8 Best Sights in Hella and Hvolsvöllur, Reykjanes Peninsula and the South Coast (with the Golden Circle)

This waterfall is situated right off the ring road, so anyone who drives by can’t help but marvel at its majesty. Seljalandsfoss is 65 meters tall and its special trait is that you can walk behind it. Be ready to be heavily drizzled by the fresh mountain water but be careful because the steps can be slippery. Bathroom facilities and a small coffee shop can be found by the parking lot. There are also lots of beautiful short walking paths all around the waterfall that can easily add to this unique experience.

Farther east, about 25 minutes away from Seljalandsfoss, you will find another falling beauty, framed in by green hills in the summer and ice during winter. The waterfall Skógafoss is located at Skógar, a small Icelandic village, south of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Skógafoss is around 60 meters high, 25 meters wide, and is square in shape. A steep staircase leads up to the top of the hill above the falls, and on the way up you will often see a rainbow.

Sheltered between three towering glaciers (Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and Mýrdalsjökull) and surrounded by three rivers (Krossá, Þröngá, and Markarfljót), is the Þórsmörk nature reserve. Named after the hammer-wielding Norse god Þór, it is among the most popular hiking destinations in Iceland. At Þórsmörk you will find snow-capped mountain ridges, twisted gorges, moss-covered caves, and hidden waterfalls. The area has scenic surprises around every corner, making it a true hiker’s paradise. The views are especially dramatic in the fall when the whole valley turns into a spectacle of colors, from oranges, yellows, and reds to the ever-present lava black of the rock beneath. It can be hard to get to—effectively unreachable during winter—but it is worth the hassle. Þórsmörk cannot be reached in a regular car or even regular 4WDs. You will need to take an amphibious bus or travel with a guide in a Superjeep to cross the unpredictable and dangerous rivers that close off the valley to the south.

Ancient crosses, wall carvings, and carved seats decorate twelve mysterious caves outside of Hella. Filled with historical remains, they have only recently begun to be excavated—and researchers already think they might predate the Vikings. Four are currently open to the public, but take note that you're only allowed to see the caves on guided tours, which are offered in English every day at 12 and 4 pm. 

Accessible only during summer, Landmannalaugar is a vast area of stunning natural beauty located in the remote southern highlands. It sits about 600 meters above sea level in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, between a glacial river and lava field that was formed in the 15th century. With its dazzling multicolored rhyolite mountains, a blue lake inside a red crater, and bubbling geothermal areas, it becomes a popular hang-out in the summer. The spot is also the starting point for the famed Laugavegur hike, an advanced multi-day trek that connects Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. From June to September, buses run daily from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar and back by Reykjavík Excursions. And don't forget to take a soak in the hot springs while here.

In the town of Hvolsvöllur, take an educational break and learn about how this volcanic island was shaped by countless eruptions. At the LAVA Centre you are introduced to the 32 volcanic systems in Iceland. There is an interactive scene that reveals the wonders of volcanic activity, a film about local volcanoes, and a balcony that offers you a panoramic view of four dormant volcanoes.

In a narrow valley beneath the now world-famous Eyjafjallajökull is one of the more authentic geothermal baths around, with the hot springs from the mountain running straight into the pool. The 25-meter pool was built in 1923 and is considered semi-abandoned and therefore is free of charge. There are changing rooms next to the pool—though they are basic and often dirty. Granted, Seljavallalaug might not be the hottest hot spring around—it's more often than not a tepid warm—but the peaceful atmosphere more than makes up for it. 

Njáls Saga—the most famous of the medieval Sagas of Icelanders—is told through a lively exhibition here at the Saga Centre. Only a 10-minute drive from Hella lies Hvolsvöllur, the town where it took place over a thousand years ago. Set in the settlement age, you will learn the stories of war heroes, family feuds, and Icelandic politics. To satisfy your hunger after immersing yourself in the saga, Valhalla Restaurant is located on-site; they serve beer and pub food like pulled pork, burgers, and fries.