Looking for a 1-day Diamond Circle itinerary with a little twist? Our route was slightly different from the traditional Diamond Circle, starting in Egilsstaðir and ending in Akureyri. This scenic road trip through North Iceland takes you to some of Iceland’s most beautiful places, from powerful waterfalls and steaming geothermal areas to volcanic landscapes and the stunning Lake Mývatn region.
The Diamond Circle is often compared to Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, but the scenery here is quite different. It’s a great way to explore North Iceland with far fewer crowds.
This itinerary follows the route we drove in June 2025. We’re here, sharing our favorite stops, photos, and highlights along the way to help you plan your own trip.
It’s a full day of driving and sightseeing, but the long summer daylight hours give you plenty of time to enjoy the incredible landscapes along the way.
Before We Started…
We had originally planned to visit Hengifoss Waterfall before continuing west, but unfortunately, a flat tire changed our plans. Instead of getting an early start, we didn’t get on the road until around 10 am.
So, we decided to skip Hengifoss and head straight toward Dettifoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
Here’s how our day went and all the places we visited along the way.
Stop 1: Rjúkandi Waterfall – A Ring Road Oasis
After leaving Egilsstaðir, our first stop was Rjúkandi Waterfall, just off the Ring Road, about a 45 mins scenic drive along Route 1.
The striking waterfall can be seen from a distance, cascading down the rocky hillside surrounded by green hills. It’s a short walk from the parking area and one of the lovely surprises along Iceland’s Ring Road, well worth a quick stop to enjoy the views and take a few photos.
Highlights:
- Beautiful cascading waterfall
- Easy stop along Route 1
- Surrounding mountain and countryside views
- A convenient place to stretch your legs during a long drive
Arrival: 11 am
Stop 2: Dettifoss – Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall
After a scenic 1.5 hrs drive from Rjúkandi Waterfall, we arrived at Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Iceland.
Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park and famous for the tremendous volume of glacial water rushing into the dramatic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
We visited the west side and explored the different viewpoints. There are access routes on both sides of the waterfall, so check road conditions before you go. Be careful near the canyon edges, as the ground can be slippery. More snaps and info here.
Highlights:
- Powerful cascades
- Dramatic canyon views
- Impressive volcanic rock formations
- Incredible landscape photography
Arrival: 1 pm
Stop 3: Hverir Geothermal Area – Stepping Onto Another Planet
Our next stop was Hverir Geothermal Area, about a 30 mins drive from Dettifoss, near Lake Mývatn.
The landscape looked like another planet! The ground was covered in shades of orange, yellow, brown, and gray, with steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral deposits. The strong smell of sulfur was hard to miss! We also enjoyed the views of Námafjall Mountain, which made the scenery even more impressive.
Hverir was a fascinating place to see Iceland’s geothermal activity up close. More pictures and info here.
Highlights:
- Bubbling mud pools
- Steaming vents
- Colorful mineral deposits
- Views of Námafjall Mountain
- Short walks along marked paths
Arrival: around 2:30 pm
Stop 4: Earth Lagoon Mývatn (Mývatn Nature Baths) – A Relaxing Geothermal Break
The next stop was Mývatn Nature Baths, just a 5 mins drive from Hverir. It felt so refreshing to soak in the warm geothermal water surrounded by volcanic scenery. It was a lovely spot to take a break and relax.
Highlights:
- Warm geothermal waters
- Beautiful volcanic views
- A relaxing break during the road trip
Arrival: 3:30 pm
Stop 5: Hverfjall Volcano – A Dramatic Crater Shaped by Fire
Our next stop was Hverfjall Volcano, just a 15 mins drive from Mývatn Nature Baths. Its huge, dark, almost perfectly circular crater makes it a standout feature of the Lake Mývatn region.
We had planned to hike up to the crater rim, but unfortunately, it was raining, so we decided to skip the hike and head to our next stop.
Highlights:
- Impressive volcanic crater
- Views of the surrounding landscape
- Scenic drive around the crater
- Hiking trail to the crater rim (weather permitting)
Arrival: 4:45 pm
Stop 6: Dimmuborgir – A Maze of Volcanic Formations
Next stop was Dimmuborgir, less than a 10 mins drive from Hverfjall Volcano. It is famous for its unusual lava formations with twisted rocks, arches, and caves making this unique volcanic landscape.
Explore more: Hverfjall, Dimmuborgir & Lake Mývatn
Highlights:
- Unusual lava formations
- Natural arches and caves
- Easy walking trails
- Unique volcanic scenery
Arrival: 5 pm
Stop 7: Lake Mývatn Viewpoints and Skútustaðagígar – Volcanic Landscapes and Beautiful Lakeside Views
Our next stop was Skútustaðagígar, near the Mývatn Visitor Center, less than a 15 mins drive from Dimmuborgir. Along the way, we passed viewpoints overlooking Lake Mývatn and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Skútustaðagígar is known for its unusual volcanic pseudocraters. Unfortunately, it was raining and the sky was very dark, so we had to skip the walk around them. Even so, it was another interesting stop in the beautiful Lake Mývatn region.
Highlights:
- Panoramic views of Lake Mývatn
- Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
- Unique volcanic scenery
- Beautiful photo opportunities
Arrival: Around 5:30 pm
Stop 8: Goðafoss – The Waterfall of the Gods
After exploring the Lake Mývatn area, we headed to Goðafoss, our next stop and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Iceland.
Known as the Waterfall of the Gods, Goðafoss is located along Route 1 between Lake Mývatn and Akureyri. Its curved shape and turquoise water rushing over the rocks make it a beautiful sight. We loved how different it looked from Dettifoss, which we visited earlier in the day.
We spent some time enjoying the views and taking photos from different viewpoints. It was a lovely stop before heading to Akureyri to end our day. Explore more here.
Highlights:
- Powerful horseshoe-shaped waterfall
- Beautiful cascading water
- Scenic river and canyon views
- Impressive basalt rock formations
- Stunning photography opportunities
Arrival: 6 pm
Final Stop: Akureyri – Ending the Day in Iceland’s Northern Capital
After a full day exploring waterfalls, geothermal areas, and volcanic landscapes, we finally arrived in Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland.
Unfortunately, the weather was chilly and drizzly, so we decided to skip exploring the town and relax at our hotel instead. The beautiful mountain views, fjords and peaceful surroundings made it a lovely place. After such a long day on the road, it felt good to slow down, relax and embrace the scenery.
Even though we didn’t get to explore much of Akureyri this time, it was lovely to return to this charming northern town and enjoy its beautiful surroundings.
It was a quiet and relaxing end to our Diamond Circle adventure.
Read more and see more photos: Driving Iceland’s Ring Road: Egilsstaðir to Akureyri.
Arrival: Around 1:15 pm
Mapping Our Journey: From Egilsstaðir to Akureyri
To give a better sense of our journey, this map shows our route from Egilsstaðir in East Iceland to Akureyri in North Iceland. Unlike the classic Diamond Circle route, we started farther east and finished in Akureyri, making it a slightly different road trip through North Iceland.
Is This Itinerary Realistic?
Yes, especially during summer, when the long daylight hours give you more time to explore.
We did this trip in June, but starting in Egilsstaðir made it a long day on the road. If you want more time to enjoy the stops around Lake Mývatn, consider staying overnight in the area or starting from Akureyri and following the traditional Diamond Circle route.
Conclusion: A Day of Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and Geothermal Wonders
Our Diamond Circle adventure was full of beautiful contrasts, from the powerful Dettifoss to the steaming mud pools of Hverir and the stunning landscapes around Lake Mývatn.
It was a long day, especially starting from Egilsstaðir, but the scenery made it worthwhile. Ending the day in Akureyri, surrounded by mountains and beautiful views, was a lovely way to finish our road trip.
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