Wild Atlantic Way - from Loop Head to Sligo
7days
road tripping
1700km
driven
0
leprechaun
The Wild Atlantic Way is 2500km of road along the wild west coast of Ireland. This road extends from Kinsale in the south to Malin Head in the north. It allows one to discover many Irish counties and many hidden gems to which the Wild Atlantic Way leads us by following its well-founded logo.
I had only a short week of vacation, so it was impossible to do the entire Wild Atlantic Way. So I decided to limit my wanderings between Limerick and more precisely Loop Head and Sligo by taking my time in Connemara that I wanted to discover especially.
Day 1 - from Paris to Loop Head
Departure 09 March at 13h from Charles de Gaulle with Aer Lingus. As I will be in the car I am not travelling especially light, so I leave well loaded.
The flight is fast (about 1h30), just enough to take a nap. Arrival in Dublin happens smoothly and I go to the car rental company after getting my luggage. And here the first surprise: I had found a rental at a really good price by cons what to read in the small lines is that a security deposit of 1500 € was requested! Obviously I did not have them on my account, so I had to pay 160 € extra (equivalent to the rental price) to lower the deposit to 300 € …
Check the security deposits required when renting your vehicle. Also, be careful with the insurance supplements that we will try to sell you and that ultimately does not (necessarily) change much. For my part I use a GOLD card (free with most banks today) which allows to have additional insurance in case of damage on the car.
Well, after that I get the car, a brand new VW Golf. I’ll be pretty good in there. I take possession of the premises and this is where the difficulties begin: DRIVING LEFT IN IRELAND !! It will therefore be necessary to go directly reality (note the number of times that this “detail” is recalled at the airport, down to the toilet …). I have already driven to the left but in a French car, there I will have to manage the direction of traffic and the shift of gears on the left !!
So I start in the traffic around the airport and then on the M50, a kind of Dublin outskirt. At first I feel like relearning to drive: I do not see the signs, I’m struggling with the gears, I have rotten trajectories, … Fortunately the GPS is there to guide me … I’m quickly on the N7 then the M7 which allows me to “relax” a little driving level …
I will pass on the crossing of Ireland to Limerick. All I can say is that it is surprisingly fast (2: 30-3: 00).
I leave the “big roads” a little after Limerick towards Ennis to join the N68 in direction of Kilkee, small town by the sea. The road already dwarfs and it requires more concentration.
In the end I arrive in Kilkee around 18:30. The city is calm, there are not many people in the streets. The waterfront is nice but not stunning.
I stop to take a little air and make my plans for the evening: initially I wanted to sleep in a campsite in the city but it is not at all by the sea and, is above all composed of mobile homes and caravans … not great. As it is still early I will go to Loop Head and I will improvise on the spot.
It is at this moment that I really get the Wild Atlantic Way and that really begins the journey. The roads, out of town, are tiny! Fortunately there are not many people and I can get used to this. From the exit of Kilkee, one falls on a beautiful line of vertiginous cliffs. I stop already for taking some pictures. Small parenthesis: I was marked these first days by the smell very special (not bothersome or unpleasant) in these areas of cliff. I’m not sure but I think it’s due to the nesting seabird colonies.
The road leads nicely to Loop Head which is on a head. The landscapes are made up of fields, very green, it is an agricultural region. The weather is nice.
Loop Head and its lighthouse are unveiled quickly at the end of the road. The car park is almost empty, I will be able to enjoy serenely the place. The lighthouse is nice, there is the caretaker’s house next door and some technical buildings I guess. The whole is surrounded by a low wall.
The head is beautiful, it is surrounded by high cliffs with a lot of birds that nest there. Unfortunately my camera lens does not allow to make satisfactory photographs of the volatiles … I stroll taking advantage of the quietude of the late afternoon.
In the end, I choose to stay here for the night, there is nobody and it is not a small tent that will annoy anyone. So I settle the camp just beside the cliff and I prepare to eat, but, small detail, I forgot to buy gas for my stove … Fortunately there is a van that “camps” on the car park, its owner accept to boil some water for me, thanks!
In Ireland and the United Kingdom, wild camping is generally tolerated. On the other hand almost all the land is private, so you must ask the owner before settling your camp, this one will generally accept and will even sometimes advise you about a nice place to stay. The main thing is to not abuse and especially to leave the camp absolutely intact after your departure.
I finish the evening admiring the sunset on the cliffs. While writing my notebook, I am enlightened by the lighthouse of Loop Head, starting point of my journey …
Day 2 - from Loop Head to Galway
This is the first real day on my road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. I’m back on the road quickly after an early morning wake around 6h … There is nobody driving this early; which is ok for me because it leaves me the field to “train” to drive left on the small roads.
The first stop will be at the “Bridge of Ross”, a natural arch on a small stretch of sea and forming behind a small “pirate creek”.
The road then takes me back to Kilkee, I pass quickly. I then follow the coast on pleasant but not marvelous sections. I quickly stop at Spanish Point but the beach is a bit disappointing.
As time passes quickly it is soon 9am and I begin to be hungry. I make a detour off the circuit to Ennystimon, small city on the N67. The city would be nicer if there was no “big” road that crosses it through and on which there is quite a lot of traffic including trucks. All this removes a bit of charm from the pretty colorful facades of pubs and other shops.
I stop at Ginger Lou’s to have a typical “Irish breakfast” consisting of eggs, white and black pudding, bacon, …
I drive in direction on the famous cliffs of Moher after this good break!
These are not far down the road. It feels that it is a big tourist attraction when one sees the size of the car park, the crowd and the price to park: 6 € / adult. However, it is worth it because the cliffs are really beautiful.
The site streches to the north towards the O’Brien Tower and towards the south for a walk along the cliffs. There are a lot of people but it’s not too disturbing but it is surely worth during summer.
I begin my walk to the tower to admire the cliffs to the south. There is a bit of mist but it is really beautiful: the cliffs fall in the sea from the top of their 200m. Many birds also nest there.
I then start the walk that runs along the cliffs towards the south towards Túr an Mhothair, a second tower with a nearby geocache. The walk takes 5.5km to go and is done round trip. There are a lot of people at the start but quickly we leave the (very) arranged path and the “crowd” is diluted. We quickly find ourselves in a calm setting along the vertiginous cliffs.
The pace of walking is not very high because there are pictures to take every 10m …
This walk, which takes about 2h30-3h round trip (with the pictures) is definitely worth it and offers great views. I did not make the tourist center of the cliffs of Moher but I imagine that there must be some interesting infos …
Here we go again ! The Wild Atlantic Way runs along the coast on very small roads heading north. It is very beautiful especially as on the right (towards the east) unveils the moors of the Burren to which I will then take a tour.
Before that I stop at Fanore beach for some pictures.
The road is still pretty and really not wide after Fanore beach. We go through a whole series of small villages, it’s nice.
I fork south following the N67 then the R480 to Ballyvaughan towards the dolmen of Poulnabrone. The R480 evolves in the Burren it’s beautiful. This region is made up of moors with many limestone rocky outcrops with white hues bringing aesthetics to the landscape.
I quickly reach the site of Poulnabrone. There is no one when I arrive, nice. There are some explanatory signs on the way to the dolmen. The latter dates from a period of -4200 to -2900 years, ie from the Neolithic.
The dolmen itself is composed of a large relatively thin slab resting on two vertical stones called “portal stone”. The whole gives the dolmen a portal look indeed.
The site is a grave, 33 resting people have been discovered (adults and children) as well as many artefacts.
It is impressive and beautiful. It’s worth the little detour.
Half turn. I catch up with the Wild Atlantic Way towards Galway. I stop on the way to admire the castle of Dunguaire which is a bit of a model of the kind.
It is about 17:30 and the arrival on Galway will be in the caps of the exit of work. I leave the car in a car park in the city center and I get my room at the Kinlay Hostel. It is a friendly hostel and especially perfectly located in the city (about 20 € per night in dormitory).
Galway is a small town that has charm and looks dynamic. Lots of people in the streets and terraces to enjoy the sun.
I will finish my evening with my first pint of Guinness in a real Irish pub. I will start with the Quays and then I will go to the Taafes bar to listen to traditional music. The atmosphere is very friendly and there is a lot of people even for a weekday.
Day 3 - from Galway to Cilfden
After this soft night rocked by the snoring and the guttural noises of my neighbor of room, I am back on the road a little tired towards Connemara! It is the region I most want to discover during this trip because it looks beautiful and “authentic” even if I do not like this adjective, to say it otherwise I hope the traditional and local Irish culture is still strong.
I am back on the Wild Atlantic Way at the exit of Galway. The beginning of the road is not interesting but slowly the urban density decreases and we begin to perceive the moors of stones of Connemara. The landscape actually changes after the small airfield to Indreabhán. The R336 is following the coast and one passes through pretty villages. In the distance one begins to perceive the hills (big hills of 700m for the biggest ones).
I make a few stops in small seaside villages that offer pretty little ports or beaches of white sand; the whole is very charming.
The road is really getting more and more beautiful especially when you enter the R342. You can see the “Bens” to the north these big hills (or small mountain) that give its character to the Connemara. There are not many people which allows to enjoy the scenery and driving (especially since now I finally master the left-hand drive and especially shifting gears).
As I want to “explore” the Connemara roads, I leave the Wild Atlantic Way a moment to cut through the “Roundstone Bog”. The road that crosses this marsh is absolutely superb and offers a striking panorama. I can not find its name but it is easy to find the bifurcation that leads to it in one direction as in the other.
Following this itinerary you will travel in a moist moorland dotted with lakes with the “Bens” to the north. It is also the first contact with the sheep in semi-freedom. The sheep are almost all accompanied by their lamb because lambing took place not long ago. I take the time to stop, to photograph, to enjoy, it is very beautiful …
Arrived at Ballinaboy, I take the Wild Atlantic Way but south, to cross this portion on the one hand and also to go to the Ben Leitri that I wish “climb”. This portion of the road is also very beautiful and offers beautiful views of the coast, especially the beautiful beach of Port Na Feadoige which gives more to think of Polynesia than Connemara seen the blue color of the water and the white sand …
I recover and turn left on the N59 a little after Ballinafad.
The beginning of the Ben Leitri ascent is located at the youth hostel of the same name a few kilometers to the west (towards Clifden) (GPS coordinates: 53.4728933, -9.8624709). There is room for parking, it is relatively convenient. I start looking for the beginning of the course after changing for the walk and I come across the owner of the youth hostel, an American woman from Los Angeles who has lived in Ireland for 17 years (I no longer have her first name …) with whom I discuss a little about the best way to the summit. She also lends me a card, very nice.
The summit is not very high: 557m but there is not really a path so you have to trace it yourself. The start of the hike goes up well and mostly evolves in sheep meadow with large clumps of grass that destabilize a little walk. We quickly arrive at a kind of shoulder after some small cliffs more difficult to pass. In general people are going westward to get around the summit but I choose to follow this shoulder to the northeast and “shoot” right on top. It looks practicable and I am following the paths traced by the sheep. In any case the landscape that is offered to me to the south is already very beautiful!
The summit is finally reached fairly quickly even if it climbs strongly. In any case no big difficulties for someone who is used to moutains (by cons in rainy weather it must be more complicated because the ground must be slippery).
The view to the summit is sublime as it offers a 360 ° panorama on the Connemara. To the north, the Twelves Bens, west of Roundstone Marshes, south and east the coast and Irish moor. There is nobody I enjoy the moment …
As Ben Leitri’s climb was faster than expected, I decided to push up to Glengower (or Bin Gabhar) (664m) because it will offer another view and that there is only 70m to climb.
The summit offers once again a magnificent view. I take advantage of the moment and silence at the top …
For the descent I will follow a different path passing between Ben Leitri and a secondary summit in a horseshoe valley. No particular difficulty with the descent except small portions of cliffs less practical to pass.
Here the GPS file of the path I followed :
Download file: Ben_leitri_Glengower.gpx© OpenStreetMap contributors
Once back at the hostel, I return the map and take a small tea offered by the owner before heading back to Clifden. I will not stop there because I wanted to go to a campsite where I will spend the night.
So I head towards the “Clifden ecoBeach Camping & Caravanning Park” which offers a large expanse of grass and a nice view for the night. The campsite itself is not extraordinary but it will be ok for the evening. The nice point is the presence of a white sand beach “in” the campsite.
Late evening between meals and reading. I will spend a night of absolute calm in comparison with the previous one in hostel … It is now three days that I am here and I have not had a drop of rain !! Exceptional in Ireland. Hopefully it keeps going like that but the weather should change in the next few days …
Day 4 - from Clifden to Westport
Another beautiful day that begins! It’s early, around 6:30 am, I unset the tent and head back to the Wild Atlantic Way. I go back in direction of Clifden to refuel because I have already done a lot of kilometers.
Before that I fork on the famous Sky Road, a road that runs along the cliff offering beautiful views. Obviously there is nobody at this time so it is nice to drive on these tiny roads.
The “highlight of the show” is the observation area provided at the highest point of the road and allows to admire the coast and the surrounding islands.
As I arrive from the north, I arrive almost in Clifden at the end of the Sky Road. The city, which has charm, is just beginning to wake up. Since it is early and I have time I stop in the main street to have a hearty breakfast based on pancake / bacon with maple syrup …
Small detour to the gas station and I am back again on the Wild Atlantic Way. I am so rigorous to follow it that I find myself again on the Sky Road …
The road then follows the coast and passes through very small tracks. We then join the N59 on which I stay in direction of Letterfrack and Connemara National Park in order to climb Diamond Hill.
The car park is not far from the Visitor Center which is also the beginning of the hike. It is not a very difficult walk and everything is well indicated, so it is to do if you do not want to find yourself in the moor like on the Ben Leitri.
There are quite a few people but the climb dilutes quite a bit. I think on the other hand that at the height of the season there must be crowds …
The summit (442m) reaches quickly and offers a beautiful view again (especially with the beautiful weather). I find there Romain and Cécile (or Céline I have a doubt …), two very friendly Swiss whom I met on the ascent.
We then descend with my Swiss comrades and we rest at the Visitor Center for a coffee in the company of small birds who understood that the tourist are nice with them …
Then I head for Kylemore Abbey a few kilometers away.
What a disappointment when I realize that the whole facade or almost is being refurbished and therefore only offers scaffolding to take pictures. Too bad, the place looked nice …
I then turn back to the Wild Atlantic Way. To Tully Cross and Rinvyle. I will also make a hook to the Rynvile Castle but this one is of no interest.
The roads are not really wide on this portion but the scenery is beautiful again.
We then join the N59 to follow Killary Harbor which is, according to some, the only fjord of Ireland while searches think that no … In any case the stretch of water offers a beautiful landscape with the surrounding hills.
The Wild Atlantic Way then goes westward following the R355. One passes by the cascade of Aasleagh which is pretty and one then penetrates in the valley of Doo Lough. Here the road is really beautiful and the landscapes are very wild.
The Wild Atlantic Way then passes through less pleasant roads and villages (everything is relative). I then follow Croagh Patrick, the Holy Mountain of Ireland which I will climb tomorrow.
For now direction Westport to find a place to sleep and go to the Pub.
I take a room at the Old Mill Hostel, a hostel run by two super nice and very accommodating guys. The building is an old granary of the nineteenth which has a lot of cachet. Westport is a pretty village with a lot of activity.
As for the evening, I will spend it at the Matt Molloy pub which is typical and which offers traditional music played every day. A very nice evening with a good atmosphere and good music. I love the mix in pubs because it is really a place where locals meet and are mixed with tourists. It’s friendly, good-spirited and easy to talk to locals.
Day 5 - from Westport to Annagh Head
Early wake up after a relatively short night thanks to my roomates who came back a bit late and a little drunk…
First stage of the day: ascent of Croagh Patrick and its 764m. This mountain is holy in Ireland. According to tradition Saint Patrick would have fasted at the summit for 40 days. It is today a high place of pilgrimage notably the last Sunday of July; 25,000 pilgrims then attempt the summit …
From my side I arrive at the parking lot around 7:45. The latter is located in the village of Murrisk. Obviously the parking is charged … The worry is that it is expensive and that I do not have many coins and the tourist center is closed I can not make change.
I will meet a lot of people on the descent who have had the same problem. You have to provide about 5 € (coins) I think to be comfortable with timing.
I have, finally, the right to stay there until 11am which leaves me 3h return … It is short since the climb is given in 2h30 and the descent in 1h30 in general, I So have to speed!
I begin at around 8h once ready. The beginning of the path is well marked and the path is and will remain totally evident to the top.
The beginning of the road goes up well. It is not very difficult but the repeated passage of thousands of people eroded the path to the rocks. We therefore evolve in a stony ground in which it is better to have good shoes I think (especially for the descent). In spite of this I advance well and I double three walkers who had left a little before me.
We quickly arrive at a flat about 400m. There are some ruins of old buildings, probably originally intended as shelter for the pilgrims …
It is on this portion that one really discovers the pretty conical shape of the mountain. The path here offers a beautiful view thanks to the long white trail to the top.
The last part of the trail is quite steep and, above all, is covered with large, somewhat unstable stone. It is therefore necessary to privilege the edges of the road to go up. In the end it goes well and I arrive at the summit in 1:20 finally! I am happy, I went fast. The advantage is that I am alone and I can therefore enjoy Croagh Patrick in peace. At the top there are some cairns but above all a chapel built in 1905.
The view that the place offers is superb. To the north one can admire the coastline and its innumerable islands, to the south, the Connemara in the distance and the Bens. It is very beautiful especially that the weather is sunny once more (what a chance at this level).
I enjoy a good moment of my summit loneliness before resuming the descent. I crossed the people I doubled on the climb, they are very tired, especially since they have no water, I give them some.
There is no water along the way (or at least I have not seen), so plan well enough to eat and drink but also always go with a raincoat, you never know in Ireland.
For the downhill, I take the quick option: mid-run slipping controlled (more or less) on the rockery, it’s much faster and it does less harm to the knees. I crossed a lot of people who start climbing of which many people not equipped enough (no water for example) … I join the parking at 10:30 am that is 2:30 for the round trip with the break at Summit … Not bad !! I am happy it was a very nice climb.
I take the time to rest a little and then take the road on the Wild Atlantic Way, direction Achill Island. As always the coastal road after Westport offers beautiful views.
So I quickly get to Achill. Although it is an island, it is connected to the land which is convenient. Achill is the largest island in Ireland. It has a particularly rugged coastline, but all this offers beautiful scenery. I did not spend much time on the island but the atmosphere looks calm and serene in the small fishing villages.
Unfortunately I have (finally) been caught by the Irish weather and it rains a lot which obstructs the view a little and limits the use of the camera. On the other hand this bad weather gives a really nice mood to the coast.
The Wild Atlantic Way leads to Keem Bay, the western point of the island. It is a small beach nestled between high cliffs. The road to reach it is not wide and it is difficult to overtake … Stop a little before the final descent if you want a picture of the beach as a whole.
The place is really nice even though there are a few people. There is a lovely stroll up the cliffs to the north. These offer nice views and a very marine atmosphere. Luckily again I realize this walk under a cloudy sky but not rainy!
Once this pleasant stopover, I resume the road on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is also well done because we do not take the same route at the entrance and exit of the island.
After a “shopping” break, I continue north towards Ballycroy. I will make a quick stop at the Visitor Center of Ballycroy National Park for a coffee.
The Wild Atlantic Way then takes us to the Mullet Peninsula where I plan to spend the night. This peninsula, very thin, is almost 30km long in total. Without dwelling on the details I was quite disappointed by the southern part because there are some nice views but not amazing … In all cases, the houses are scattered over the whole peninsula so there is little place of tranquility. Nice thing to do: there is a whole series of sculptures at various points of the peninsula. It is beside one of her that I spend the night on Annagh Head. Since there is a strong wind and it may also rain tonight I prefer not to settle the tent because it will not have time to dry by my departure. I will do the night in the car but generally I sleep well (in any case it was the case in Iceland).
The light is beautiful at sunset and I take advantage of the evening to walk around and read. It will have been a good day again, with a lot of kilometers, maybe a little too much, I think Achill deserves to sped a bit more time there …
Day 6 - from Annagh Head to Strandhill
The night was good and it rained so I’m glad I did not have to bend the tent soaked. I take the road early but not directly the Wild Atlantic Way. I headed towards Dun Na Mbo a sculpture that looks out on the sea a little to the north. The place is nice but the sculpture not extraordinary by cons a little further offshore there is a lighthouse on Eagle Island which really offers a great view especially with a sea a bit rough.
I then drive on the northern part of the peninsula, the roads are pretty and wild.
I then take the course of the Wild Atlantic Way on the R314. The roads are really nice and narrow on this part.
I quickly arrive at Ceide Fields. Ceide Fields is a major archaeological site in Ireland. Many testimonies of the settlement dating from the Neolithic were found there, so I wanted to visit. The “museum” opens when I arrive around 10am. So I go around the exhibition, it’s interesting but not great. There is then a film that is not very interesting and old. I hope it will be better on the outside but I am also disappointed. The vestiges highlighted are rather poor. This remains a beautiful testimony of the past but in this case we have only a few walls half out of the peat. I think that for a “major” site like this it would have been interesting to have a reconstruction of houses or more vestiges. The visit is still worth even if I leave it disappointed.
On the other hand I advise you to admire the cliffs in front of the visitor center which are quite stunning.
Back on the Wild Atlantic Way, I head for Downpatrick Head. The road is nice but there are small storms passing so it will be necessary that I sneak between two showers to go to see the place.
I am still lucky because I manage to be there at a time when the weather is fine. Downpatrick Head is really impressive especially with this sky dotted with big black clouds. Again there is nobody and I take advantage of the place …
The photo shoot ends quickly because a very violent storm arrives. So I go back to the car to avoid soaking myself and the camera.
I take the road on the Wild Atlantic Way towards Sligo. The road runs along the coast to the nearest and offers beautiful views of the coastline including this lovely beach towards Ballina.
I drive quietly towards Sligo taking my time. This portion does not offer “major attractions” but you come across nice places.
As it is still early I decided to make a tour to Strandhill before stopping at Sligo. Strandhill is a small seaside town that has a nice beach and a good surf spot. It is Sunday and there are a lot of people strolling along the waterfront so I do the same with an ice-cream…
It is a pleasant moment. I like this place.
Direction Sligo! There is a bit of traffic as quite a few people come into town after their afternoon beach. Sligo does not make a good impression … I arrive at the youth hostel near the station in which I want to stay tonight but the place is dull and does not invite to stay here. So I’m going to take a tour in “city center” and I’m not really excited about it, it’s all sad and grey.
My decision is made: half turn and direction Strandhill. I stop at the youth hostel I saw earlier on the main street. The “Surf N Stay” Hostel is a hostel that also offers lodges and that is in a very cool surf spirit. There are not many people and I will find myself alone in my dormitory!
I’ll end the evening at the pub across the street, the Strandbar. I did well to make this decision in any case, the city is more friendly than Sligo.
End of the trip
It is in Sligo / Strandhill that ends my road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. On this seventh day, I drive Dublin where I will spend the afternoon and the morning of the next day before flying back home.
Conclusions
What a great idea to have created this road, the Wild Atlantic Way. You can be carried along its 2500km by following the signs, which is very well made, and one discovers more sumptuous sites, typical and dynamic cities and many historical places, not forgetting, of course, the pub and their awesome evenings!
In summary, I really enjoyed these six days on the wild Irish coast. I did not know this country but I discovered a part of it with pleasure and especially the Connemara which is magnificent.
In the end, I traveled 1700km on half of the Wild Atlantic Way at an average speed of 65km / h: the roads are really narrow! I still have a good part of the Wild Atlantic Way to discover and I will gladly eat the miles and explore the south of the island in particular.
In any case if you are tempted by this road go and discover all its wonders!
Iceland Road Trip
3500km
driven
65km/h
average speed
+50
wonderful waterfalls
1
volcanic eruption
3trolls
(petrified)
Iceland is very trendy currently and it’s easy to understand why. This country is amazing! Between the US and European tectonic plates, Iceland is experiencing a strong volcanic activity in an atmosphere of Far North, all dotted with majestic cascades, lakes, immense empty spaces … It is perfect! This trip was my first road trip solo, Iceland lends itself quite to this kind of travel. Follow me during this 14 days in the land of the Volcanoes, the elfs and the hidden people.
About Iceland
Although lost in the middle of the North Atlantic by 66 ° latitude, Iceland is part of Europe. The island has an area equivalent to one fifth of metropolitan France but has only 300,000 inhabitants. The population concentrates on the coastal strip and especially in the Reykjavik metropolitan area which welcomes 200,000 people as much as to say that the rest of the country is practically empty! Iceland is a paradise for hikers looking for of wild solitude or to undertake a road trip during which you will meet only one or two cars per hour …
Iceland is also interesting from a historical point of view. Although its settlement by Irish monks will go back to the 8th century AD, the island grew during the Viking period in the 9th and 10th centuries. It has been used for the conquest of Greenland by Erik the Red (in 984) and then surely of Vinland by Leif Erikson. There are many relics of this period in the country, be it buildings, but also in a certain way of thinking and in certain beliefs.
Concerning beliefs it is interesting to note that 40% of the population believes in elves and in a race of invisible humans but well present, hidden people. This belief is so strong that it is taken into account when building roads for example so as not to destroy an elven place.
Iceland is also known for its volcanic activity. We all remember the complete cessation of air traffic in 2010 after the eruption of the Eyjafjöll. Iceland is straddling the Atlantic rift, that is, part of the country is in America and the other in Europe to simplify. There are about 130 active volcanoes, geysers, fumaroles and other telluric phenomena, volcanism is omnipresent. Humans use this resource to create electricity (geothermal energy) or to heat themselves. Even the water from the shower had a small sulfur smell.
From a climatic point of view, Iceland has a relatively temperate climate although it is located just below the Arctic Circle. This is due to the fact that the island is bathed by the Gulf Stream, so temperatures are still relatively mild even in the middle of winter when compared with other countries at the same latitude; For example the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is -0.5 ° C. However the climate of Iceland is not to be taken lightly, this one is very changing and can be violent with a lot of wind and rain. One can easily see the four seasons in a few hours, an Icelandic proverb summarizes very well this changing nature of the weather: “If weather does not please you, wait just five minutes”
Day 1 : from Paris to Reykjavik
It is early September and it is the departure for Iceland for a journey that was in my head for a long time. Take off at 12:45 from Charles de Gaulle airport (France) and a few hours later here I am! I’ll be all alone for this trip, my first trip 100% solo … We’ll see how it is…
Once at the airport I get my little car that will be my companion for these two weeks, it will be a red Kia Rio. I would have preferred a 4×4 to explore the famous F-Road but the price of the rental on its own was a bit high.
In Iceland most of the inner roads are “F-Roads”. It is road are not tarred and can go through lookouts … The use of an appropriate vehicle is legally required, so you have to have a 4×4 to go through them. Do not engage lightly on these roads especially if you have to cross a river, on this point the F35 is very convenient because it stays dry all along.
First stop: to reach Reykjavik to finish the day.
The road between the airport and the capital is nice : the landscapes are volcanic and empty. It’s nice even under the clouds.
I arrive in one hour in the city center. Although it is the capital, there are only 200,000 inhabitants in Reykjavik. So the city is not very big. I find the hostel where I spend the night (Kex Youth Hostel). I then go on a tour in town and a complement of groceries.
The city is nice but I do not have much time to walk around, I will do this on the last day.
I will finish the evening by eating in a nice restaurant offering soups served in a loaf of hollow bread and going to bed early to be fit for the next day.
Day 2 : Golden Circle
Wake up at 6:30 am because today is the first real day here and it is busy. The idea is to go through the Golden Circle, the area to the north east of Reykjavik and which concentrates many places to visit. It is also one of the densest areas in terms of tourism even if it remains content.
For the moment I leave the city and I am following the road 36 towards the lake of Þingvallavatn.
The “Þ” is pronounced much like the “th” in English. We find for example this letter in the name of the famous Norse god Thor: Þórr
The landscape is beautiful especially under the morning light. The vegetation is reminiscent of the one found in the Nordic countries (like in Sweden), that is to say a shade of dark green and brown. After some time to roll I stop on the road to see a break typical of the local tectonics. The fracture is perfectly visible and the zone feels the suffer testifying to a close volcanic activity.
I then continue my route to the famous Geysir, the geyser to whom we owe the name of the phenomenon. We feel when arriving on the spot that the place is tourist but there are not too many people in this morning time. The area is experiencing intense geothermal activity: it smokes and it muddles everywhere.
The highlight of the show was Strokkur, the last active geyser, in fact Geysir stopped its impressive “eruption” a few years ago.
Having never seen any geysers before, I must admit that the show is impressive, especially the noise it makes when ejecting the water column.
After a long time to admire Strokkur, I take the road to the beautiful waterfall of Gullfoss. This waterfall is stunning especially by the feeling of power it releases. It is not necessarily very high but the flow of water that every second discharges is amazing. I make myself a good coffee right by the water to admire the show.
A little vocabulary: the suffix “foss” means the waterfall.
Once the coffee is finished, I turn to the Þingvellir. The site is located along Route 36. It is a very important place of Icelandic history because it is here that it is held for centuries of Þing ie the assembly. It is also a great place to observe the fracture of the rift and to dive in the crystal clear waters filtered by the rocks.
So I take the time to stroll until the tourists agitate me and push me to continue the journey.
My route then takes me to the Glymur waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland. To get there you first have to follow the road 47 and then finish the way on foot by a small hike very nice even if it climbs hard at the end. The waterfall is very beautiful, nestled between the cliffs and high of its 198m.
Once arrived at the top of the waterfall I wish to go down the other side to vary. The problem is that you have to cross the river that feeds the waterfall. It is nothing very bad if it is that the water is frozen. So I do not hang around (in underpants) and I miss nothing to stumble in the first meters. On the other side I stop 2min to dry with moss …
The descent is much less friendly on this side (right bank) because it’s very muddy …
Back in the car I take the road again and finally, I join the road 1 which will accompany me throughout the journey. I do not stay very long on it because I then fork on the 60 towards the fjords of the North West. I will stop not far from the road in a corner without charm to spend the night in the car.
First good day although in hindsight I should have spent more time in Þingvellir I think.
Day 3 : The NW Fjords
I have not slept badly in the car, better than I thought anyway.
The first stop of the day will be a replica of the house of the Viking Eirik the Red, the first settler of Greenland according to the Sagas.It is a nice place to visit, full of history.
I then continue on to Route 60. New stop after a few kilometers at Sælingsdalur.
It is now to go to see a church of the Hidden People. This church is a big pyramidal hill for ordinary “mortals”, but according to the local sayings it is a spiritual place of the Hidden People. I go there so that I may see all this by myself. So I start climbing the hill. The view is nice but unfortunately no contact with a possible Hidden People …
After this last stop I attack the heart of the subject of the North West Fjords because the road is no longer tarred. In Iceland, there is only the main road (the 1) and some adjacent secondary roads that are good. The rest of the roads are carrossable but with a small car is not ideal. So I go slow, not much more than 30km/h. At least I have time to enjoy the amazing scenery. There is hardly anyone on the road, the feeling of loneliness (in a positive way) gently sets in.
Quickly the weather turns to storm … I do not want to soak my tent tent tonight, so it will be another night in the car. I land at a small pass not far from a statue. Nothing is visible outside but rain. I’m totally wet because I wanted to go for a short walk … bad idea. I will finish the evening so eating cold …
Day 4 : Further in the fjords
In the morning the rain and the fog are still there. So I leave without seeing anything of the view, certainly beautiful of the place in good weather. The road is still so bad and I’m not moving very fast.
Towards the end of the morning, the bad weather calms down a bit and the sun seems to want to break through; which finally arrives around noon thus offering a superb spectacle of rainbows, light shades and light absolutely superb.
I then head for the Fjallfoss waterfall (also called Dyjandi). The road to get there passes through the mountains and I only meet one car for over an hour. The effects of light are still beautiful.
The waterfall is also impressive with 100m high and 30m wide. It looks like a veil on the mountain.
The road then takes me to Isafjorður. I stop there to eat hot (fries and a burger !!!) and also refuel and check that the car is fine. After this break I drive along the coast that undulates to the rhythm of the fjords.
Further to observe the local fauna because a group of seals stays in the zone and by chance they are there at 50m. They keep their distance but they are easy to see.
It is time to find a place for the night, which will be done at the point of Ogurnes. I set up the camp not very far from the road but given the passage, close to zero, I will not be bothered. Last spectacle of a day, there, is in the middle of the fjord, a whale whose I can see the breath, too far for the camera but very nice nevertheless.
Day 5 : Out from the fjords
A good little night lulled by the sound of the surf and 0 cars. The mornings are cool in the beginning of September.
I take the road again to get out of the fjords. Before reaching Holmavik, I go through a kind of plateau, totally desolate and rocky. This emptyness is beautiful.
Holmavik is not very interesting as a city. I just do a little detour to go to a holy source but it’s not very impressive. I read in my guide that in a neighboring town at Drangsnes there is a petrified troll and especially a free public bath.
I go there especially after these 4 days without showers … The city is very small but they have installed on the waterfront three small pools fed by a hot spring certainly captured upstream. I dive after taking a shower. What a pleasure to be in a water at 35 ° C facing the sea. I rest and take advantage of the moment.
After this well deserved bath I will see Kerling the petrified troll. Today it is a big rock laid there, it is quite surprising.
From memory the legend says that three trolls wanted to dig a channel to separate the fjords of the northwest of Iceland. Busy with their work, they did not see the sun rise and were petrified on the spot. According to legend, still, the island of Grimsey facing Kerling would be her bull also petrified. The other two trolls are on the other side of the fjord, and they will be seen later.
Once this”trolly” break carried out I take the road and rejoin the road 1 after a meal break facing the sea.
The Fjords of the North West took me three days but it was worth it. The isolation of the place is superb, especially in this period because there really are not many people to cross.
Once on the main road I find a little traffic and the place is less friendly, more flat …
I will also make a small hook to see the two petrified trolls on this side of the fjord.
Tonight I will land at Kolufoss Falls. It is raining so I take my meal in the rain but I will make the night in the car.
Day 6 : Geocaching and "lost road"
Already 1700km … not bad. Today I do not have a big program, my main goal is to make a lost geocache at the end of a road in Skagafjord.
The principle of Geocaching is simple: people (anyone) will hide small boxes in interesting places and simply inform their GPS coordinates on the site. The goal is not so much to find the box as it is to discover something, a place, a bit of history. Almost all the stops I make in Iceland have been motivated by a geocache so far.
The beginning of the road for the geocache is rather good and it goes well. By cons quickly I find myself on a small road, stony and not wide at all. Impossible to turn around … I walk almost at a pace. I sometimes have to get out of the car to remove the stones on the road … I admit that at one point I wonder a little what I do there. After 2 hours (not easy) I finally arrive in the small abandoned farm. From there you have to descend towards the river and then cross by a kind of wooden crate suspended by three cables over the raging river … Not reassuring but it goes well. The geocache is finally there!
For the rest of the day I will go back on Route 1, which will take me a long time from the geocache, and then take on Route 76 in the direction of Siglufjorður, a pretty little village with colorful houses. Today there is a tunnel connecting this city to Olafsfjorður but I prefer to use the old mountain road (802).
I will stop for the night at the level of the tiny shelter. The place is beautiful even under the clouds. I will calmly enjoy the late evening admiring the scenery and reading.
Day 7 : Akureyri
Not very busy day in perspective. I am about halfway through my journey and I need a good shower, a good meal and a bit of rest. Heading to Akureyri, the second biggest Icelandic settlement with 17,000 inhabitants.
Before that I have to join Route 1 but as it is still early I decide to go back my steps and go up for a ride to the small lake of Hraunsvatn. To do this, you have to park at a small farm not far from Route 1. You then attack the climbing route by a cattle barrier (which must be closed of course).
The climb is nice especially since it is sunny, on the other hand there is a strong wind especially at the level of the lake.
The site is beautiful, nestled between small peaks. The lake is known for salmonid fishing. I make a little geocache and I go down.
I then take the road to Akureyri. I spend the night at the “Akureyri BackpackersYouth hostel” in the small street of Hafnarstraeti. The hostel is nice and well kept. In the afternoon I take a walk around town but there was nothing very exciting to see (I did not explore very far). In the evening I will enjoy to be in town to eat a good meal, warm and cooked!
It feels good to see a little people and chat (especially with a guy from Quebec and a German from my room) but I also look forward to going back to nature and loneliness, one quickly needs it…
Day 8 : Myvatn and Krafla
Despite some snoring the night will not have been so bad. In the morning I have lunch with Pascal, the guy from Quebec. I then take the road towards the west and Myvatn which is a rather dense region in volcanic activity.
On the way I stop at Godafoss, historical place because here, according to legend, the pagan icons were thrown to the waves when Iceland decided to be Christianized. I then bypass the Myvatn by the south, it is a large lake to the east of which one already sees some interesting structures. Myvatn means “Lake of Flies”, in fact in summer the lake is covered with clouds of flies that can be a real pain in the a**. There are much less in September but these are annoying because attracted by CO2 produced by mouth, nostrils and eyes.
I begin my visits around Myvatn by Dimmuborgir. This amazing place is a set of basaltic structures with extravagant forms and forming a true labyrinth. I visit with Stefie, the German backpacker of the previous day that I met in the parking lot.
We then continue towards Hverfell, an immense cone of ashes and peebbles of obviously volcanic origin. It is gray at the end of the morning, so it gives the whole impression of Mordor or Lunar landscape. The view from the top is beautiful and the whole is impressive.
For the descent we make this full slope, it is more fun and faster.
We then walk to a geothermal cave, Grjotgja. The cave is nestled in a steaming crack.
On returning from the cave, Stefie continues the road on his side. On my side I head for the Krafla. The sun is finally back and it changes everything!
I roll the windows wide open, the music to the max! The landscapes change it is more and more beautiful.
After a big hill, I stop at Hverir which is a large area with rich volcanic activity: fumaroles, boiling baths and a good smell of sulfur. It’s very beautiful, the colors are crazy.
I continue the road a few kilometers before turning on the left towards Krafla, a volcano of 818m of altitude know to have a rich activity its last eruption dates from 1984. The place is very windy today, it adds to the majesty of nature here with the crater and its lake of unrealistic blue waters. It’s beautiful.
I then walk through a lava filed that is just a few years old. Life slowly resumes in the middle of the black rocks. There are not many people, it’s beautiful, all this invites to stroll.
Then back on the road 1. Direction to the east in absolutely wonderful landscapes! You can see dozens of kilometers around. There is nobody, it’s fine, I press a little (too much) on the gas pedal; the sensation of freedom is absolute! I feel very happy and lucky at this time…
After the swiftly swallowed kilometers, I turn left onto Route 864 which will take me to Detifoss. But for the time being I’m going to find a little place for the night because it is getting late and I do not move fast on this small gravel road.
I will not be far from the road but as usual there is nobody to bother me … In the distance I see the Krafla despite its distance of about 40km. Superb camping place. This certainly has been the best day of the trip. So many beautiful things to see …
Day 9 : Detifoss, Seydisfjordur and Snaefell
What a silence this night … It gives an impression almost disturbing sometimes because the mind is quick to invent noises …
I am back on the road quickly because it is cool this morning, so I will have breakfast further. I arrived at Detifoss after 40min of road a bit difficult because very rippled and therefore uncomfortable.
I go down to the waterfall, it’s stunning! Detifoss is the waterfall of Europe which has the biggest flow with 200 000 liters per second for a fall of 44m … It is the most impressive waterfall that I have been given to see. What is good in Iceland is that there is little barrier, so here we can advance until we have feet in the water at the edge of the fall … impressive …
The intro scene of the movie Prometheus was shot at Detifoss.
I then walk up the Jökulsá river to Fjöllum towards the Selfoss waterfall upstream. Also impressive by its width.
After returning to Detifoss, I enjoy a bit the show and do a geocache in the area, I then go back to the parking lot to have a coffee and breakfast.
Then back to road 1. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the road still wavy. The ground is black ash, which gives a moon face to the landscape. In the distance a cloud draws my eyes, looking carefully it is the plume of smoke of the eruption of Bárðarbunga which was going on when I was there. Despite the distance one can see it.
I run full east then. The landscapes, still amazing, pass too quickly. I arrive at Egilsstaðir but the city is very disappointing and I only stop for shopping and gas.
I then go on road 93 which leads me to Seydisfjordur. The descent is particularly interesting and fun by car. The small village is nestled at the bottom of a fjord, it’s nice. I stop at the little hostel / restaurant for a drink in the sun.
A scene from the movie Walter Mitty was shot at this hotel (when there is the eruption after the longboard descent)
Half turn then and I resume direction of the 1 but not for very long because I obliged towards the 931 in the idea to climb on the plateau of Snaefell. The view is beautiful on the height coming from Egilsstaðir but we see a kind of grayish fog that is due to the eruption of the Bárðarbunga.
The climb on the plateau, by road 910, is impressive. Above, total change of atmosphere: we find ourselves in a kind of tundra as far as the eye can see. In the distance the Snaefell, highest point of Iceland with 1833m, and the Vatnajökull also.
The Vatnajökull is a gigantic glacier that covers 8% of Iceland, almost the surface of Corsica in comparison. It can reach 1000m thick, it contains several volcanoes within it, including some in activity.
For the evening I find myself a beautiful place with a great view to set the tent. The glacier, not far away, is cooling the air and there is a lot of wind. There are normally a lot of reindeers in this area but I have not seen them yet … maybe tomorrow. In the night, I go out to see if there is no aurora (as almost every night), no aurora but in the distance I see clouds all red, despite the night, due to the direction of them, I think it was the reflection of the light emitted by the lava of the eruption of the volcano on the clouds. The impression was singular.
Day 10 : South East
Cold night! But it was Ok. Light program of today.
So I take my time in the morning, first I go to see the hydroelectric dam not far from where I camped. Half turn then, on the way I do not drive fast to try to see reindeers but they are not here….
At the descent I witness a nice phenomenon : there is so much wind that a waterfall usually hung on the wall climbs towards the sky … not trivial ….
I then drive south. Rather than following only Route 1, I take the 939 which passes through the mountain and is much nicer.
The descent towards the coast is beautiful. The weather is nice even if it’s a bit cloudy on the shore, so it creates very nice light effects.
After a meal break in the village of Djupivogur, I continue on route 1 towards Hofn. I pass quickly without taking too much time.
Time flies and it is already time to find a place to sleep (I mainly drove today). Task arduous tonight because few places seem nice enough.
After a long search I headed for the Flaajokull. The glacier is a part of the Vatnajokull. Unfortunately, the glacier recedes due to its melting …
In the evening after having booked I take a look outside and there Ô miracle an AURORA !! It is quite covered and the aurora is not very strong but that is beautiful! I try the picture below but the rendering is not crazy … it will have been a beautiful gift anyway.
Day 11 : Jokulsarlon, Skatafell and Sandar
Today’s busy day will begin with the well-known Jokulsarlon.
On the road that leads me to Route 1, I have the wonderful surprise of falling on a herd of reindeer. There must be about twenty animals and a superb male with impressive antlers. I enjoy a little while watching them grazing.
The road to Jokulsarlon is short. I arrive on site where there are already a few people.
The place is beautiful, the huge glacier flows into a large lake where it melts and then flows into the sea. As the glacier breaks as it arrives in the lake it is filled with blue and gray icebergs. It is very beautiful. To top it all, seals live here and let themselves be approached. On the black sand beach, the icebergs run aground, giving striking contrasts.
This place has been filming many films including Lara Croft and James Bond Tomorrow Never dies.
After Jokulsarlon, I take the road again and stop at a glacier to make a geocache.
A scene of Batman begins was filmed near this glacier.
I then continue to another hidden geocache next to a beautiful church with a roof of vegetal.
Direction Skaftafell. Skaftafell is a national park offering plenty of hike possibilities and activity. With hindsight I should have spent a whole day there instead of few hours.
I decide to carry out the small hike that leads to the Svartifoss waterfall. There are trees, which is relatively rare in Iceland. The path is nice and easy. The superb cascade: it is a horseshoe cliff made up of basaltic organs. It is very beautiful.
I should have stayed a bit longer in the Skaftafell but I continued my route to the Sandar.
The Sandar, those are huge expanses of black sand that are created during eruptions. The volcanoes melt the ice, especially the Vatnajokull, creating enormous mudslides loaded with rocks and devastating everything in its path.
So the Sandar is a little depressing … Black sand as far as the eye can see and under the gray sky it does not make things more cheerful …
For the night I head towards Fjaðargljufur. It is a 2km canyon, the walls are vertical with the river at the bottom. The greens are impressive, with the black sandur at the bottom it’s beautiful.
The view for the night is good, more than a few days in Iceland, I have to profit.
Day 12 : Hjorleifjskofði, DC-3 et waterfalls
A long day ahead. It begins with the visit of the Hjorleifskofði. This place was advised by a friend, Julien, who went there in February. This place is historical and is one of the first places of settlement of Iceland and a Viking tomb is at the top. The place is a little magical, it looks like a lost island in the middle of a sea of black sand. In the past it was an island but the level of the sea fell thus linking the “hill” to Iceland.
The ascent of the 220m of the hill, alone, in the rain has something mystical. No one comes here because it is not known. Up the view from the tomb is sublime especially in bad weather, I think. A little further down are the ruins of Arnarson’s farm. I also find the trace of the passage of my buddy on the logbook of the geocache of the summit. I’m glad I came here.
My next step is the wreckage of an old DC-3 who crashed here after the war. To get there you have to find the beginning of the road that I will walk because the car would not pass I think.
Rendering on the spot I attack the ride of 3,5km. I go well, in the immensity of the Sandur, and in the distance I begin to see the plane.
Except that … except that the more I get closer I think there is a problem: a good big river with a large flow cuts me the way for the plane … I decide to go lower down in order to ” Try to see if there is a passage. But no, no passage. Rather than taking risks to cross I turn back. Looking closer I realize my mistake and I resume the car to push 400m further and finally take the good entry for the plane … I attack the 4km again. The plane is approaching again but for good this time.
It’s a bit surreal to see it like that. It does not remain all the pieces but the plane is in good condition.
Another 4km back to the car and I drive in direction the beautiful waterfall Skogafoss which is also the beginning of the hike of the Landmannalaugar.
The Landmannalaugar trek is the hike to do if you go to Iceland, the beauty of the scenery is breathtaking.
The waterfall is impressive, a real wall of water of 60m.
The road continues and the series of stunning waterfalls also with Seljalamdsfoss which has the particularity of not being hung on the cliff. We can even go behind it’s very beautiful.
I’ll finish the day by joining Gullfoss for the night. I arrived relatively late because the day was very long …
This is the end of the journey soon …
Day 13 : Back to Reykjavik
Back in Reykjavik in the early afternoon. The circle is complete. 3500km at 57km/h on average.
I take a bed in the “Reykjavik Backpacker” street Laugavegur (which I find better than the Kex). Here I meet Pascal, the guy from Quebec I met in Akureyri. As I have quite a long time I take the opportunity to visit the city. It’s very nice, Reykjavik has the perfect Scandinavian style. The day passes quietly in the sun.
The next day I visit, I take the time, I drink cafes in Reykjavik Roaster (which make excellent coffee).
At the end of the day, I meet Pascal with whom we take drinks at Dylon and with whom we try the “Rotten Shark”, shark kept underground for several weeks. It’s horrible it stinks urine, inedible … The evening continues at the bar of the Youth hostel with French guys, American and other people; I like those cosmopolitan moments.
11pm, I take the road for the last time towards the airport, I return the car then begins a long wait because my plane is late at night.
This is the return … bye bye Iceland and see you soon!
Conclusions
What an absolutely fantastic country! I used a lot of words like “Superb”, “Magnificent” or “Wonderful” but that’s because it is! Iceland really offers landscapes apart. We find the “codes” of the Nordic landscapes as we can see in Norway but the volcanism really adds a plus.
14 days to go around I made it a bit quick with hindsight. I will have had to be spending more time in places between Hofn and Reykjavik, in the golden triangle too but I do not regret the choices I made. The fjords of the North West for example took me almost three days but it was worth it. Taking a 4wd would also have been more fun, already to go faster on the gravel roads and also to explore the center but once again between the budget and the timing it was necessary to make choices.
In any case I loved this trip, doing it alone gave it a different appearance but very nice too. Iceland is not very big but you can spend a life exploring, I think! What is certain is that I have to go back, whether it is in the North West in the Hornstrandir or in the center crossing, … ideas are not lacking …
To conclude: if you hesitate to go to Iceland, stop! Go ahead you will not be disappointed!