Camper van and motorhome rental in Iceland. - Happy Campers

Some people like to have a super jeep, some people like to own the best motorcycle, some even "need" to have the greatest bbq in the garden.  But does all that people really want to use those items or just "own" it and show off ?  I think so.  There is a lot of people out there that likes to show off and beat the neighbor in the race of gathering toys and gadgets.  The same goes for travelers.  Some people like, or needs to own a big, fat and complex RV or Motorhome in the driveway for the same purpose as mentioned before.  But unfortunately those nice machines are not used very often.  Then on the other hand you can meet travelers on small cars, suv or even on a mini-camper travelling thousands of miles every year on a tight budget, but never stops exploring.  A true explorers.  You don´t need a big truck, camper or even a car to travel, just a decent pair of shoes and an open mind and off you go !  Is it better to explore the world the simple way or having a big fat Motorhome in your driveway and never see anything outside your city limit ?  I know the answer, - do you ?

Motorhomes and camper van are quite popular in Iceland.  For many years campervan in Iceland where made of old cars, buses or second hand commercial trucks.  To build these campers the owners had to use their imagianition and be creative when building the motorhomes.  Usually it was old 4x4 trucks that where used to travel to the highlands of Iceland.  There where no rental opportunities and it was not uncommon for a small group of travellers to design and build an rv together.  Simple interiors, gas stove, water jurk and simple bed, no toilets, cabinetts or other luxury, more important to have space for spare parts and tools to fix the camper when it broke down.  Today, a very different world.  You can rent a car from many car rental companies in Iceland and camper vans can be rentet  from few rental companies.  The developement of the campervan the last 10 - 20 years, has been to almost create a house on wheels.  Toilets, microwave oven, shower, stove and oven and more and more.  The campers has grown bigger and bigger, and have the tendency to get more and more complicated.  Iceland is a perfect country for campers and motorhomes, but..... just for the smaller ones, we do not have the road system nor the rv / motorhome parks for the big campers.  Very narrow roads with twists and turns, one lane small bridges etc. are common problems in Iceland.  The small parks and spaces that you are actually allowed to park, the soil and ground does not support the heavy weight campers.  Small and medium campers and motorhomes are the best choice for travelling around Iceland´s beautifull nature.  Easy to drive and operate campersvans are getting more and more popular and some of the small and medium size campers are even four by four, 4x4. 

The waterfalls of Icelandattract many visitors to this unique geographic country. With numerous waterfalls across the landscape, Iceland has several notable waterfalls that are recommended tourist attractions. Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Svartifoss are some of the more popular sites to visit.

The Golden Circle- Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss or Golden Falls is one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions and perhaps the most famous of the country's waterfalls. Located along the popular Golden Circle tourist route in Southwest Iceland, Gullfoss attracts visitors from around the world on a daily basis.

The magnificent double cascading waterfall is located in a canyon on the Hivita River. Set in an astonishing crevice measuring 105 feet deep, 60 feet wide, and stretching 2.5 km southward, Gullfoss is one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls.

Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, with an upper and lower section of falls. The flow of the water varies on a daily and seasonal basis.

Although strictly legend, Sigríður Tómasdóttir is credited with saving the waterfalls from being repurposed as a hydro-electric dam by threatening to throw herself into the turbulent waters. A memorial for Tómasdóttir is located above the falls from one of the many wooden viewing platforms.

Iceland's South Shore- Skógafoss Waterfall

Skógafoss is located along the south coast of Iceland. Perched on a cliff face, Skógafoss is 60m high and 25m in width. A striking visual on the side of the highway, Skógafoss tumbles down the former coastline of Iceland, which over thousands of year has eroded over 5km from the sea where it began.

A breathtaking sight, the waterfalls are popular with tourists due to the frequent appearance of rainbows created by the large amount of mist cast off from the water. Local legend dictates that there is hidden treasure buried by the area’s first Viking settlers behind the falls.

A hiking trail located on the Eastern side of the falls is recommended for experienced hikers. The trail can be followed to the Fimmvörðuháls Pass, between the the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers.

Walk Behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall on the Ring Road

Easily accessibly by car, Seljalandsfoss is located on the Ring Road (or Route 1) beween the city of Selfoss and Skogafoss, on the way to the popular Thorsmork nature reserve. Seljalandsfossisone of the most picturaesque waterfalls in Iceland due to it’s delicate appearance as it carves itself through the cliffs of the country’s former coastline.

Over 60 m high, Seljalandsfoss has a path leading behind the waterfalls and down to the pool below. The path is sometimes trecherous when wet and steep at parts, making it difficult for less mobile visitors.A grassy viewing area at the edge of the pool is an optimal site for photos.

Skaftafell National Park- Svartifoss Waterfall

Svartifoss or Black Falls, is a must-see attraction when visiting Skaftafell National Park.

The waterfall gets its name from the large, dark, basalt columns that surround it. These columns were formed inside hot lava flows which cooled slowly creating the crystallized hexagonal forms. The base of the waterfalls is filled with notoriously sharp rocks created by falling chunks of the basalt columns.

The basalt forms found at Svartifoss have served as inspiration for many Icelandic architects. Their shapes are echoed in many buildings are Iceland, most notably the national Theatres and Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik.

The Nordic country of Iceland is located close to the Arctic Circle, meaning the summer months boast 24 hours daylight. The first experience of this can be unsettling as the human body clock struggles to adjust to the bright sunlight beaming through the window at 2am, but with the help of an eye mask it soon becomes the norm.

Getting Around Iceland

In a country without railways and very limited public transport, hiring a car is the only way to get around. Route 1 is a ring road looping 832 miles around the perimeter of the island. The ringroad is mainly paved, however with single lane bridges, blind bends and blind hills drivers must be cautious and stay alert. The only stretch of multi-lane motorway is through Reykavik itself.

Sticking to the ring road is easy driving and gives spectacular views, however, getting off the beaten track is an experience not to be missed. Driving on the gravel roads can be quite daunting at first, trying to avoid not only the endless potholes, but also the numerous sheep grazing at the side of the road.

The F-roads are mountain passes, these should only be attempted in a high-clearance 4 wheel drive car. Many F-roads (particularly through the interior of Iceland) involve crossing deep, fast-flowing fjords. Hire companies have strict rules about which roads their cars are insured on.

Iceland’s Geology – Mountains to Volcanoes

Iceland is a geologist’s dream with active volcanoes bubbling away under icecaps, giving the country its reputation for being a nation of fire and ice. Combined they produce a spectacular mix of geothermal and glacial features. From snow-topped mountains to black beaches, virtually every geological feature imaginable can be found in Iceland.

The cause of all the geothermal activity is that Iceland has the dubious honour of being the only country situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This can be seen first hand as visitors are able to stand in the giant rift where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates have drifted apart. To emphasise its importance in the geological world, a visit to the village of Geysir is a chance to see Giant Geysir, after which all other geysers in the world are named.

Waterfalls of Iceland

No matter how impressive the vast multitude of geological features, Iceland’s prize possession is its endless waterfalls. From Skogafoss to Svartifoss and Godafoss to Gulfoss, waterfalls come in every possible shape and size imaginable.

No trip to Iceland is complete without a journey to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. 110,000 gallons of water thunder over the drop every second and unlike its American counterpart, Niagara Falls, there are no walls or safety barriers. Standing right on the edge of one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls is as close to nature as one can get.

Reykjavik and the Golden CircleLocated in the south-west of Iceland, Reykjavik is the capital city and home to over half of the country’s inhabitants. At 74.5 m tall, Hallgrimskirkja towers above the city, the huge church is the tallest building in Iceland and, in a city with few notable sights, it has come to symbolize Reykjavik.

Few tourists will visit Reykjavik without touring the Golden Circle. The popular tourist route includes stops at three main sights: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. Combining tectonic plates, geothermal activity and a waterfall, the Golden Circle epitomizes Iceland.

A popular day trip from Reykjavik is the Blue Lagoon. The country’s top tourist attraction is probably the only place in the world anyone would consider paying in excess of £20 ($30) to swim in the waste water of a geothermal power plant.

For the younger generation, Reykjavik has an up and coming nightlife. Many of the pubs and clubs stay open and serve alcohol past 4am. Despite the popular drinking culture, the city has a friendly, relaxed feel that is missing from many European cities. Locals and tourists happily mix together, moving between bars as revellers partake in the traditional runtur (pub crawl).

Visiting Iceland – a New Type of Vacation

One of the main deterrents of visiting Iceland has always been the cost. Despite affordable air fares, the cost of food, car hire, petrol and alcohol have put many holiday makers off. However, following the recent collapse of the Icelandic economy, the country has now become one of the more affordable places in Europe.

The friendly people and laid back culture make Iceland a top destination for escaping the rat race. Whilst the breathtaking scenery is responsible for Iceland fast becoming a major tourist destination.