10 Detour Worthy Stops in Iceland
Iceland may be built for straight lines and quick loops, but Old Sport travelers know the real magic lives just off-route. These are the stops that invite you to linger, to breathe in the untamed beauty. They’re the quiet moments tucked between the dramatic landscapes — where the air is crisper, the light softer, and the experience, utterly personal. This isn’t a checklist; it’s a curated list of locations where the detour leads to silence, awe, texture, and maybe a little bit of tomato soup. Because the main road is only a suggestion.
Studlagil
📍 East Iceland, near Egilsstaðir
A surreal basalt column canyon with turquoise water when the water levels are right.
Often missed due to being a bit out of the way — and honestly, that's the best part.
Tip: The view is better from the east side trail if you're up for a bit of a walk.
2. Hvitserkur
📍 Northwest coast
A 15-meter high rock that looks like a rhino drinking from the sea.
Moody, windy, and totally cinematic.
Bonus: Seals love the area, so don’t be surprised if a few cheeky flippers make an appearance in your shots.
3. Kvernufoss
📍 Near Skógafoss but hidden
A lesser-known waterfall you can walk behind — no tour buses here.
Tucked in a gorge, it’s the quiet sibling to its famous neighbor.
Feels like: Discovering a waterfall that’s meant for only you and your camera.
4. Seyðisfjörður
📍 East Iceland fjord town
Colorful wooden houses, epic fjord views, and an artsy vibe.
Feels like a Scandinavian Wes Anderson set.
Bonus: Iconic rainbow road leading to a blue church.
5. Seljavallalaug
📍 South Coast
Iceland’s oldest pool, built in the 1920s. It feels like a place time passed by politely.
Surrounded by wild cliffs, you’ll think you just stepped into an episode of Game of Thrones.
Travel Note: The pool is not maintained (read: rustic charm, algae included). Bring a towel and a romantic disregard for modernity.
6. Brúarfoss
📍 Golden Circle (ish), Southwest Iceland
A hidden gem with shockingly blue water.
Reached by a peaceful riverside trail, it's more of a meander than a hike — and worth every step.
Bonus: You’ll feel like you’ve discovered something secret (because, well, you kind of have).
7. Freidheimer
📍 Golden Circle
Peak Icelandic coziness—part farm, part restaurant, part design moment.
Pair that with their famous tomato soup (served in a bread bowl, naturally), and you’ve got a culinary moment worthy of a slow clap.
Tip: Reserve a table ahead. Try the tomato beer.
8. Loftsalahellircave
📍 South Coast
Cliffside cave with a perfect arched entrance that frames the landscape.
Historically used for gatherings and storytelling, it now feels like a place made for quiet posing and postcard-worthy silhouettes.
Tip: Short climb from the roadside - wear solid shoes.
9. Fjadrarglijufur Canyon
📍 South Coast
A fairytale carved in moss. The canyon is winding, green, and wildly photogenic - like something you dreamed once and half-remembered.
Detour tip: Take the upper path for sweeping view or walk the lower path for texture.
10. Hengifoss
📍 Eastern Iceland
One of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, framed by rugged cliffs.
Striking layers of volcanic rock and sediment steal the show.
Vibe: Pure Icelandic drama.
Final Note
Iceland rewards the curious. Sometimes the best moments come after a turnoff you almost missed. Some of the best places aren’t pinned or paved—they’re whispered about in cafés or passed along in notebooks. This list isn’t definitive, just devoted. A little worn at the edges. The kind you keep in your glove box.
So here’s to detours - and how they often lead us exactly where we need to be.