DAY 1: There's No Knowing Where You Might Be Swept off To (Thorsmork)
seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui
Among the many beautiful waterfalls of Iceland, this one stands out, literally, far enough from its base that you can walk the path beneath it. You'll also find a variety of wildflowers, made possible by the mist from the falls, and since there are no bees in Iceland, it's the perfect place to enjoy a picnic without having to worry if you remembered to pack your EpiPen. There's also a hidden gem only a short walk north - Gljufrabui, a waterfall tucked in a rocky crevice, a perfect hiding spot for some post-picnic hide and seek.
Suggested duration: 90 minutes. Visit www.south.is for more information.
Thorsmork (SPRING-FALL ONLY)
To get here you'll need to book yourself a seat on a bus or Jeep, so definitely don't try to get there in your compact car or you'll be swept away, both figuratively, by the beauty of the surroundings, but also literally, by the crushing rapids of a river. If you get here in one piece, you'll be in the company of JRR Tolkien; his visit here inspired the creation of Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings. Novice hikers can take the Panorama Trail while intermediate hikers can take both the Panorama and the Highlights Trails. More advanced hikers can warm up with Highlights or Panorama and then take on the more-challenging terrain of the Tindjfoll Circle. You can park your car at the Lava Center in Hvollsvolur, then take a bus to the park, so you don't have to worry about drowning.
Suggested duration: 4-5 hours. Visit www.volcanohuts.com for tour booking and bus schedule, trail details and more information.
bonus: stakkholtsgja (SPRING-Fall ONLY)
If you've already forded the river and haven't drowned, you might as well make the most of your time here in case you drown on the way back. On your side-hike through this quiet canyon you will find no paths, but it's hard to get lost hiking through a canyon. The walk gets narrower as you progress until it splits in two directions. Follow the slot canyon to the left to see a hidden waterfall.
Average duration: 90 minutes. Visit www.south.is for more information.
STAY THE NIGHT IN: hvolsvollur
DAY 2: Collision Course (Vik)
skogafoss & Kvernufoss
Legend has it that the ground under this waterfall holds buried treasure. If there's truly a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, then the near-constant rainbow presense may lead you to believe that there truly is buried treasure here even if that's an Irish, rather than Icelandic, myth. It is further said that one villager came close to pulling the treasure from the ground, but was only able to pull the ring off the treasure chest. Of course, if capitalists believed in myths, they would've surely bull-dozed the entire waterfall by now, not realizing the real treasure for them to behold is the beauty of nature, which you could behold even more after climbing the 300+ stairs that run adjacent to the waterfall. From up there you can get a good view of the South coast, or continue on the path north (Fimmvorduhals) for unparalleled scenery. The path goes on for 15 miles, so know your own limits.
Suggested duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.south.is for more information.
skogar museum
solheimajokull
solheimasandur plane wreck
In 1973, a US Navy plane crash-landed on the southern shore of Iceland. Luckily, everyone survived, except for the plane of course, whose wreckage lies in ruins upon black sand. Don't attempt to get there without four wheel drive, or if there's a lot of snow on the ground which can obscure massive rocks that will leave both your rental car and your wallet in ruins along with the plane. If in bad conditions, you can always hike to it from the main road, one hour each way. To locate it, use the coordinates - 63 27.546-19 21.887.
Suggested duration: 60 minutes.
dyrholaey
This peninsula is named after the massive arch jutting out from cliffside, a result of coastal erosion. The "door hole" is big enough that ships can sail through it under calm conditions. One time, a brave pilot flew an airplane even through it - unrelated to the U.S. navy plane that crashed at nearby Solheimassandur. Parts of the area might be closed in summer, or peak puffin mating season, as the puffins can get pretty aggressive; you wouldn't want to get caught standing between a puffin in heat and a potential mate. If you have an option, visit the upper area (right at fork), to see the picturesque lighthouse and the black sand beach, from above.
Suggested duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.south.is for more information.
vik
STAY THE NIGHT IN: vik
DAY 3: Overcome by the Elements (Vik)
reynisfjara beach (the Black sand beach)
At the southernmost point of the town of Vik is the famous Black Sand Beach, known not only for its jet-black sand but also for its basalt columns, colossal caves, and towering vertical cliffs, on which you'll sometimes find mountain goats that seem to defy both the laws of gravity and fear itself. The columns are formed by lava, which seep down the rock face then cool down into geometric patterns, but locals believe that these columns used to be trolls, who would pick off ships passing the south coast, then apparently lost track of time, turning into stone in the morning - something we can all relate to after a long night of heavy revelry. Explore the area at your own risk, but one thing you should never do is go for a swim or even turn your back to the water. The entire coastline is known for its "sneaker waves," named so due to their sudden shift in speed and size, but also because you'll need to be wearing sneakers to outrun them or risk being dragged with them to sea, so be cautious; it's all fun and games until people start drowning.
Suggested duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.south.is for more information.
HJORLEIFSHOFDI
This rocky highland is named after the viking settler Hjorleifur Hrodmarsson, a cousin of Ingolfur Arnarson, the first viking settler of Iceland in 874. Hjorleifur was the second settler but was killed just a year later in 875, by his Irish slaves who overpowered him. When his brother Ingolfur found out, he took matters into his own hands, hunting down the slaves to the Westman islands, where he found them eating dinner, and didn't even wait for them to finish eating before he slaughtered them. Nobody has settled here since as it's supposed to be haunted. Many hikers over the years making the trek to visit Hjorleifur's tomb atop the hill have been overtaken by a thick fog and forced to turn back, but if you are worthy, perhaps Hjorleifur will let you come up and pay respects.
Average duration: 2-3 hours. Visit www.south.is for more information.
laufskalavarda
axlafoss waterfall
scenic green lava walk
FJADRARGLJUFUR
This picturesque, winding canyon can be traversed from above or below. The best views of the many waterfalls lining the canyon interior are from the above path, but hiking through the canyon gives you a chance to take a dip in one of many shallow pools of water. And don't worry about the water quality, it's direct run-off from nearby glaciers, and was clean enough for Justin Bieber to bathe here in 2015 though its now likely infested as a result. Swim at your own risk or you may end up with a case of Bieber Fever.
Suggested duration: 1-2 hours. Visit www.south.is for more information.
