Best Day Trip
The Reykjanes Route
Photo by Art Bicnick
This sample platter of Iceland’s offerings got kicked up a notch with recent volcanic activity (you may have heard about the eruptions at Geldingadalir and Meradalir in 2021 and 2022, respectively). This quick drive takes you on a route along the sweeping blue lake of Kleifarvatn. It takes you past charming ruins, geothermal hot springs, beautiful rock formations, snowy peaks and, yes, the occasional jets of spurting magma (N.B. no volcanoes are erupting at the moment). Best of all: it’s free if you’ve already got your rental car sorted out.
Runner-Up:
Sólheimajökull
photo by Art Bicnick
At only 100 miles (160 km) from Reykjavík, this is one of the two glaciers closest to our bustling metropolis and a favorite among the locals. An imposing sight, made all the more so when you consider that you’re walking on top of the infamous volcano Katla, which last erupted 100 years ago and is overdue for a comeback. Sólheimajökull’s popularity is helped by it being one of the most accessible glaciers, as it’s both fairly easy to find and to scale the side. That being said, we recommend that you go with experienced guides to avoid being put in cold storage in a glacial crevice until Katla finally erupts through the ice cover, sending you flying back to Reykjavík.
Runner-Up:
Hellisgerði
photo by Art Bicnick
This tiny enchanted rock garden 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavík is the perfect place to zen out on a sunny day. With a café, small pond and moss-covered lava rocks, they have taken care not to curtail the savage charm of Hafnarfjörður’s lava fields. And it’s probably for the best, since the rocks there are said to be home to the hidden people (known as elves to the normos).
Previous Winners
2022: Geldingadalir Volcano
2021: Geldingadalir Volcano
2020: Reykjanes
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