Route 1 and Beyond - A Self-Drive Guide to Iceland: The South East

If you've opted for an anti-clockwise circuit of Route 1, this eBook is your guide to Iceland's stunning South East.

The eastern reaches of Suðurland are a mesmerising wonderland of spectacular scenery rich in contrasts.

As you travel further east, you’ll approach Vatnajökull National Park , which covers a tenth of the country and is home to Europe’s largest glacier.

The treasures of South East Iceland include ghostly glacier lagoons, winding river canyons, countless waterfalls, and multi-coloured mountains made of basalt and rhyolite.

Visited in the past by the Romans, Vikings, Celts, and Barbary pirates, the South East is a peaceful and sparsely populated region.

You’ll see just a handful of small communities clinging to the coastal fringes here as you pass by.

Glacier Lagoons - see how icebergs calve from glaciers and form fantastic shapes
The most sublime sight you’ll see in the South East is the dazzling glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón .

Massive icebergs calve from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float serenely around the lagoon, sometimes for years, before heading towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Nearby is the fabulous Diamond Beach .

Here, you’ll find iceberg splinters scattered on another black sand beach, carved into strange shapes by fierce winds and the relentless Atlantic waves.

Dominating the skyline inland is the icy vastness of Vatnajökull National Park, one of three national parks in Iceland and by far the largest.

Majestic Mountains and Colourful Canyons - discover dramatic mountain peaks and twisting river canyons
See the Stokksnes headland, home to the moody mountain of Vestrahorn , with its jagged pinnacles soaring over sweeping black sand beaches.

Not far from the Ring Road near Kirkjubæjarklaustur lies the stunning Fjaðrárgljúfur river canyon, a winding green gorge that sweeps down to the coast.

Take a look - you'll see!