Our Trip
Midlife Adventures in Iceland: Our Journey
This is a recap of our incredible midlife adventures in Iceland! Over several days, we explored stunning landscapes, hiked breathtaking trails, and experienced the unique culture of this beautiful island. Here's a day-by-day breakdown of our unforgettable trip.
Day 1
We flew into KEF International Airport, landing at 11:00 AM. Upon arrival, we met with Campeasy, who took us to collect our van for the trip. Next, we headed to the nearest Bonus supermarket to stock up on supplies. After we were fully stocked, we began the longest leg of our journey from Keflavik to our first campground in Skaftafell.
Day 3
We began our third day with an exhilarating glacier hike, venturing onto the ancient blue ice to explore an impressive ice cave. The experience of standing within the translucent, frozen walls was truly humbling, offering a rare glimpse into Iceland's geological history. Following our descent, we drove to the majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. A short stroll to the summit rewarded us with stunning views over the winding river and the dramatic, moss-covered cliffs that define this ancient landscape.
As the afternoon light softened, we visited the iconic Reynisfjara Beach, stopping briefly at the picturesque Reyniskirkja Church in Vík along the way. The beach is world-renowned for its volcanic black sands and towering basalt columns, where the powerful Atlantic waves crash against the shore with immense force. After a day filled with natural wonders, we made our way to the Hamragarðar Campground to settle in for the night, falling asleep to the distant sound of cascading water.
Day 2
Waking up at about 5:30 AM, we set off for Stokksnes to catch the sunrise over the beach, illuminating the majestic Vestrahorn mountains. Remember to purchase a pass from the Viking Cafe adjacent to the road barrier at the top. Our next stop was the Viking Village, created as a prop for a movie. After that, we returned to the Viking Cafe for a bite to eat and coffee while planning our next destination. We then headed back to Hoffell Glacial Lake. Our final stop for the day was Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake and Diamond Beach, where we marveled at chunks of glacier floating out to sea and washing onto the shore.
Day 4
On our fourth day, we departed the campground in the pre-dawn light to witness the sunrise at the magnificent Skógafoss. The thundering power of the falls is breathtaking; we climbed the steep steps on the right side to reach the viewing platform, which offers a fantastic vantage point over the cascading water and the lush coastal plains beyond. Our journey continued to the elegant Seljalandsfoss and the hidden gem of Gljúfrabúi, where the mist from the falls created a truly ethereal atmosphere.
With an incoming storm system threatening the coast, we had to compress our remaining itinerary. We made a swift but memorable visit to the pulsing Strokkur Geysir and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, feeling the raw power of the earth as the water plummeted into the deep canyon. As the winds intensified, we began our journey towards the safety and vibrant culture of Reykjavík, reflecting on a day of intense natural drama and beauty.
