Day Trips from Höfn: Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach, Vestrahorn & More

Höfn is one of the best-positioned bases in Iceland for day trips. Within an hour’s drive west on the Ring Road, you hit Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach. Behind the town, the Stokksnes Peninsula with its Viking-film backdrop sits 15 minutes away. Further west, Skaftafell and the ice cave access points add a full day each. This is a region where having a car and two or three nights transforms a drive-through into a proper experience.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Distance from Höfn: 75 km west on Route 1. Drive time: 50–60 minutes.

Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s most photographed places and, for once, the reality exceeds the photos. The lagoon forms where the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue calves directly into the water — icebergs break off and drift slowly seaward, some reaching several metres tall. The colours range from white to deep blue-grey to striped black from volcanic ash layers. In winter, seals haul out on the ice.

Amphibious boat tours run on the lagoon from approximately May to October, taking you among the icebergs at close range. Tours cost approximately ISK 6,500–7,500 per adult as of 2026 and last 40–45 minutes. Zodiac tours run a slightly shorter season but get closer to the ice and cost approximately ISK 9,000–10,500. Book ahead via the operators’ websites — walk-up availability is limited in July and August.

The visitor car park, café, and boat tour meeting point are all at the same location on the Ring Road. Entry to the lagoon viewpoint itself is free.

Diamond Beach

Distance from Höfn: 76 km west (immediately adjacent to Jökulsárlón). Drive time: 55 minutes.

Diamond Beach is what happens at the other end of Jökulsárlón. Icebergs that have floated across the lagoon exit into the North Atlantic through a narrow channel, then wash back ashore onto a black sand beach. The combination — translucent blue and white ice against black sand with ocean waves — is otherworldly, and unlike the lagoon itself, Diamond Beach has no tour boats. You walk among the ice blocks at ground level. There’s no entry fee.

Visit early morning (before 08:00 in summer) to have the beach largely to yourself. By 10:00, tour buses from Reykjavík and Höfn start arriving. The beach is directly opposite the Jökulsárlón car park across the Ring Road.

Stokksnes Peninsula and Vestrahorn

Distance from Höfn: 15 km southwest on Route 1, then a short access road. Drive time: 15 minutes.

Stokksnes is where Vestrahorn mountain drops straight into the sea. The 454-metre pyramid of gabbro and granophyre is instantly recognisable from film and photography — it served as a location for a Viking film production, and the props company left behind a reconstructed Viking village that sits in front of the mountain (admission separate, approximately ISK 1,000 as of 2026).

The real draw is the landscape: Vestrahorn’s jagged silhouette reflecting in the lagoon pools on the beach, the black sand, the mountain in cloud or in sun. It’s one of the most dramatic coastal settings in Iceland and only 15 minutes from Höfn. Arrive at high tide for the reflections; low tide exposes more beach but less water mirror.

Entry to Stokksnes is approximately ISK 1,000 per person as of 2026, paid at the Viking Café at the turnoff from Route 1. The café also serves coffee and basic food. Standard 2WD cars reach it easily.

Glacier Hiking on Vatnajökull

Nearest access point: Heinabergsjökull outlet, approx 40 km northwest of Höfn. Drive time: 35–40 minutes to the glacier tongue.

Vatnajökull covers 8,100 km² — roughly 8% of Iceland’s land area — and several outlet glaciers are accessible for guided day hikes. The nearest access point to Höfn is the Heinabergsjökull tongue, where small operators run guided walks across the ice. Tours include crampons, ice axes, and harnesses and typically last 3–4 hours on the glacier. Prices start from approximately ISK 12,000–16,000 per person as of 2026.

Glacier hiking is not possible independently — you must go with a certified guide. The ice can collapse without warning in areas that look stable. Companies operating in this area include Icelandic Mountain Guides and local glacier tour operators based in Höfn. Book ahead, especially in July when demand is high.

Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park)

Distance from Höfn: 135 km west on Route 1. Drive time: 1.5–2 hours.

Skaftafell is a long half-day or full-day trip from Höfn. The park contains Svartifoss waterfall (surrounded by striking hexagonal basalt columns), a network of hiking trails with glacier views, and access to guided ice cave and glacier tours from the visitor centre. Entry to the national park is free; guided glacier and ice cave tours cost approximately ISK 10,000–18,000 per person as of 2026 depending on tour type.

The hike to Svartifoss is 3.4 km return with modest elevation gain — manageable in 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace. The Skaftafell Visitor Centre (open approximately 09:00–18:00 in summer) has maps, ranger advice, and a café. Given the drive time, pair this with a Jökulsárlón stop on the same day if you want to combine them efficiently.

Practical Notes

Fuel: Höfn has an N1 petrol station in town, open extended hours. The stretch between Höfn and Skaftafell (Route 1 westbound) has limited petrol options — fill up in Höfn before heading west.

Road conditions: Route 1 between Höfn and Jökulsárlón is paved and in good condition year-round, though ice and black ice are risks in winter. Mountain roads beyond the Ring Road can close at any time — check road.is before setting out.

Weather windows: The southeast coast can be overcast and rainy even in summer. Don’t waste a clear morning sleeping in. When sun appears, get to Jökulsárlón or Stokksnes immediately.

For where to sleep between excursions, see our Höfn accommodation guide. For the full overview of the area, see our Höfn things to do guide.

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See Also

• Höfn city guide — Full Höfn guide: transport, hotels, langoustine restaurants, and the glacier lagoon
• Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon guide — Complete guide to boat tours, Diamond Beach, and the best timing to visit
• Ice caves in Iceland — Winter ice cave tours from the Jökulsárlón area
• Skaftafell guide — Vatnajökull National Park with glacier walks and Svartifoss waterfall
• Ring Road Iceland — How Höfn fits into the full Ring Road circuit