Iceland - Southwest Iceland & the Golden Circle (PDF Chapter)

This is the Southwest Iceland & the Golden Circle chapter from Lonely Planet’s Iceland guidebook.

The Golden Circle – a tourist route comprising three famous sights: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss – draws the largest crowds outside of Reykjavík, but visit during off-hours or venture into the wilderness and you’ll find quiet hiking routes and otherworldly scenes.

• walk between the continental plates and through the historic former parliament in Þingvellir National Park
• maps
• marvel at black basalt columns, sea stacks and rocky buttes at Reynisfjara near buzzy Vík
• transport
• camp in a lush kingdom surrounded by brooding glaciers at Þórsmörk
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Reykjanes Peninsula, Blue Lagoon, Keflavík & Njarðvík (Reykjanesbær), Northwestern Reykjanes, Southwestern Reykjanes, Grindavík, Rey-kjanesfólkvangur Reserve, The Golden Circle, Þingvellir National Park, Laugarvatn, Geysir, Gullfoss & Around, Hvítá River Valley (Gullfoss to Selfoss), The South, Hveragerði & Around, Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri, Flóahreppur, Selfoss, Western Þjórsárdalur, Eastern Þjórsárdalur, Hella & Around, Hvolsvöllur & Around, Skógar & Around, Landmannalaugar, Laugavegurinn Hike: Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, Þórsmörk, Skógar & Around, Vík & Around, Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey.