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Adventure
Iceland — The land of fire and ice
Imagine a place where glaciers rest on top of volcanoes, where the midnight sun hovers at the horizon, and where horses and sheep outnumber people. Iceland is both peculiar and breathtaking—a land of contrasts that feels like stepping into another world.
This was my first-ever adventure trip, the one that pushed me out of my comfort zone and sparked everything that came after. Here’s a look back at my 8-day journey that left me in awe (and also sparked my love for documenting and telling stories).
Info
Year
2018
Images
Tiffany C.
Info
Year
2018
Images
Tiffany C.
Info
Year
2018
Images
Tiffany C.
Day 1: Reykjavik → Vik
200 km (2.5 hrs)
Driving out of Reykjavik, I quickly learned that Iceland’s weather can change from summer to winter within the same hour. The drive south set the tone: wide open views, shifting light, and some of the most photogenic waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
Highlights:
Seljalandsfoss – A waterfall you can walk behind—bring a rain jacket! The path is slippery but worth it for the curtain of water and rainbow-filled mist.
Skógafoss – Another giant cascade, 60 meters tall. Legend has it that the treasure is hidden behind it, left by a Viking settler.
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) – Famous for its basalt columns and roaring Atlantic waves. It’s beautiful but wild—the sneaker waves here are no joke.
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks – Jagged rock formations rising from the sea, said to be trolls turned to stone by sunlight.
Day 1: Reykjavik → Vik
200 km (2.5 hrs)
Driving out of Reykjavik, I quickly learned that Iceland’s weather can change from summer to winter within the same hour. The drive south set the tone: wide open views, shifting light, and some of the most photogenic waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
Highlights:
Seljalandsfoss – A waterfall you can walk behind—bring a rain jacket! The path is slippery but worth it for the curtain of water and rainbow-filled mist.
Skógafoss – Another giant cascade, 60 meters tall. Legend has it that the treasure is hidden behind it, left by a Viking settler.
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) – Famous for its basalt columns and roaring Atlantic waves. It’s beautiful but wild—the sneaker waves here are no joke.
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks – Jagged rock formations rising from the sea, said to be trolls turned to stone by sunlight.
Day 1: Reykjavik → Vik
200 km (2.5 hrs)
Driving out of Reykjavik, I quickly learned that Iceland’s weather can change from summer to winter within the same hour. The drive south set the tone: wide open views, shifting light, and some of the most photogenic waterfalls I’ve ever seen.
Highlights:
Seljalandsfoss – A waterfall you can walk behind—bring a rain jacket! The path is slippery but worth it for the curtain of water and rainbow-filled mist.
Skógafoss – Another giant cascade, 60 meters tall. Legend has it that the treasure is hidden behind it, left by a Viking settler.
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) – Famous for its basalt columns and roaring Atlantic waves. It’s beautiful but wild—the sneaker waves here are no joke.
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks – Jagged rock formations rising from the sea, said to be trolls turned to stone by sunlight.
Day 2: Vik → Skaftafell
140 km (1.75 hrs)
The landscape shifted to one of Iceland’s most otherworldly sights: moss-covered lava fields stretching for miles. The green carpet covers Eldhraun, formed by an eruption in 1783, one of the largest lava flows in recorded history.
Highlights:
Eldhraun Lava Field – Soft, spongy moss that makes the volcanic past look strangely serene.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – A winding, 2-million-year-old canyon carved by glacial meltwater. Its winding shape makes every viewpoint look like a painting.
Day 2: Vik → Skaftafell
140 km (1.75 hrs)
The landscape shifted to one of Iceland’s most otherworldly sights: moss-covered lava fields stretching for miles. The green carpet covers Eldhraun, formed by an eruption in 1783, one of the largest lava flows in recorded history.
Highlights:
Eldhraun Lava Field – Soft, spongy moss that makes the volcanic past look strangely serene.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – A winding, 2-million-year-old canyon carved by glacial meltwater. Its winding shape makes every viewpoint look like a painting.
Day 2: Vik → Skaftafell
140 km (1.75 hrs)
The landscape shifted to one of Iceland’s most otherworldly sights: moss-covered lava fields stretching for miles. The green carpet covers Eldhraun, formed by an eruption in 1783, one of the largest lava flows in recorded history.
Highlights:
Eldhraun Lava Field – Soft, spongy moss that makes the volcanic past look strangely serene.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – A winding, 2-million-year-old canyon carved by glacial meltwater. Its winding shape makes every viewpoint look like a painting.
Day 3: Skaftafell → Höfn
140 km (1.75 hrs)
This was the day of glaciers. Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. Hiking here feels like stepping back in time.
Highlights:
Svartifoss: A “black waterfall” framed by hexagonal basalt columns.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Floating icebergs drifting toward the sea, often with seals lounging nearby.
Diamond Beach: Just across the road, glittering chunks of ice rest on black sand like scattered jewels.
Day 3: Skaftafell → Höfn
140 km (1.75 hrs)
This was the day of glaciers. Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. Hiking here feels like stepping back in time.
Highlights:
Svartifoss: A “black waterfall” framed by hexagonal basalt columns.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Floating icebergs drifting toward the sea, often with seals lounging nearby.
Diamond Beach: Just across the road, glittering chunks of ice rest on black sand like scattered jewels.
Day 3: Skaftafell → Höfn
140 km (1.75 hrs)
This was the day of glaciers. Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. Hiking here feels like stepping back in time.
Highlights:
Svartifoss: A “black waterfall” framed by hexagonal basalt columns.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Floating icebergs drifting toward the sea, often with seals lounging nearby.
Diamond Beach: Just across the road, glittering chunks of ice rest on black sand like scattered jewels.
Day 4: Höfn → Mývatn
360 km (5 hrs)
Driving the East Fjords was a trip highlight—narrow, winding roads hugging the coastline, with tiny fishing villages nestled between the mountains and sea. It’s one of Iceland’s less-travelled regions and feels incredibly peaceful.
Highlights:
Seyðisfjörður: A colourful town known for its rainbow-painted street leading to a blue church.
Mývatn Nature Baths: A geothermal lagoon often called the “Blue Lagoon of the North.” Perfect after a long drive.
Lake Mývatn: Surrounded by volcanic craters and lava fields—its name literally means “Midge Lake” (yes, there are lots of them in summer!).
Day 4: Höfn → Mývatn
360 km (5 hrs)
Driving the East Fjords was a trip highlight—narrow, winding roads hugging the coastline, with tiny fishing villages nestled between the mountains and sea. It’s one of Iceland’s less-travelled regions and feels incredibly peaceful.
Highlights:
Seyðisfjörður: A colourful town known for its rainbow-painted street leading to a blue church.
Mývatn Nature Baths: A geothermal lagoon often called the “Blue Lagoon of the North.” Perfect after a long drive.
Lake Mývatn: Surrounded by volcanic craters and lava fields—its name literally means “Midge Lake” (yes, there are lots of them in summer!).
Day 4: Höfn → Mývatn
360 km (5 hrs)
Driving the East Fjords was a trip highlight—narrow, winding roads hugging the coastline, with tiny fishing villages nestled between the mountains and sea. It’s one of Iceland’s less-travelled regions and feels incredibly peaceful.
Highlights:
Seyðisfjörður: A colourful town known for its rainbow-painted street leading to a blue church.
Mývatn Nature Baths: A geothermal lagoon often called the “Blue Lagoon of the North.” Perfect after a long drive.
Lake Mývatn: Surrounded by volcanic craters and lava fields—its name literally means “Midge Lake” (yes, there are lots of them in summer!).
Day 5: Mývatn → Hvammstangi
280 km (3.5 hrs)
Heading west, I stopped at one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, often dubbed the “Niagara Falls of Iceland.”
Highlights
Day 5: Mývatn → Hvammstangi
280 km (3.5 hrs)
Heading west, I stopped at one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, often dubbed the “Niagara Falls of Iceland.”
Highlights
Day 5: Mývatn → Hvammstangi
280 km (3.5 hrs)
Heading west, I stopped at one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, often dubbed the “Niagara Falls of Iceland.”
Highlights
Day 6: Hvammstangi → Snæfellsnes
250 km (3 hrs)
The road led me to Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain—and for good reason. With its symmetrical peak and waterfalls nearby, it’s one of those places that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Day 6: Hvammstangi → Snæfellsnes
250 km (3 hrs)
The road led me to Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain—and for good reason. With its symmetrical peak and waterfalls nearby, it’s one of those places that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Day 6: Hvammstangi → Snæfellsnes
250 km (3 hrs)
The road led me to Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain—and for good reason. With its symmetrical peak and waterfalls nearby, it’s one of those places that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Day 7: Snæfellsnes → Þingvellir
222 km (2.75 hrs)
Snæfellsjökull National Park is centred around a glacier-capped volcano made famous by the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. At Þingvellir National Park, I stood where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart.
Day 7: Snæfellsnes → Þingvellir
222 km (2.75 hrs)
Snæfellsjökull National Park is centred around a glacier-capped volcano made famous by the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. At Þingvellir National Park, I stood where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart.
Day 7: Snæfellsnes → Þingvellir
222 km (2.75 hrs)
Snæfellsjökull National Park is centred around a glacier-capped volcano made famous by the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. At Þingvellir National Park, I stood where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart.
Day 8: Þingvellir → Glymur
57 km (1 hr)
I ended my trip with one last hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. The trail winds through caves, across rivers, and up cliffs—a fitting finale of adventure, challenge, and reward.
Day 8: Þingvellir → Glymur
57 km (1 hr)
I ended my trip with one last hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. The trail winds through caves, across rivers, and up cliffs—a fitting finale of adventure, challenge, and reward.
Day 8: Þingvellir → Glymur
57 km (1 hr)
I ended my trip with one last hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. The trail winds through caves, across rivers, and up cliffs—a fitting finale of adventure, challenge, and reward.
Carrying Iceland with me
Looking back, this trip was more than exploring incredible places. It was my first leap into real adventure—learning to embrace unpredictable weather, long drives, and the sheer scale of mother nature.
It was also the trip that pushed me to document everything: every photo, every detail, every feeling. Iceland showed me the power of storytelling through travel—and it’s a journey I’ll never forget.
Carrying Iceland with me
Looking back, this trip was more than exploring incredible places. It was my first leap into real adventure—learning to embrace unpredictable weather, long drives, and the sheer scale of mother nature.
It was also the trip that pushed me to document everything: every photo, every detail, every feeling. Iceland showed me the power of storytelling through travel—and it’s a journey I’ll never forget.
Carrying Iceland with me
Looking back, this trip was more than exploring incredible places. It was my first leap into real adventure—learning to embrace unpredictable weather, long drives, and the sheer scale of mother nature.
It was also the trip that pushed me to document everything: every photo, every detail, every feeling. Iceland showed me the power of storytelling through travel—and it’s a journey I’ll never forget.
