Today’s journey is one of the longest on the Ring Road adventure, taking you from the rugged beauty of North Iceland all the way to the stunning landscapes of the Southeast. You’ll cover around 350 km, which takes about 4–5 hours of drive time without any detours. But the road offers plenty of tempting side trips — we’ve listed 3–4 detours you might want to explore, depending on how leisurely or quickly you’d like to reach Höfn, your final stop for the day. Some of our personal favorites are just ahead!
Stuðlagil Canyon – This jaw-dropping canyon is one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland — and for good reason. It’s just a short detour off the Ring Road: turn onto Route 923 and follow Google Maps to “Stuðlagil Canyon Parking.” The drive from the Ring Road is about 19 km, and you’ll want to allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the full experience.
Now here’s the important part: there are two sides to Stuðlagil Canyon, and most visitors end up at the wrong one. Google Maps often directs people to the west side, where tour buses stop. While there is a viewpoint here overlooking the canyon (and amenities like a campground, bathrooms for a fee, and a food truck), you won’t be able to hike down or see the canyon from the iconic lower perspective you’ve likely seen in photos. For that picture-perfect view, you’ll want to visit the east side, which offers access to the canyon floor and those famous basalt columns — a much more rewarding stop if you’re up for a short hike.
To reach the iconic photo spots down in Stuðlagil Canyon, you’ll need to start from the East side trailhead. As you drive along Route 923 for about 25 minutes, keep an eye out for a sign pointing left to “Stuðlagil Canyon.” Turn there and follow the road for a short stretch. At this point, the road gets a bit rough — it’s a bumpy dirt track. If you’re confident your vehicle can handle it, continue across the small bridge to the main parking lot. If not, you can park before the bridge and walk from there, but keep in mind this will add about 30 minutes each way to your hike.
The trail itself runs high above the river the whole time, offering scenic views as you go. Along the way, you’ll pass Stuðlagil Waterfall, a beautiful bonus that doesn’t require any detour. It’s only at the very end of the trail that you’ll descend down into the canyon, where the dramatic basalt columns and turquoise water create the unforgettable views that make this spot so famous.
Rjúkandi Waterfall – Just a few minutes past the turnoff for Stuðlagil Canyon, you’ll find Rjúkandi Waterfall — a beautiful, often-overlooked stop that’s literally right off the Ring Road. There’s a small pull-off for parking, marked as “Rjúkandafoss Parking” on Google Maps, making it an easy and worthwhile stop. No hiking required — you can enjoy this stunning cascade with just a short walk from your car.
Puffins at Borgarfjörður eystri – If you’re in Iceland between mid-April and mid-August, you’re in puffin season — and while there are several places to spot these adorable birds, Borgarfjörður eystri is hands-down one of the best. What makes it special? It’s incredibly safe — both for visitors and for the puffins. You’ll explore the area on elevated boardwalks and viewing platforms, which let you get remarkably close without disturbing their fragile burrows.
Getting here is a bit of a detour: it’s a 3-hour round trip from Egilsstaðir, adding about 150 km to your day. But the journey is part of the magic — the drive takes you through a remote and stunning stretch of East Iceland that most travelers miss. So even though it adds time, it’s not just about the puffins — it’s a chance to experience a peaceful, scenic corner of the country that feels like a secret.
Seyðisfjörður – Another detour — and one of my personal favorites — is the charming town of Seyðisfjörður, nestled deep in the Eastfjords. Just a 30-minute drive (27 km) from Egilsstaðir, this little town feels like something out of a storybook, with colorful wooden houses, dramatic mountains, and a peaceful fjord setting.
Seyðisfjörður is also Iceland’s ferry port to mainland Europe, connecting to the Faroe Islands and Denmark — so it has a unique vibe, blending small-town Icelandic charm with a hint of international flavor. Whether you’re stopping for a stroll, coffee, or just to snap a few photos, many travelers say this is one of the must-see gems on the Ring Road.
Surrounded by towering mountains, shimmering fjord views, and rows of colorful houses, Seyðisfjörður feels like it’s been lifted straight out of a fairytale. And yes — the little blue church at the end of Rainbow Street is every bit as magical as it sounds. If you’re after peace, authenticity, and pure Icelandic charm, this is the place to find it.
We had the pleasure of stopping here for lunch at a cozy local spot called Kaffi Lára El Grillo Bar. I went with the foil-baked cod, perfectly cooked and paired with a crisp Icelandic beer, while Anshu chose the beetroot burger — fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly hearty. The best part? We got to enjoy it all from the patio, right on Rainbow Street, with the view of the iconic blue church in the background. Pure bliss. We ended up spending about two hours in Seyðisfjörður — and honestly, it flew by. Between the charm, the food, and the scenery, we lost track of time and soon realized we were running behind on our schedule. But that’s the thing about Iceland — every detour feels worth it.
As we continued along the coastal route, Google Maps suggested a shortcut — and we decided to take it. This led us to the Öxi mountain pass, a 19 km gravel road that winds over the mountains at the head of Berufjörður. It’s a seasonal shortcut between Egilsstaðir and Djúpivogur, shaving off about 70 km compared to staying on the coastal Ring Road.
The views from the pass were absolutely stunning — raw, remote, and dramatic — but fair warning: the road is narrow, unpaved, and not ideal in poor weather or fog. It’s also not recommended for nervous drivers, and it’s closed during winter. But if the conditions are right and you’re up for a bit of adventure, Öxi is a breathtaking way to cut some time off your drive.
While Google Maps and other GPS systems often list the Öxi Pass as the shortest route — which is true during the summer months — it’s really important not to follow directions blindly. We made that mistake ourselves. It was raining and already getting dark when we decided to take the chance and drive the Öxi Pass.
The road was incredibly narrow, and with almost zero visibility, one of us was practically leaning out the window just to see if there was any road ahead. Those 45 minutes were by far the most stressful part of our entire Iceland adventure. We breathed a huge sigh of relief when we finally reached the coastal road at the end of the pass.
Our advice? Think twice before taking this route. Check the weather, consider the time of year, and only go if you’re comfortable with challenging driving conditions.
Next up: Stokksnes Peninsula
Located on Iceland’s southeastern coast, Stokksnes is nothing short of breathtaking. Dominated by the towering Vestrahorn Mountain, this rugged peninsula is a dream destination for photographers and nature lovers alike. You’ll find dramatic black sand beaches, jagged cliffs, and sweeping vistas that perfectly capture Iceland’s wild, untamed spirit. One of the highlights here is the Viking Village — a striking historical set that gives you a glimpse into Iceland’s past. It’s also gained fame as a filming location for shows like The Witcher: Blood Origin, making it a must-see for both history buffs and pop culture fans.
Stokksnes is easy to reach by car, though there is an entrance fee. Facilities include the cozy Viking Cafe, where you can warm up and grab a bite. The peninsula is open all year round, but if you’re visiting in winter, be sure to prepare for icy roads and chilly conditions.
It was definitely a long day — over 10 hours on the road, with all the detours, rain, and thick fog slowing us down. We finally wrapped up in the cozy town of Höfn, settling into our charming Airbnb, Sauðanes Guesthouse. You can easily find it on Airbnb — it’s a quaint little spot with several rooms and a shared kitchen and dining area.
After a quick homemade meal, we gathered around the table to chat about our plans for the next day before turning in for some well-deserved rest.
Two Yellow Jackets 