Through Iceland with the VanEssa Mercedes camper

Hello everyone,

My name is Hubert and I am delighted to be able to take you with me on our very special Icelandic adventure, accompanied by our film producer Stefan Erdmann, a professional for Iceland travel through his own experiences. In September last year we started our journey through the breathtaking landscape of Iceland. Fully equipped with our fully VanEssa Sprinters, perfect for all situations. Join us on this little journey!

Start in Seyðisfjörður - the route across the North Atlantic

Our Icelandic adventure began with the ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark via the Faroe Islands to the port of Seyðisfjörður in the east of Iceland. The crossing took three days - enough time to get in the mood for what was to come. Seyðisfjörður, framed by high mountains and numerous waterfalls, was the perfect starting point. A place that immediately slows you down and allows you to slowly get used to the unfamiliar, primeval island.

Möðrudalur campsite - the magic of seclusion

Our first stop: the highest farm in Iceland with an adjoining campsite. Möðrudalur is far away from cities or tourist crowds - just the right place to arrive and let go of everyday life. The rustic atmosphere, the simple life and the clear air make this place something very special. Ideal for nature lovers and newcomers to Iceland.

Highlands: Askja & Herdubreið - Iceland as if on another planet

From Möðrudalur, we headed straight into the rugged highlands - to Askja, a volcanic system with a crater lake and the majestic Herdubreið, the „Queen of the Icelandic Mountains“. With its vast, stony emptiness, the area is reminiscent of a lunar landscape. In fact, NASA once trained its astronauts here - and when you stand there, you understand why. Here at the overnight stop, we were confronted with strong Icelandic winds for the first time. A force of nature we were not used to. Due to the lack of any trees, the wind sweeps through unchecked and sometimes hurls small stones through the air.

Ásbyrgi - The elven capital

We continued on to the green gorge of Ásbyrgi, a place full of myths and legends. According to Icelandic folklore, the hoofprint of Odin's horse Sleipnir is said to have shaped the landscape here - and to this day, many believe that elves live here. Whether you believe it or not, the magic of this place can be felt everywhere.

Sprengisandsleið (F26) to Landmannalaugar - colors, heat and wilderness

Our route then took us across the highlands on the Sprengisandsleið - a real challenge with many river crossings in a bizarre landscape, an endless expanse, also known as the road through nowhere. You should definitely allow plenty of time and not set off too late, otherwise it will quickly become too dark to cross a raging glacial river.

Our destination was Landmannalaugar, an area that delights with colorful rhyolite mountains, hot springs and endless hiking trails. Here you can wander for hours through unique volcanic landscapes - or simply relax in the hot river.

Vík í Mýrdal

In the south of Iceland, we stopped off in Vík í Mýrdal. The perfect place to stock up on provisions and everything else you need for a long drive through the highlands.

This is also the starting point for numerous other tours to impressive waterfalls, glaciers or the prominent volcano, the Laki Crater. An awe-inspiring and enchanting landscape that is only accessible by four-wheel drive.

Diamond Beach - glacier meets volcanic sand

Another impressive place, but also very touristy on our route, was Diamond Beach near Jökulsárlón. Here, blocks of ice drift from the glacier onto the sea and are washed back onto the black beach - they glitter in the sun like real diamonds. An unforgettable sight that is best experienced early in the morning or late in the afternoon - then the magic is almost all to yourself. PS: there is another small glacial lake nearby with fewer tourists.

Reykjavík, Mælifell & the Great Geyser - Challenging stages

Heading back west, we first went to Reykjavik to get some spare parts. From there we started the long, fascinating route to Mælifellssandur, a picturesque, green volcanic cone in the middle of the highlands. However, the route there proved to be very challenging, as we had to cross many rivers, which were only possible when the water level was low, as well as crossing many lava slabs. Without four-wheel drive and appropriate ground clearance, little is possible here - an important lesson for anyone who wants to explore Iceland on their own. A visit to the large geyser and the Silfra fissure and on to Grábrók, a rather unknown volcano. You can reach the volcano crater directly via the steps in about 30 minutes, a nice stopover with hardly any tourists.

The Westfjords & Flateyri - Iceland's quiet side

As the journey progressed, the weather became harsher and winter slowly began to set in. We decided to leave the highland routes and drove to the remote Westfjords - one of the least visited regions in Iceland. In Flateyri we found absolute tranquillity, spectacular nature and a touch of timelessness. If you are looking for the „other Iceland“, you will find it here. We saw the Northern Lights, which showed us the right time thanks to the Northern Lights app. Otherwise we would have missed the natural phenomenon late in the evening.

Way back & conclusion - Iceland has changed us The ring road took us back to Seyðisfjörður - our starting point and now also the emotional destination of a journey that touched us deeply. Our last stop was Möðrudalur again - a familiar place that gave us the feeling that we had really arrived.

Our tips for your trip to Iceland

• Choice of vehicle: All-wheel drive and high ground clearance are a must for highland routes.
• Travel time: From the end of September it gets wintry - plan accordingly or stay on the main roads.
• Start early: Popular places such as Diamond Beach or Landmannalaugar are at their quietest in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Respect nature: Iceland is sensitive - stay on the paths, follow the rules, leave no trace.
• Highlands: Always start with a full tank, sufficient provisions, water and electricity, as well as a tow rope and hook

Fancy more?
You can find the best impressions, pictures and videos on our Blog and on Instagram, Facebook and with Stefan Erdmann. We look forward to you traveling with us virtually - and perhaps starting your own Iceland tour soon.