Day three started with a glacier hike out onto the old blue ice to explore an ice cave. Standing inside those clear, frozen walls gave us a real sense of how long Iceland’s landscape has taken to form.
Back on solid ground we drove to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, where a short walk to the top gave us great views down over the winding river and the steep, moss-covered cliffs.
In the late afternoon light we headed for Reynisfjara, stopping briefly at Reyniskirkja church in Vík on the way. The beach is famous for its black volcanic sand and tall basalt columns, and the Atlantic waves hit the shore with real force. After a full day we drove to the Hamragarðar campsite for the night and fell asleep to the sound of falling water.
Good to know
- Ice caves: the season usually runs from November to March, depending on the weather, and you must go with a qualified glacier guide. Visit Vatnajökull
- Fjaðrárgljúfur: parking is about 1,000 ISK per car, paid through the Parka app. The paths are sometimes closed in spring to protect the moss, so check before you go. Parka
- Reynisfjara: sneaker waves here have killed visitors. A warning light by the path shows yellow or red, and when it’s red a gate now closes the beach. Stay well back from the water. Iceland Review
- Hamragarðar campsite: it’s currently listed as open from May to October, so check before planning a winter stop there.
We checked these details in October 2026. Times, prices and rules do change, so it’s worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.