Ferran
2. Sep 2024 ∼ 10 min. read

Iceland's Silver Circle: Self-Drive Itinerary and Essential Stops 

The landscapes of West Iceland are one of the country’s overlooked areas, mostly in part to the rhythms of the ring road. Inland northwest of Borgarnes is where you’ll find Iceland’s Silver Circle driving route, taking in the sights scattered throughout the large lava fields around Húsafell, in the shadow of the glaciers.  

This is one of the most historically important regions in Iceland, and a place to experience the quiet and enchanting beauty of Iceland without major crowds. Lava fields and caves, waterfalls, and hiking routes all make it a great place to spend a couple of days.  

How to Get to the Silver Circle in Iceland 

The Silver Circle in Iceland is in the western region, northwest of Borgarnes. From Reykjavik, simply take the ring road north, and then veer off onto Route 50 before crossing the bridge to Borgarnes.  

This road will take you into the heart of West Iceland, leading you to all the essential stops on the Silver Circle in Iceland.  

How Long Do I Need to Drive the Silver Circle in Iceland? 

It’s entirely possible to do the entire Silver Circle in just one day, although you’ll probably end up missing out on all the beautiful hiking trails in Húsafell. We recommend splitting your time here into two days, with an overnight stop at the campsite in Húsafell.  

Where to Camp on the Silver Circle in Iceland 

Within the Silver Circle, there are only two campsites where you can stay overnight in your campervan.  

Hverinn Campsite 

Located on Route 50, this campsite is really at the beginning of the Silver Circle and comes before any of the major sights listed below.  

Húsafell Campsite  

Once you’ve reached Húsafell, you’ll find the second campsite on the Silver Circle. This campsite is large and has lots of areas protected by trees, as well as easy access to the nearby hotel. It’s also a good base for hikes in the area.  

The Major Sights on Iceland’s Silver Circle 

Deildartunguhver Hot Spring 

Imagine a place where water surges from the ground at a scalding 97°C-100°C (207°F-212°F), hot enough to brew a natural cup of tea (please don’t attempt this). This is the reality at Deildartunguhver, West Iceland's geothermal giant.  

With a rapid flow rate of 180 litres (50 gallons) per second, Deildartunguhver is Iceland’s most powerful hot spring, steaming, churning, and bubbling at an alarming rate.  

The hot spring is obviously far too hot for bathing – rather, this is a quick stop to make and admire the sheer power of the hot water and to understand a bit more about the importance of geothermal energy in Iceland.  

Deildartunguhver also plays a crucial role in the region, with the hot water here channelled to homes in both Borgarnes and Akranes.  

Krauma Spa 

If you’re craving a nice hot spring after visiting Deildartunguhver, then right next door you can enjoy a relaxing soak at Krauma.  

This is one of the high-end spas that you’ll find scattered around Iceland (a-la The Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, and Forest Lagoon). However, it has remained decidedly off the main tourist trails, so you’ll often find this spot uncrowded and quite comfortable. 

There are several different hot pools to choose from with varying temperatures, and great views towards a mountain range opposite the baths. There’s also a steam room, a relaxation room with lounges, and a restaurant.  

All in all, Krauma makes for a good stop before continuing deeper into Iceland’s Silver Circle.  

Reykholt – A Historical Gem 

Snorri Sturluson’s Legacy 

Reykholt is a speck of a village that is a hugely important place when it comes to Iceland’s history. It was here where Snorri Sturluson wrote some of the Icelandic Sagas, writing in Icelandic at a time when Latin dominated scholarly works.  

His mark on the world of Icelandic literature can’t be denied; as a saga writer, poet, and politician, his works, including the Prose-Edda, Heimskringla, and possibly Egils Saga, left an indelible mark on Nordic literature. 

Snorri's life was as dramatic as the sagas he penned, culminating in his assassination within the fortress-like confines of his own farmstead, a site of significant archaeological interest today. 

Snorralaug Hot Spring 

One of the most beautiful attractions of visiting Reykholt is admiring the hot spring Snorralaug. This circular pool set in stone is said to be the place where Snorri bathed and is one of the first archaeological sites to be listed in Iceland.  

Nearby, you can also find the gravestone of Snorri Sturluson, located in the old church’s graveyard. Snorri met his tragic end in his farmstead nearby, killed by assassins working for the Norwegian King, who saw Snorri’s political activities as a threat to Norway’s interests in Iceland.  

Snorrastofa 

Snorrastofa is a museum in Reykholt dedicated to Snorri, displaying artefacts that were unearthed as archaeologists discovered Snorri’s farmstead. There’s a wealth of information on offer about Snorri himself as well as the era in general, making it a must-visit for history buffs.  

The centre has long been a place recognised for its important work promoting medieval culture and Nordic heritage.  

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls 

Hraunfossar 

Driver further east inland on the Silver Circle, and you’ll eventually reach this pair of waterfalls: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.  

Hraunfossar is a stunning cascade; at almost a kilometre wide, the waterfall is fed by water streaming out from underneath the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field. Created when a volcano erupted underneath nearby Langjökull, this expansive lava field will be your companion for the rest of your self-driving tour around the Silver Circle.  

The waters spill out from underneath the lava field, cascading over rocks that are streaked with vibrant green moss and shades of orange and red. The water then plunges into the glacial blue waters of the river, rushing away to drain out at the base of Borgarfjörður.  

Barnafoss 

Just a stone's throw away from Hraunfossar, the Barnafoss Waterfall presents a different kind of spectacle. Here, the white-water river has spent centuries carving its way through volcanic rocks and has created a natural archway that it channels through.  

The name Barnafoss, or "Children's Falls," is derived from a tragic legend involving two young boys from a nearby farm who, attempting to follow their parents to church, fell into the falls while crossing a stone bridge. 

Húsafell - Nature and Adventure Hub 

The major destination along Iceland’s Silver Circle is Húsafell, the name given to the valley nestled in the shadows of the glacier Langjökull. Here is where you can spend the night with your campervan, with a huge campsite next to the Hotel Húsafell offering plenty of great spots to park.   

Hiking Trails 

In recent years, Húsafell has billed itself as a nature and adventure hub, and that’s exactly what it is. From here, tours venture off further into the wilds of West Iceland, visiting the Víðgelmir Lava Cave and the glacier Langjökull (more info on those tours below).  

But you don’t have to stray far from Húsafell to find yourself in some spectacular nature. There are a variety of hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience, making it a fantastic place to spend a bit longer so you can immerse yourself in the landscapes.  

Woodlands, waterfalls, and rugged lava landscapes are the norm here, with each trail offering something different. Easier trails focus on the immediate surroundings, meandering along the river and through the surrounding woodlands, while more challenging trails venture into the canyons and up onto the mountains, where you’ll find waterfalls and towering rock formations.  

The most challenging is an epic 24-kilometre hike to the top of the former glacier OK, where a plaque commemorates the glacier as one of Iceland’s first ice caps to succumb to climate change, disappearing some years ago. 

Hotel Húsafell & The Canyon Baths 

The central hub of all things in Húsafell is Hotel Húsafell. After spending some time on the trails, it’s always nice to pop into the hotel for their happy hour, or even for dinner at the restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking in your campervan.  

A new attraction is also operated by the hotel: The Húsafell Canyon Baths. This is a natural hot spring in a nearby canyon, offering a relaxing soak in some beautiful landscapes. The baths, constructed from locally sourced flagstone, blend seamlessly into the surrounding area, and are reminiscent of the historic Snorralaug Hot Spring in Reykholt, where bathing is prohibited.   

Víðgelmir Lava Cave 

One of the biggest attractions of the Silver Circle is the Víðgelmir Lava Cave. This tour offers an unparalleled experience and is even a big hit with locals who are accustomed to Iceland's volcanic landscapes.  

Located in the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field further inland from the Húsafell area and closer to the glaciers, approaching the location really brings into perspective how large this lava field is. The cave has remained a bit of a hidden gem, but it’s absolutely one of the most fascinating sights in West Iceland.  

The tour delves into the cave, created as lava pushed itself underground and created a long tunnel. The cathedral-like halls inside offer a breathtaking array of colours left behind from the lava coursing through here, and the complete darkness you can experience after turning off your headlamps is unlike anything else in Iceland.  

Along the way, your tour guide will explain how the tunnel was created and point out the important geological features, like the lava stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the ground.  

Surtshellir Lava Cave 

Further north from Víðgelmir is another lava cave called Surtshellir. This cave can be accessed without a tour but note that doing so comes with considerable risk.  

The cave is larger than Víðgelmir, and openly accessible to anybody who chooses to visit (unless the road to the cave is impassable). However, with no tours to provide you with equipment, venturing inside here really requires some good preparation. We’re talking helmets, good hiking boots for scrambling over the rocks inside the cave, and a headtorch with backup batteries.  

Inside, expect snow and ice even well into the summer season, cold temperatures, and lots of darkness. However, unlike Víðgelmir, this cave has several access points, letting you jump out of the cave instead of retracing your steps back to the main entrance.  

Langjökull Glacier 

Langjökull Glacier is the second-largest ice cap in the country, towering above Húsafell and the Silver Circle as it hugs the top of the mountains and edge of the Highlands. This majestic glacier, with its vast white expanse and intricate ice caves, offers a variety of tours that cater to different interests and thrill levels, the perfect way to cap off your Silver Circle driving tour in Iceland.  

One of the most popular excursions is the Into the Glacier tour, which takes visitors into the heart of Langjökull through the world’s largest man-made ice tunnel. For those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled experience, snowmobile tours provide an exhilarating ride across the glacier’s surface, offering breathtaking views and a unique perspective of this icy landscape.