I spent 4 days exploring the unbelievable 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 stunned to see plenty of 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 carry recent meals into Iceland), plus a caramel doughnut.
This was swiftly adopted by the unintended discovery of Iceland’s worm (cousin to the Loch Ness Monster apparently) and an excellent greater unintended 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 highway, however I don’t suggest it on your coronary heart well being. Not simply because gravel roads should not 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 incredible views and waffles!
Days 2 & 3 of motorhoming in Iceland
Day 2 began early. The speak I attended about Iceland on the ferry over mentioned the easiest way to take care of fixed daylight is to get right into a rhythm and keep on with it. In addition they prompt getting up early to do probably the most touristy issues, so you may see the whole lot earlier than the tour buses arrive.
Subsequently, 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’d say in Jersey, a correct peasouper. Nevertheless, as I drove in direction of the Lagoon parking, the fog appeared to hug the coast, however not go too far inland, which means once I rounded a nook I had the jaw-dropping expertise of seeing the glacier proper in entrance of me.
It’s exhausting to place it into phrases should you’ve by no means seen a glacier earlier than. The sheer scale of it’s huge, and the fantastic thing about this explicit one set in opposition to the mountains and sea is very breathtaking. After which I rounded one other nook and noticed the Glacier Lagoon with all its icebergs. I’ll be trustworthy, I virtually got here to a whole cease within the highway. It’s STUNNING. The solar was low and made the ice sparkle and the water was so still- it was unbelievable.
I managed to get the drone up earlier than the tour, which was incredible. My advice is unquestionably to do the rib boats quite 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 probably the world’s most costly 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 pretty campsite with views over the ocean and mountains- simply £12 for the evening. In actual fact, 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
As we speak’s mission- discover a sea geysir and two waterfalls.
Though the day began in mist and low cloud, it cleared up rapidly. The NE nook is known as ‘Majorca’ by the Icelanders as a result of it’s usually sunny right here – that’s definitely been my expertise. The ocean geysir was a bust. After strolling all the way 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 sometimes. Both method, I moved on to discover a waterfall you would stroll behind.
This was very practically a bust too. It’s referred to as Gilsarfoss and there aren’t any indicators apart from a tiny handmade one… which I missed. The issue with lacking this signal is I discovered myself on a really slim gravel coastal highway. Turning the motorhome round was unimaginable for a number of miles- and even once I managed it, it was very dodgy (and the drop was steep as I reversed in direction of it!) I virtually didn’t hassle to return.
However I’m so glad I made the hassle. This waterfall was fantastic. A couple of 10-minute hike to a crystal clear pool, and you would 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 solution to the following cease, I handed one other superior spot. Proper on the primary highway, it’s subsequent to a waterfall whose title stays unknown, however was a beautiful view for lunch.
Finally made it to Hengifoss, certainly one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls- and it didn’t disappoint. The hike is just not 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- a beautiful campsite proper on the East coast which is barely £8pppn!
From right here, I’m heading anti-clockwise, so working my method west alongside the northern a part of Iceland. Examine again for extra updates quickly!
