Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, moss-covered lava fields, black sand beaches, and dramatic sea stacks along Iceland’s South Coast.
Ring Road & Beyond Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5| Part 6
A Quick Glimpse of Our Drive
One of the best parts of driving Iceland‘s Ring Road is that the scenery between destinations is just as spectacular as the attractions themselves. Here are some photos we captured along the drive before we dive into the highlights.
Ölfusá Overlook 
Endless horizons and the purple haze of lupines. 
Summer in Iceland means chasing the purple haze. 
The rugged beauty of the South Coast 
Summer in Iceland means chasing the purple haze. 
The rugged beauty of the South Coast. 
Unbeatable views from the Ring Road 
Purple lupines blooming in front of Seljalandsfoss waterfall on Iceland’s Ring Road. 
Seljalandsfoss, Views from the Ring Road 
Cruising the South Coast 
The endless road through Southern Iceland 
The endless road through Southern Iceland 
The endless road through Southern Iceland 
Cruising the South Coast 
Rútshellir: The Cave of Rútur 
Rútshellir: The Cave of Rútur 
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck, a U.S. Navy DC-3 abandoned in 1973. 
Driving toward Dyrhólaey 
Views along Route 1 near Vik. 
Sheep grazing in green fields with farm buildings and mountains near Vik. 
Panoramic landscape of green hills, distant farms, and the Ring Road near Vik. 
Sweeping farmland and winding Ring Road through lush green valleys near Vík. 
Narrow rural road cutting through bright green hills and farmland. 
Abandoned farmhouse beneath green hills near Vík 
View from ring Road, Vik. 
Sweeping farmland and winding Ring Road through lush green valleys near Vík. 
A scenic view of the village of Vík í Mýrdal with its iconic red-roofed church on a hill. 
A scenic view of the village of Vík í Mýrdal with its iconic red-roofed church on a hill. 
Green fields and cliffs, Ring Road landscape near Vik. 
Ring Road landscape near Vik. 
View from Vellir, Vík 
Mountain mist and green meadows, the view from our stay at Vellir, Vík. 
Misty view of Vík 
Winding road through a village in Vík 
Ring Road through purple lupine fields near Vik 
Myrdalsjokull Glacier and Lupine 
Myrdalsjokull Glacier and Lupine 
Mossy lava field overlooking a distant glacier near Vik 
Ring Road through purple lupine fields near Vik 
Ring Road through purple lupine fields near Vik 
Myrdalsjokull Glacier and Lupine 
Myrdalsjokull Glacier and Lupine 
Purple lupine fields along Iceland’s Ring Road with mountains rising in the distance near Vik.
This section of Iceland’s Ring Road takes you along the spectacular South Coast, where the landscape quickly transforms into a stunning mix of waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches, and vast volcanic plains. Best of all, nearly every attraction is located just off Ring Road (Route 1), making this an easy and incredibly scenic drive before arriving in the charming village of Vík.
Despite being one of the shortest sections of the journey, this stretch packs in an incredible variety of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes. Whether you’re driving the Ring Road in a single week or exploring Iceland at a slower pace, this stretch features some of the country’s most famous natural attractions within a relatively short distance. That’s the magic of Iceland’s Ring Road.
These are some of the unforgettable stops and landscapes from our Ring Road adventure through Iceland’s South Coast from Selfoss to just east of Vík.
Quick Tips for This Drive
- Distance: Approximately 150 km (93 mi)
- Driving Time: Around 2 hours without sightseeing stops.
- Fuel: Gas stations are available in Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, and Vík.
- Food & Cafes: Restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores are available in Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, Skógar, and Vík.
- Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses, cabins, and campsites are available in Skógar and Vík.
- Road Conditions: Route 1 is fully paved and suitable for standard vehicles year-round. Always check current road conditions (road.is) and weather forecasts (vedur.is) before heading out.
- Suggested Time: Allow at least half a day
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