The amazing south shore excursion follows the southern coast of Iceland. It is a significant collection of stunning geological treasures, waterfalls, glaciers, sea stacks and black sand beaches. This day all in all gives opportunities firstly for walking behind waterfalls, secondly for cramponing across on glaciers and thirdly for strolling along black sand beaches. If you don’t have your own vehicle, a lot of tour providers offer south coast day trips starting from Reykjavík.
You can hire a car and self-drive this toute. Before you do this check the road and conditions as can be seen on safetravel.is
Places to visit and see on the south shore
Hveragerði – Town of Hot Springs
Town of Hot Springs (pronounced: KVER-ah-ger-thhi) rests in a large geothermal area where boiling water runs just beneath the earth’s surface. The greenhouses here supply Icelands tomatoes and cucumbers. The town of Hveragerði has become known for the glow of its well-lit greenhouses that have been harnessing this hot-water energy to grow fruits and vegetables year-round. This has been happening since the 1920s.
One of the most popular hiking routes in Iceland, is the Reykjadalur Valley. A hike through the valley is filled with steaming vents and mud pools that lead you to the shallow, warm river surrounded by wilderness. The walk from the town towards the river is 3 kilometres and offers views of canyons and waterfalls. Once you get to the thermal river make sure you have Packed swimsuits and a towel.
Gljúfrabúi waterfall
Gljúfrabúi waterfall – This lies around 30km east of Skogar. The waterfall Gljúfrabúi tumbles down from the Troll Gorge Canyon. It is 40m tall. The boulder that blocks the waterfall is called Franskanef. Previously, people believed that it and the surrounding cliffs were the residences of hidden people. A little south of Gljúfrabúi, there is a small canyon in the cliff face from which it is possible to ascend onto the heath above.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Seljalandsfoss waterfall – Close by Gljúfrabúi is the unique waterfall which is 60 meters high with a footpath behind it. Albeit recent works to the area have made the path safer and more accessible, but it will only be possible to walk behind the water in the summer when the ice has melted on this north facing cliff face.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall – Skogáfoss is a beautiful waterfall. It is 60-meter high. Legend says a pot of gold buried under the waterfall. When the sun is out you can often find a rainbow running though this waterfall. The wooden steps lead to the top of the waterfall giving a breath-taking view from a metal platform.
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Glacier Sólheimajökull – From Skógar, the Ring Road runs eastwards along the foot of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull icecap. It is one of the most easily accessible glaciers to reach from Reykjavík, just 158 kilometres (98 miles) away. The glacier is about eight kilometres long and two kilometres wide (five miles long and just over a mile wide). Beneath its thick surface is one of the country’s most infamous volcanoes, Katla. The nearby Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010 causing widespread havoc at European airports.
Like many glaciers Sólheimajökull is shrinking. A glacier lagoon at its base reveals how quickly it is receding, the length of an Olympic swimming pool every year.
The best way to explore the glacier is on a guided hike or even on an ice-climbing tour.
Reynisdrangar black sands beach
Black sands beach – Reynisfjall is a 340 m high tuff mountain arising out of a volcanic eruption from under a glacier in the penultimate Ice Age, near the village of Vik. Reynisdrangar stacks are a collection of 66 m high rock pillars that rise out of the sea and are thought to be trolls which have been turned to rock. After that you can view at the base of the cliffs on the beach amazing basalt column formations can be seen.
WARNING – Rouge waves here are deceiving and have caused the death of several visitors in recent years. A red, amber, green warning system has been introduced at the beach depending on the risk levels from the waves. Heed their warning!
Vik Town
Vik – Vik is the main settlement in the area with shops and restauarnts. You can walk along the beach here or visit the gorgeous Myrdal Church. The church is a popular destination and probably the most photographed church in all of Iceland. Vik i Myrdal, the church on the hill.
Now you know all about the amazing South Shore Excursion on Iceland, why now check out our blogs on the other best day trips from the city of Reykjavik, Iceland –