Day 9: Travel Day; Lava Fields, Canyons & Iconic Waterfalls
Discover a part of South Iceland on a 4-hour drive filled with beautiful stops - from mossy lava landscapes and the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon to the dramatic Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns.
28-09-2025
Today is another travel day of about four hours as you make your way further south through Iceland. Luckily, there are a few scenic stops along the way to break up the ride. Unfortunately, I can’t show you much of my own photos from this stretch—rain poured down all day long, and my camera isn’t fully waterproof.
Your first stop is Laufskálavarða, a mossy lava mound by the roadside. On a clear day, the view of the mountains behind it is stunning. It’s a small site, so you won’t need a lot of time here before heading toward your next highlight: the Mossy Lava Fields.
Driving through South Iceland, you’ll already spot the moss-covered lava on both sides of the road. But taking a short detour is worth it, especially since there’s a short walking path that lets you wander directly among these surreal formations. I only managed five minutes in the pouring rain, but on drier days you’ll want to take your time—it feels almost otherworldly, as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale with the rolling lava hills draped in soft green moss.
A little further down the road, the landscape dramatically shifts. You’ll reach Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, carved out by the Fjaðrá River over thousands of years. The hike along the canyon rim is about 2 kilometers (roughly an hour) and offers breathtaking views of the winding emerald gorge. This spot is unmissable on any South Iceland itinerary.
For your last stop before heading to your accommodation, you’ll find Svartifoss Waterfall inside Skaftafell National Park. I didn’t make it myself due to the relentless rain, but it’s praised as one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, framed by striking basalt columns that give it a cathedral-like appearance. The trail is about 1.5 kilometers, and along the way you’ll spot two smaller waterfalls—Hundafoss and Magnúsarfoss—making the hike even more rewarding.
Once you arrive at your accommodation, it’s the perfect time to warm up, rest your legs, and get ready for tomorrow—a day that promises to be truly unforgettable.
