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North Iceland

The Diamond Circle

A northern loop of canyon trails, powerful waterfalls, and the Mývatn landscape.

  • 2 days
  • Round trip from Húsavík
Open in the plannerGuide at Visit North Iceland · Diamond Circle

Uses Dettifoss’s west side via road 862. Check road conditions before travel, especially outside summer.

The stops

  1. HúsavíkStart · North Iceland
  2. Ásbyrgi · canyon parkingNature · 1 hr 30 min visit

    Explore the wooded paths and steep cliffs of this horseshoe-shaped canyon.

  3. Dettifoss · west-bank parkingNature · 1 hr 15 min visit

    Take a walk to viewpoints over the powerful waterfall in the Jökulsá á Fjöllum canyon.

  4. Mývatn · ReykjahlíðOn the way
  5. DimmuborgirNature · 1 hr visit

    Follow marked paths among lava towers and arches near Lake Mývatn.

  6. GoðafossNature · 45 min visit

    Follow the paths beside a wide cascade on the Skjálfandafljót. This stop lies east of Akureyri, on the way toward Mývatn.

  7. HúsavíkBack where you started

Durations are planning suggestions. Driving times depend on the season and road conditions; the planner calculates the drive for your version of the route.

Places on this route

NatureÁsbyrgi Canyon1 hr 30 min visitNatureDettifoss Waterfall1 hr 15 min visitNatureDimmuborgir1 hr visitNatureGoðafoss45 min visit

More longer trips

2 daysThe Snæfellsnes PeninsulaCircle the glacier peninsula through coastal villages and sculpted lava shores.1–2 days · one wayGlaciers & LagoonsContinue east from Vík for glacier walks, drifting ice, and the harbour at Höfn.7–10 daysAround Iceland · Ring RoadA complete circuit from the south coast through the Eastfjords and back across the north.