Self-Launched Hiking Southern Iceland: Ring Road Waterfalls, Glaciers & Volcano Trails
6 days · Southern Iceland
G Adventures charges £2,200
No-markup version: ~£860 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 6-day southern Iceland hiking adventure following the same route as G Adventures' "Hiking Southern Iceland" — Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, Múlagljúfur Canyon, Mt. Laki and the Brennisteinsalda hot pool. Instead of a private minibus and guided group, you'll rent a shared car or use the public Strætó bus network, stay in hostels and guesthouses, and book glacier hikes directly with certified local operators. Iceland is expensive, so this is a budget-maximised but realistic version — expect roughly half the tour price for the same landscapes.
Day-by-day
Reykjavik arrival, Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
Reykjavik → Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Land at Keflavík and take the Flybus or Strætó bus 55 into Reykjavik (about £20-25). Pick up a pre-booked rental car in the city or at the airport if you're driving. Head east along the Ring Road to Seljalandsfoss, the 60m waterfall you can walk behind (bring waterproofs — you WILL get soaked). Continue a short hop to Skógafoss and hike the wooden staircase and trail up above the falls for your first proper intro hike. Push on east to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for the night. Self-cater or grab a cheap meal at the N1 station / local café.
🚌Flybus Keflavík–Reykjavik ~£22; rental car shared between 2-4 people (~£60-80/day total) or Strætó bus 51 east
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (e.g. Hörgsland or Klaustur Hostel), dorm ~£40-55
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall walk-behind
- →Skógafoss waterfall hike and upper trail
- →Ring Road scenic drive
Skaftafell, Svartifoss & glacier hike
Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Skaftafell → Hof
Drive east to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Join a certified glacier hike on Skaftafellsjökull or Falljökull — book direct with a local operator like Icelandic Mountain Guides, Arctic Adventures or Glacier Guides (roughly £85-120 for a 3-hour guided glacier walk, crampons and axe included). Afterwards, hike the easy trail from the Skaftafell Visitor Centre to Svartifoss (Black Falls), famous for its basalt column backdrop, then continue to the Sjónarnípa viewpoint for sweeping glacier views. Overnight in the Hof / Freysnes area.
🚌Self-drive ~1.5 hrs, or Strætó bus 51 to Skaftafell
🛏Guesthouse or hostel near Hof/Freysnes (e.g. Hof 1 or Hotel Skaftafell budget rooms), ~£45-65 shared
- →Guided Skaftafell glacier hike (book direct)
- →Svartifoss waterfall hike
- →Sjónarnípa viewpoint trail
Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach & Múlagljúfur Canyon
Hof → Jökulsárlón → Múlagljúfur → Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Morning at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — walk the shoreline watching icebergs drift to sea (seals often hauled out on the ice). Cross the road to Diamond Beach, where ice chunks glisten on the black sand, for an hour-long wander. Optionally pay for a zodiac or amphibian boat tour on the lagoon (~£40-70). Then head back west to Múlagljúfur Canyon for a 5km return hike to viewpoints over the canyon and its hidden waterfall — one of the best short hikes in the south. Return to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for the night.
🚌Self-drive ~3 hrs total driving; or Strætó bus 51 between stops
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, ~£40-55 dorm/private shared
- →Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon walk
- →Diamond Beach
- →Múlagljúfur Canyon 5km hike
- →Optional boat tour on the lagoon
Mt. Laki crater hike & Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Lakagígar area
Spend the morning hiking Fjaðrárgljúfur, a dramatic 2km moss-lined canyon with rim trails and viewpoints — free, easy and photogenic. Then tackle the Mt. Laki (Lakagígar) crater area if road conditions allow (the F-road 206 requires a 4x4; check before setting out). Hike among the volcanic craters and vast lava fields formed by the 1783 eruption, one of the largest in history. Pace yourself — this is the most demanding walking day. Return to your Kirkjubæjarklaustur base in the evening.
🚌Self-drive, 4x4 required for F206 to Lakagígar; ~1.5 hr round trip plus hiking
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, ~£40-55
- →Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon hike
- →Mt. Laki / Lakagígar crater hike
- →Lava field walking
Landmannalaugar, Brennisteinsalda & hot pool soak
Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Landmannalaugar → Hvolsvöllur/Selfoss
Drive the highland route toward Landmannalaugar (again, F-roads need a 4x4 — a Highland bus from Hella is a good car-free alternative, ~£60-80 return). Hike the classic Brennisteinsalda loop over the multicoloured rhyolite volcano, past steaming fumaroles and obsidian lava, roughly 6-7km. Finish by bathing in the natural hot river at Landmannalaugar — free and unforgettable. Head back down toward Hvolsvöllur or Selfoss for the night, staying on the south coast ready for an easy return.
🚌Self-drive 4x4 or Highland bus from Hella; ~2-3 hrs driving
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Hvolsvöllur or Selfoss, ~£40-60
- →Brennisteinsalda volcano loop hike
- →Landmannalaugar natural hot pool soak
- →Fumarole and rhyolite landscape walking
Return to Reykjavik & departure
Hvolsvöllur/Selfoss → Reykjavik
Make the relaxed drive or bus ride back to Reykjavik (Strætó bus 51 or your rental). If time allows before your flight, wander downtown Reykjavik, grab a cheap hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu, and explore the waterfront. Return the rental car and take the Flybus to Keflavík for your departure. If you have a late flight, a soak at a public pool (Sundhöllin, ~£7) beats the pricey Blue Lagoon.
🚌Strætó bus 51 or self-drive to Reykjavik; Flybus to Keflavík ~£22
🛏None (departure day) or one final night in a Reykjavik hostel if flying next morning, ~£35-50
- →Reykjavik old town wander
- →Optional public thermal pool visit
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£860 | £2,200 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,340 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£860
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Hiking Southern Iceland: Ring Road Waterfalls, Glaciers & Volcano Trails cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £860 per person for 6 days in Southern Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £860 — a saving of roughly £1,340 (61%) per person.
How long is the Southern Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Southern Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, budget trip through Southern Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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