The Diamond Circle in North Iceland: Goðafoss, Mývatn, Húsavík and Ásbyrgi

Most visitors to Iceland know the Golden Circle near Reykjavík. Far fewer know that the north has its own classic loop: the Diamond Circle, or Demantshringurinn in Icelandic. It links five headline sights in North Iceland: Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss waterfall, the Ásbyrgi canyon and the harbour town of Húsavík. Along the way you pass lava fields, steaming geothermal ground, a deep river canyon and a bay known for whales.

The loop is roughly 250 km long and is usually started from Akureyri, North Iceland's largest town, or from a base near Mývatn or Húsavík. It can be driven in one long day, but it is more enjoyable over two, especially if you want time at Mývatn and a whale-watching trip from Húsavík. This guide explains each stop, the best order, how the seasons affect the route and how to get to the north in the first place.

The Diamond Circle route at a glance

The usual way to drive the loop from Akureyri is east along the Ring Road to Goðafoss and Mývatn, north-east to Dettifoss, north to Ásbyrgi, then west along the coast to Húsavík and back to Akureyri. You can also do it in reverse. Driving times below are approximate and assume good conditions.

1. Akureyri to Goðafoss: about 35 to 40 minutes.
2. Goðafoss to Lake Mývatn: around 40 minutes.
3. Mývatn to Dettifoss: roughly an hour.
4. Dettifoss to Ásbyrgi: around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the road and the season.
5. Ásbyrgi to Húsavík: about an hour along the coast.
6. Húsavík back to Akureyri: around an hour and a quarter.

Add it up and the driving alone is around five to six hours, before any stops. That is why a one-day Diamond Circle is a long day of 10 hours or more, and why many travellers split it.

Goðafoss: the waterfall of the gods

Goðafoss is a wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, right beside the Ring Road between Akureyri and Mývatn. Its name means “waterfall of the gods”. According to tradition, around the year 1000, when Iceland adopted Christianity, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw statues of the old Norse gods into the falls.

There are viewpoints and paths on both banks of the river, and you can walk from the car park to the edge in a few minutes. The east bank gives a classic front view, while the west bank brings you closer to the water. In winter the falls are framed by snow and ice, and the paths can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.

Lake Mývatn: craters, lava and steam

Lake Mývatn sits in an active volcanic area, and within a few kilometres you find pseudocraters, lava formations, a huge tephra crater and bubbling mud pots. It is easy to spend a whole day here, so on a one-day Diamond Circle you will need to choose.

• Skútustaðagígar: grassy pseudocraters by the lake, formed when lava flowed over wet ground. An easy path circles them.
• Dimmuborgir: a maze of lava pillars and arches with marked trails of different lengths.
• Hverfjall: a large, almost circular tephra crater with a steep path to the rim and wide views.
• Hverir (Námafjall): steaming vents and boiling mud pools on orange ground, with a strong smell of sulphur.
• Mývatn Nature Baths: a geothermal bathing lagoon with milky-blue water. Check opening hours and book ahead.

The name Mývatn means “midge lake”, and on calm summer days the small flies can be noticeable near the water. Most of them don't bite, but a head net makes walks more comfortable. Our Lake Mývatn guide covers the area in much more detail.

Dettifoss and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon

From Mývatn the route heads east, then north towards Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. The glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, fed by meltwater from Vatnajökull, thunders over a wide cliff into a grey canyon, throwing up spray you can feel long before you reach the edge. The area is part of Vatnajökull National Park.

Dettifoss can be seen from both sides of the river, and the two sides are reached by different roads. The west side is the one most visitors use on the Diamond Circle. The east side road is gravel and is generally closed in winter. A short walk upstream from Dettifoss brings you to Selfoss, a broad, lower waterfall that many people find just as beautiful.

Access to Dettifoss depends heavily on the season. In winter and early spring, roads and paths in the area can be closed or icy, and the stretch between Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi in particular is affected by snow. Always check current road conditions on the official Icelandic road information service before you set out, and be ready to change the order of the day or skip Dettifoss if the road is closed.

Ásbyrgi: the horseshoe canyon

Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliffs and a floor of birch woodland, which feels very different from the bare lava landscapes elsewhere on the route. Geologists believe it was carved by enormous glacial floods of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum. Norse legend gives a more colourful explanation: it is the hoofprint of Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the god Odin.

From the car park at the inner end of the canyon, an easy path leads through the trees to a small pond below the cliffs. There is also a visitor centre at the mouth of the canyon, which is part of Vatnajökull National Park. Allow at least an hour to walk and enjoy the shelter of the trees.

If you have extra time, Hljóðaklettar, the “echo rocks”, are a fascinating area of twisted basalt formations further up the canyon of Jökulsárgljúfur. Reaching them takes more time and is easier in summer.

Húsavík: whales and a harbour town

Húsavík sits on Skjálfandi bay and is one of Iceland's best-known places for whale watching. Several operators run trips from the harbour, mainly in the warmer months, and humpback whales and other species are often seen in the bay. As with all wildlife, sightings are never guaranteed, and sea conditions decide whether boats sail. Check seasons, times and prices directly with the operators and book in advance in summer.

Even without a boat trip, Húsavík is a pleasant stop. The wooden church by the harbour is the town's landmark, there is a whale museum near the water, and the harbour has cafés and restaurants. The GeoSea geothermal sea baths on the headland above town have views across the bay; check their opening hours before you go.

From Húsavík the road heads back to Akureyri. On the way you can use the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, which shortens the drive but is a toll tunnel with payment online, or take the older road over the pass.

One day or two? Planning the loop

The Diamond Circle in a single day is possible in summer, with long daylight and open roads, but it means short stops everywhere. Two days is more comfortable and lets you match activities to the weather.

In one day

• Start early from Akureyri and stop at Goðafoss on the way.
• Pick two or three stops at Mývatn, for example Hverir, Dimmuborgir and the pseudocraters.
• Visit Dettifoss from the west side, then continue to Ásbyrgi if the road is open.
• Finish in Húsavík for a late meal before driving back.

Over two days

• Day 1: Goðafoss and a full afternoon at Mývatn, ending with a soak at the nature baths. Stay near the lake.
• Day 2: Dettifoss in the morning, a walk in Ásbyrgi, then whale watching or the sea baths in Húsavík before returning to Akureyri.

By season

From roughly June to August you have very long days, the best chance that every road is open, and the main whale-watching season. Autumn brings colours and darker nights for the northern lights, but also the first snow. In winter, Goðafoss and Mývatn remain accessible on the Ring Road in normal conditions and are beautiful under snow, while Dettifoss and the road towards Ásbyrgi are often difficult or closed. Our guides to Iceland in winter and Iceland weather month by month explain what to expect.

What to bring

• Waterproof layers and a warm hat, even in summer, because the spray at Dettifoss and Goðafoss soaks you quickly.
• Shoes with good grip for wet rock and, in winter, icy paths. Many visitors bring slip-on ice cleats in the colder months.
• A swimsuit and towel if you plan to visit the Mývatn Nature Baths or the sea baths in Húsavík.
• Snacks and water, as services between Mývatn, Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi are limited.
• A head net for calm summer days at Mývatn.

Getting to North Iceland

Most international flights land at Keflavík Airport in the south-west, a long way from the Diamond Circle. The drive from Keflavík to Akureyri along the Ring Road takes around five to six hours without stops. You have a few options:

• Domestic flight: flights from Reykjavík's domestic airport to Akureyri take less than an hour. Our domestic airport transfers guide explains how to connect from Keflavík.
• Private transfer: we drive directly from Keflavík Airport to the north, door to door, with a fixed price per car. See the price to Akureyri, Goðafoss, Mývatn or Húsavík.
• As part of a longer trip: many travellers reach the north on a Ring Road trip. Our Ring Road planning guide helps you divide the days.

A long transfer is a good way to see the country on the way. Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Keflavík with a name sign, and if you would like short stops on the way, for example at Goðafoss before you reach Mývatn, agree them with us in advance. The price is the same day and night, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before pick-up. Groups of 8 to 16 can ask about a minibus on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949.

Once you are in the north, our Akureyri travel guide is a good companion for the town itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Diamond Circle in Iceland?

How long does the Diamond Circle take?

Can you do the Diamond Circle in winter?

Where should I start the Diamond Circle?

Is the Diamond Circle better than the Golden Circle?

Can I see whales in Húsavík?

How do I get from Keflavík Airport to North Iceland?