Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle in Winter

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Are you curious about driving Iceland’s Golden Circle in winter? Are you an adventurous soul curious about embarking on an independent winter road trip to the Golden Circle? Driving the Golden Circle in winter offers benefits such as fewer crowds at Iceland’s most-visited sites, including Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. However, it is arguably more challenging with extreme weather, icy conditions, and limited daylight hours. 

In this guide, I cover everything you need to know to drive Iceland’s Golden Circle in winter. The Golden Circle covers some of Iceland’s most iconic sites. With advanced planning and realistic expectations, it is easy to do independently as part of a winter campervan or road trip itinerary.

But for those who want a little extra support, I’ll suggest some guided tours at the end of this post. However, this guide complements my full 5-day Iceland Winter Itinerary and includes an alternate route for those looking to explore beyond the Golden Circle. 

It’s amazing that in just under 300km, Iceland has more packed into its Golden Circle than bits per pixel. With a continental divide, the birthplace of the Icelandic government, geysers, waterfalls, a National Park, hot springs, and volcanoes, it is easy to see why this area is so popular. 

We visited in mid-January as part of a 5-day campervan road trip to see Iceland’s highlights, including the Golden Circle. While it was certainly cold, we had nearly every site to ourselves, making this winter road trip experience a great choice for intrepid travelers taking advantage of Icelandair’s stopover program.

What is even better about the Golden Circle is that it can all be done in one day. With just a quick 35-minute drive from Reykjavik, even if you only have a few days as a stopover in Iceland, you’ll have time to see the highlights, even with limited daylight hours. 

There are plenty of tours that depart from Reykjavik, but if you’re following my full 5-day tour, you’ll have rented a 4×4 or campervan. 

P.S. Sorry about my dated and grainy photos. I visited in 2016 with an old camera phone and an old camera in average weather. This post has been updated to include relevant, up-to-date information, that is more modern than my photos.

Important Things to Know about the Golden Circle

Traveling in Iceland in winter, might not be for everyone. Snow blizzards, extremely icy roads, strong winds, road closures, and limited daylight hours make this trip challenging. However, there are some really great benefits to traveling Iceland in winter. Knowing what to expect and preparing for visiting Iceland in winter will ensure you have the best experience.

Car Rental for the Golden Circle

When traveling in Iceland in winter, you absolutely should rent a 4×4. We had a Dodge Durango 4×4 converted into a campervan. This heavy, sturdy van can withstand cold, ice, and wind. 

I recommend KuKu Camper Car and Van Rental for their local expertise and sturdy 4×4 campervans, which are well-suited for winter. If you are not camping or campervanning and are on a road trip staying in cabins or other accommodations, you will still want a 4×4. You can find the best rates with the booking.com rental car option. 

Driving and Safety in Iceland’s Golden Circle

As an expert winter driver who grew up in Alaska, let me tell you – the Icelandic winters are no joke. 

You will encounter strong enough winds to rip a small car door off its hinges or push a lighter Front Wheel Drive car across ice. I thought the people at Kuku Campers were joking about the car door getting ripped off until I saw it happen to a smaller car in a parking lot. 

Be prepared for volatile, unpredictable weather that can change on a dime. If you are not comfortable driving in winter or in hazardous conditions with low visibility, I suggest booking a guided tour. Don’t miss my complete guide for everything you need to know about renting and driving a car in Iceland in winter.

Timing Your Golden Circle Trip

While Iceland is known for long, summer days, ideal for road tripping the entire Ring Road, winter is an entirely different story. Depending on when in winter you visit, you will likely only have 3-4 hours of daylight each day. 

Timing and logistics are everything on this trip. To make the most of your Golden Circle road trip, you will need to leave from Reykjavik before sunrise.

With a 35-minute drive to the first stop, most of the drive will be in the dark, and you want to time to arrive at the first stop just as dawn breaks. Then you will have a few hours to see the sights of the Golden Circle before it gets dark again. 

You will need to keep your time at most stops to a minimum. Just enough time to see the major highlights before you run out of daylight. 

Around dusk, you will likely visit a hot spring before settling into your campervan or accommodation of choice. 

If you leave too early, you will miss some of the iconic sites. If you leave too late, you will run out of daylight hours.

Responsible Travel at the Golden Circle

Iceland’s ecosystem may not look like much with flat lands covered in snow in winter. However, these Arctic climates are some of the most vulnerable and sensitive on our planet.

The moss covered lava fields are incredibly rare and if damaged can take hundreds of years to recover. With little daylight most of the year, and cold conditions, vegetation is very slow to grow.

It is so important to stay on designated trails, never drive off road, and follow all signs and rules.

Since the Icelandair stopover program Iceland has grappled with a sudden and explosive growth in tourism numbers. This happened before the country could develop adequate infrastructure and protect their ecosystems. Be kind, courteous to both people and nature when you visit Iceland.

Iceland Winter Road Trip to the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle was the second day of our five-day Iceland winter itinerary. We spent the first day and night in Reykjavik. We checked out of Loft Hi-Eco Hostel, where we had a private room in a cozy, clean, and affordable stay.  

We had packed our campervan and were ready to go just before dawn, so we were at the Golden Circle for daybreak.

Stop 1: Thingvellir National Park

The first stop on our tour is Thingvellir National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir is also where the modern Icelandic government developed—the perfect blend of nature and history. 

The park is between two tectonic plates that are splitting apart; you can stroll right down the middle or even snorkel among the plates in Iceland’s biggest lake. Turning off from highway 36 on the Thingvellir exit, you’ll find yourself at the visitor center, where you can learn about the history, warm up if it’s winter, and enjoy a charming gift shop.

Right outside the visitor center, the Almannagjá trail begins. If you prefer to stay on dry land, this is a walk-through of the two tectonic plates. The walk can be as long or as short as you want it to be, winding over river beds and around the lake. The first part of the walk starts at a higher elevation and descends toward Lögberg (Law Rock), a notable highlight. 

Law Rock was the site where people from across Iceland traveled to hear the laws read by the Lawspeaker. Here they would stay up to date on laws, developments, and share information and resources. 

Law Rock served as the government’s headquarters from the 900s until the 1200s. A large Icelandic flag is located at the suspected site. Sadly, the flag was not flying when we were there due to extreme winds. 

But you can continue the walk around the lake to the Thingvellir Church. On your way back to Highway 36, feel free to stop by Öxarárfoss, which is the head waterfall of the river Öxarár, leading to Thingveillir Lake.

In winter, this walk offers low elevation gain and a clearly marked path. As one of the most popular sites in the National Park, it is generally well-maintained but remains cold, and the path can be icy.

Make sure you are dressed in layers, including your base, mid, and wind- and rainproof outer layer, and have microspikes for your shoes, if needed. 

For snorkelers, this location holds a unique diving experience. Not only can one snorkel between two tectonic plates, but with some of the clearest water in the world, you can see up to 100m down. You will need to book a guided tour to do this, with appropriate cold-water gear.

Before you leave the national park, make sure you stop at Hrafnagjá Observation Deck. A quick roadside stop is the perfect opportunity to get a bird’s-eye view of the tectonic fissure. This will likely be snow-covered, but the boardwalk will still be easy to walk on.

Stop 2: Geysir and Stokkur Geyser

The next stop is the famous Geysir area, home to the Stokkur Geyser, which erupts every 5-10 minutes. 

You may have only heard of Geysir, but once Iceland’s most famous Geyser is considered dormant today; it last erupted in the year 2000 following an earthquake. There are many theories as to why it is dormant. I read that it was from human interference and/or seismic activity. 

For this reason, the reliable Stokkur Geyser has been protected by the Icelandic government, so it continues to erupt right on schedule! 

If you missed the first eruption, don’t worry, another one is coming, which is excellent for photo opportunities!

Walking up to the Geysers, you’ll notice a stream coming out of the ground. As you continue your driving tour through Iceland, look for little houses that use the thermal energy and steam to power the entire country! The parking lot is on the right side of the highway, with another fantastic gift store. The geysers are just a short walk across the highway to the left.

Stop 3: Gullfoss

You’ll quickly learn that Foss=waterfall and they’re all over Iceland, but none quite like the mighty Gullfoss. Just 10 minutes from the Geysers, we’re about halfway through the Golden Circle, but there’s plenty to explore here. 

Gullfoss makes you feel so insignificant as you approach for photos. Make sure you take advantage of all the walking trails to access the waterfall from different viewpoints.

When we were there, it was so windy and icy that the wind blew me over several times, and I was too scared to get close to the edge, but this powerhouse is a beauty! Don’t forget your microspikes!

Bonus Stops, Horses!

Make sure to keep your eye out for these adorable Icelandic ponies. There are a few access points near the geyser where you can walk up and pet them. The Icelandic pony is hardy to survive in these conditions, but adorable! 

They’re very friendly, but please don’t feed them or harass them in any way. They are cared for by farmers.

Choices, Choices, Choices – Back to Reykjavik or Along the South Coast?

Here you will have a few choices. If you are doing the Golden Circle in one day and heading back to Reykjavik for the night, continue to stop 4, 5, and 6. 

If you are following my 5-day itinerary, you will skip 4-6, and heading to Stop 7, Secret Lagoon, before continuing along the south coast. In this case, you will see stops 4-6 on the itinerary’s final day.

Stop 4: Kerið Crater

For those returning to Reykjavík on a day trip, you can head back toward the city, stopping by Kerið Crater Lake. The crater lake is hard to see in winter, and honestly, it is much better in summer (or so the photos indicate; we saw much less). But it is still worth a quick stop just to see it! 

Stop 5: Raufarhólshellir, Iceland (Tour Required Now)

UPDATE: It is no longer legal to enter this cave on your own due to safety reasons. You must enter with a local guide.

The best part about using a guide that there is now supporting infrastructure inside like a boardwalk and safe entrance. These tours are also educational, so help you learn about the natural history.

You can book a 1-hour tour that starts at the Lava Caves on their website. Time this with you estimated arrival as you complete the Golden Circle winter driving route.

Stop 6: Blue | Sky Lagoon

There’s nothing better than ending the long day on the road out in the cold than soaking in a nice warm thermal bath. While we stopped at the Secret Lagoon and continued along the south coast, those heading back toward Reykjavik may want to head to the famous Blue Lagoon, or the new Sky Lagoon.

Both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, are modern and luxurious experiences. They are both a great choice in winter to warm that deep cold that seeps in after a day of exploring Iceland in winter. 

The benefit of Sky Lagoon is that it is closer to Reykjavik, while Blue Lagoon is closer to the airport.

You will want to reserve your spot online, in advance. Return to Reykjavík and your cozy Hi Eco Hostel for another night.

Stop 7: (Alternate route): Secret Lagoon

If you are continuing with our five-day tour, you’ll be cutting the Golden Circle short and stopping at the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. The Secret Lagoon is an intimate evening experience in a real Icelandic Lagoon. 

When we visited back in 2016, it was a quiet and relatively unknown thermal bath. While it has grown in popularity over the years, it remains a more intimate, local experience than the Blue Lagoon.  Enjoy a glass of wine while you relax in the warm waters after a full day.

Check out my review of Secret Lagoon, which is my favorite established Lagoon in Iceland!

Where to Stay (Alternate Route)

You can stay in Flúðir, as there are lots of cozy cottages, but progressing toward the South Coast and finding a cozy cottage anywhere around Skogafoss or Vik may be a better choice to make the most of limited daylight hours.

If you are campervanning and looking for a campsite, keep in mind that some sites are closed in winter. Worry not though, there are still lots of great options. The website Tjalda is the best place to find campsites open year round with the amenities you will need. 

I suggest booking at Skogafoss Campsite so you can continue on with our 5-day itinerary seamlessly.

Free Map Golden Circle Driving Tour

Don’t miss my free map of the Golden Circle highlights!

Book a Guided Winter Tour of the Golden Circle

If you’re not keen on driving independently especially considering the winter conditions, then there are plenty of guided day tours of the Golden Circle.

The great thing about these tours is that you will have an expert local guide. Additionally, some of them add on novel winter experiences like the chance to try to see the Northern Lights or alternate activity if there are no lights.

Share Golden Circle Iceland Winter Driving Route

Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle in winter is not for the faint of heart. But for those keen on embarking on a full day adventure to see some of Iceland’s top sites, winter can be a gear time to avoid crowds and enjoy frosty frozen landscapes. 

The Golden Circle has all the best experiences in Iceland, from the natural and cultural heritage found at Thingviller National Park, to the mighty geological powers of the Geysers, to the powerfall Gulfoss and beyond. The Golden Circle is the perfect winter day trip from Reykjavik or day 1 on a 5-day winter road trip adventure. 

Are you brave enough to face the elements and enjoy the Golden Circle in winter? Share this to your Iceland travel planning board!

Planning a trip to Iceland in winter? I’ve got you covered!

• Iceland 5-Day Winter Campervan Roadtrip Itinerary
• Renting and Driving a car/camper in Iceland in Winter
• Iceland’s Secret Lagoon
• Kuku Camper Campervan Rental Review
• 24-Hours in Reykjavik in Winter