Vatnajökull National Park : Svartifoss > Skeiðará Bridge Monument > Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon > Viking Park > Vík

We enjoyed another hearty breakfast at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon before setting off for our next destination. The weather was on our side, clear skies and bright sunshine, a perfect start to the day.

Our first stop was Vatnajökull National Park to visit the stunning Svartifoss. Though only 20 meters tall, this waterfall is renowned for the dramatic basalt columns that frame it, giving it a striking, almost otherworldly appearance. The dark basalt formations inspired its name, which means “Black Falls.”

The hike to Svartifoss starts at the visitor center and follows a gradual uphill trail, covering 1.5 km one way (3 km round-trip). It’s an easy and enjoyable walk, typically taking around 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. In early October, the trees lining the path were painted in vibrant autumn hues, adding a warm contrast to the rugged landscape. Midway through the hike, we came across Hundafoss, a picturesque waterfall with a designated viewing platform offering a fantastic vantage point. With breathtaking scenery, crisp mountain air, and unique plant life along the way, the entire hike was a memorable and rewarding experience.

Skeiðará Bridge Monument In November 1996, a volcanic eruption beneath the Vatnajökull glacier triggered a massive glacial flood, known as a jökulhlaup. Within just 15 hours, the floodwaters rose rapidly, reaching a peak flow rate of 50,000 cubic meters per second. Enormous blocks of ice were swept away, devastating everything in their path, including roads and bridges.

One of the most significant casualties was the Skeiðará Bridge, which once spanned the vast sandflat. The sheer force of the floodwaters tore it apart, leaving behind only twisted steel beams now preserved at the original site as a monument to the immense power of nature. These remains serve as a stark reminder of Iceland everchanging landscape and the raw, unpredictable force of its natural elements.

Systrakaffi is another hidden gem, tucked away just off Route 1 in the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. This cozy restaurant delighted us with its fresh and delicious food, making it a perfect stop for a relaxing lunch. The portions were generous, and everything we ordered was flavorful and satisfying, so much so that we ended up with more than we could finish. In the end, we had to take our leftover pizza to go, but that just meant we had an extra treat for later.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is another breathtaking natural wonder, a hidden gem that gained worldwide fame after featuring in a Justin Bieber music video. This stunning canyon stretches approximately 2km in length and reaches depths of up to 100m, with the Fjaðrá River winding through its base. Formed over millions of years by glacial meltwater erosion, the softer rocks gradually wore away, revealing intricate layers of sediment. The canyon bedrock is primarily composed of palagonite, and its steep rock formations are draped in lush green moss, giving it a fairytale charm.

We visited in the afternoon on a bright, sunny day. The walking trail offered spectacular views of the canyon from various angles, though at times, the sunlight was a bit too harsh, making some perspectives challenging to capture. Despite this, the scenery remained absolutely mesmerizing. The best vantage points are undoubtedly from above, where a drone can truly showcase the canyon’s dramatic beauty as it winds through the landscape.

At Viking Park in Iceland, visitors can explore a replica of the Viking ship Örninn, which translates to “The Eagle.” The ship was originally donated by Norway to the city of Reykjavík in 1974 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Iceland’s settlement. The Örninn is a meticulously crafted replica, reflecting the design and craftsmanship of traditional Viking ships. Its presence in Viking Park provides visitors with an immersive experience into Viking maritime history, allowing them to appreciate the engineering skills and adventurous spirit of the Norse explorers.

Another fascinating stop in Viking Park is Gígjagjá Cave, more popularly known as Yoda Cave due to the unique shape of its entrance, which resembles the silhouette of Yoda from the Star Wars series. Stepping inside the cave and looking back out through the entrance, the resemblance becomes even more striking. Facing the sea, the cave is set against the vast black sand beach, where strong winds can be relentless. At times, the wind sweeps across the landscape with such force that it lifts fine grains of sand into the air, stinging our faces, a sensation that truly feels like an experience unique to Iceland. Even while sitting inside the car, we could hear the sand pelting against the vehicle, carried by the powerful gusts. Since Gígjagjá is still relatively unknown, it remains a quiet and uncrowded spot, adding to the raw, untouched beauty of the place. After exploring the cave, we took a walk along the black sand beach, immersing ourselves in the wild and untamed nature of Iceland but with extra caution, as the unpredictable winds and rough conditions demand respect.

Before reaching Iceland southernmost town, we took a short detour to visit the highly rated Skool Bean Café, a quirky and charming café set inside a retro school bus. With its rustic interior, cozy ambiance, and warm hospitality, the café offered a truly unique experience. We decided to try their thick hot chocolate, which was rich, creamy, and absolutely perfect for the chilly weather. Sipping on the warm drink inside the nostalgic setting of the school bus made for a delightful and memorable stop on our journey.

Vík í Mýrdal, or simply Vík, is the southernmost town in Iceland and a popular stop for travelers. It serves as a convenient place to rest, stock up on supplies, and even spend the night before continuing the journey. Despite its small size, Vík is well-known for its stunning natural surroundings.

A must do in Vík is to drive up to the hilltop for the iconic photo spot : The Church of Vík with the breathtaking backdrop of the town, coastline, and the famous Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean. The view from above is nothing short of spectacular, making it a perfect spot to soak in the beauty of Iceland’s south coast.

We checked into Hotel Katla by Keahotels, a charming countryside hotel just a short drive from Vik. Surrounded by Iceland rugged landscapes, the hotel offers cozy rooms, a relaxing hot tub, and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day on the road. For dinner, we kept it simple with the leftover pizza from lunch, still just as delicious. It was a quiet and relaxing way to end the day, recharging for the adventures ahead.

From some Facebook posts, it seemed like we had a good chance to witness the northern lights again tonight. At the hotel car park, we could see the clouds shifting in, threatening to block our view of the northern lights. Not wanting to miss the chance, we decided to drive out in search of clearer skies. Based on recommendations from Facebook posts, we headed toward Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, known as one of the best northern lights viewing spots near Vik. Not long into our drive, I peeked out from the car window and there it was. The aurora had already begun to fill the sky. Before we even reached our destination, we made an impromptu stop at a roadside rest area, and what we witnessed was beyond words. The northern lights were stronger, brighter, and more expansive than anything we had seen before, dancing across the sky in mesmerizing waves. It was a jaw-dropping, eye-opening spectacle, and we were so grateful we had stopped right there instead of driving further. This was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable aurora displays of our trip.

Overnight at Hotel Katla by Keahotels