwise, at the wheel of freedom. Are you ready? Then fasten your belt, we'll take the road for a memorable journey.

1. The Golden Circle

Ah the Cercle d’Or... Uncontournable, this is an emblematic stage of the cartours in Iceland. He can be in a day since. Reykjavik .

Start with the Thingvellir fault, also the seat of the first Icelandic parliament, and then get rid of the Strokkur geyser in the middle of the smokers. The last star of the Golden Circle: the Gulfoss Falls and their tremendous power. Finish beautifully with a bath in thermal waters and take the road back to Fludir and its Lagon Secret.

2. Reykjanes Peninsula

From Keflavik, you go to Gardur to the north. Here, to you the lighthouses, typical churches, and pretty white sand beaches. Birds, seals, dolphins and perhaps whales invite you to become acquainted with local wildlife.

A little further south, take a hike to the cliffs of Hafnaberg. You will reach the bridge between Continents that passes above the legendary fault! Further on, Gunnuhver’s impressive Smoking is attracting attention. And if you're going to get back to the famous Lagon Bleu Or eat a lobster soup in Grindavik? Go back to Route 42 at Krysavik and take a sulphurous air bowl at the Seltún geothermal site.

3. The Snæfellsnes peninsula

Take the time visit Reykjavík , a must-see in Iceland! Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church in its traditional city centre, recognizable from a distance with its architecture reminiscent of Iceland’s basaltic organs.

From there you will be able to make your next loop, the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is known for its numerous cascades: Grundarfoss, Kerlingarfoss and Kirkjufellsfoss. Don't miss the fabulous Snæfellsjökull glacier-volcano. At the end, try the ascent of the Saxholl crater and go looking for the macarous along the Londrangar cliffs.

4. The West Fjords

With the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the West Fjord region is the first to have been carved by volcanic eruptions. Because of its isolation, the Westfjord keeps a very wild character. It is a true paradise for ornithologists, with more than twenty-five species of birds listed. Small winding roads keep you surprised at each turn out and they are numerous! And because of this, the autotours in Iceland draw here the contours of two of the three regions, delimited by a multitude of fjords. The third is to be discovered during a long hike.

5. South Iceland

In a week, you can make a South Island loop. The latter begins with the Golden Circle and ends in the Reykjanes Peninsula.

After Gulfoss, discover the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano which is also a... glacier! Then, towards the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, at the gates of the Vatnajökull National Park. Then come back on your steps to go to the conquest of the Reykjanes peninsula.

6. The National Park of Vatnajökull

Ideal for trips to Iceland in winter, the one to the Vatnajökull Park is done in three days.

Along the beaches of black sand along the south coast, then visit an ice cave on one of the glaciers. Think about the ice lagoon Jökulsárlón, the favourite of explorers. In the evening, go hunting for boreal aurora, frequent in this region.

7. The Eastern Fjords

This circuit takes place between Höfn and Egilsstaðir or the opposite. The two cities are equipped with an airport, and it is easy to reach them from the capital as part of a road trip to Iceland.

During your tour, you will hardly cross tourists! So you can enjoy the beauty of a good ten fjords. Among them, Fáskrúðsfjörður, a souvenir of the 19th century French fishermen who had installed their base there. Small feature: it has bilingual Icelandic/French panels.

8. Northern Iceland

Head north to reach Akureyri. You can take Route 1, which will go to Viðimyri and its charming church with peat roof. A little further, Akureyri is nestled a hollow of a fjord. From here, or Dalvik, about forty kilometers north, you will be able to go on expedition for observe whales Blue or bumpy. Continue your North Iceland cartour to the Mývatn volcanic lake. Choose a hike in this region of hot springs and mud boilers and finish the day at the thermal complex.

Depending on the time you have, these different cars in Iceland can be combined with each other. By coaching them, you choose a complete circuit around and inside the island.

How to book a cartour in Iceland?

Where to get my rental car?

The vast majority of international flights to Iceland arrive at Keflavik Airport, approximately 50 kilometres from the capital, Reykjavik. From France, it will be a little over three hours of flight and, from Montreal, about five hours.

Depending on your arrival time, you will be able to pick up your rental vehicle in the agency of your choice. For practicality, we advise you to get closer to an agency close to the airport. A simple but also economic way to evolve from the moment you arrive freely. If, on the other hand, you pass through an agency specializing in cartours in Iceland, it is very likely that you have to move to Reykjavik. In this case, make sure to book your bus trips to the capital.

Book your vehicle for a cartour in Iceland

Which vehicle choose for a cartour in Iceland?

Depending on the season and the circuit you have planned, you will have the choice between citadine, 4×4 or motorhome .

• The city centre will allow you to make the tour of the island, on mostly asphalted roads;
• The camper will invite you to stay in unusual places;
• The 4×4 will allow you to access more difficult tracks, giving you access to remote and wild corners.