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    The Silver Circle: Into the Viking Heartland & Ice Caves

    Hot springs, sagas and a lava tube, in a day from Reykjavík.

    Escape the crowds on the Silver Circle route. Explore Hraunfossar, Deildartunguhver hot spring, and the Víðgelmir lava cave in West Iceland.

    A journey into West Iceland's rich saga history, featuring boiling hot springs, crystalline waterfalls seeping through lava, and massive subterranean caves.

    Distance

    155 km

    Driving

    ~3h driving

    Days

    1 day

    Summer Vehicle

    Any car

    Winter Vehicle

    4x4 recommended

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    Season

    All year

    What to Wear

    Sturdy boots for lava fields. Warm jacket if visiting the ice caves.

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    The Deep Dive

    Hraunfossar

    The 'Lava Waterfalls'. Countless clear streams filter through the lava field and cascade into the river. A unique geological phenomenon.

    Deildartunguhver

    Europe's highest-flow hot spring. It pumps out 180 liters of boiling water per second, heating Borgarnes and Akranes — the latter through a 64 km pipeline.

    Húsafell

    An oasis of birch trees and the gateway to glacier adventures like the Ice Tunnel.

    Worth the detour

    Krauma Geothermal Baths

    A sleek spa fed by the boiling water of Deildartunguhver, Europe's highest-flow hot spring, cooled with icy water from the nearby Rauðsgil ravine. Pure fire and ice, and smaller and quieter than the big lagoons.

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    Settlement Center (Borgarnes)

    A fantastic museum dedicated to the Viking settlers and the dramatic Egil's Saga.

    Visit Website

    The Drive

    Often overlooked, the Silver Circle in West Iceland offers history, hot springs, and lava waterfalls without the Golden Circle crowds. You'll take Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel (toll-free since 2018) or around the scenic fjord on Route 47, then explore Borgarfjörður on Routes 50 and 518, with Route 523 out to Víðgelmir. The driving is lowland and very scenic — in winter, check road.is before you go.

    Logistics & Timing

    Driving time. The loop itself is 155 km and ~2 h 40 min of driving. From Reykjavík and back, allow roughly 300 km and ~5 h.

    Total trip. A full day trip from Reykjavík.

    The tunnel. The Hvalfjörður tunnel is toll-free and cuts about 42 km (roughly 45 minutes) off the drive. Driving around the fjord (Route 47) is beautiful but adds time.

    Frequently asked questions

    What stops are on the Silver Circle in Iceland?

    The main stops include Deildartunguhver (Europe's highest-flow hot spring), the historical town of Reykholt, the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, and the Víðgelmir lava cave.

    How long is the Silver Circle drive?

    The loop itself is about 155 km and ~2 h 40 min of driving. Counting the drive out from Reykjavík and back, it's about 300 km — a full day.

    Is the Silver Circle better than the Golden Circle?

    It depends on your preference. The Golden Circle has more famous, monumental sights (like Geysir and Gullfoss), while the Silver Circle offers a quieter, more historical experience with unique geological features and far fewer tourists.

    Itinerary

    01

    Deildartunguhver

    Optional

    Highest-flow hot spring.

    Deildartunguhver: Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring

    Europe's highest-flow hot spring, pumping out 180 liters of boiling water per second. It heats the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes — the latter through a 64 km pipeline.

    Duration: 30 mins

    Tip: Look out for the farm stand selling tomatoes nearby.

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    02

    Hraunfossar & Barnafoss

    Must see

    Lava waterfalls and the Children's Falls.

    Hraunfossar: The Lava Waterfalls

    A series of countless creeks and cascades streaming out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field into the Hvítá river — glacial water seeping straight out of the lava, forming a wall of small waterfalls about 900 m long, in a stunning turquoise. A few minutes upstream on the same path, Barnafoss (the Children's Falls) churns through a narrow rocky gorge.

    Duration: 45 mins

    Tip: The two are a few minutes apart on the same path — see both.

    Read the gem page
    03

    Húsafell

    Hub

    Activity center.

    A green oasis at the edge of the highlands. The starting point for tours to Langjökull glacier and the Ice Tunnel.

    2 hours

    Tip: Great place for lunch or a dip in the Canyon Baths.

    04

    Víðgelmir Lava Cave

    Optional

    The mighty lava tube.

    Iceland's largest lava cave, and one of the largest lava tubes in the world. A guided tour takes you deep inside on walkways to see amazing ice formations and colors.

    Duration: 1.5 hours

    Tip: Book in advance.

    05

    Borgarnes

    Hub

    End of loop.

    Return to the Ring Road to complete the Silver Circle.

    End

    Tip: Visit the Settlement Center (Landnámssetur) museum if you missed it.

    Make it yours

    Send these stops into the planner and change what you like — swap a day, drop a stop, add your own.