The Diamond Circle from Hótel Laugar
Goðafoss, Húsavík, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss and Mývatn make the Diamond Circle, and Laugar is on it. Drive it in one long summer day, or take it a piece at a time over two or three.
- By road
- About 250 km
- Drive
- 4 to 5 h
- Time needed
- One long day, better two
- Best
- June and July, light all night
The Diamond Circle is North Iceland’s answer to the Golden Circle: a loop of about 250 km through Goðafoss, Húsavík, Ásbyrgi canyon, Dettifoss and Lake Mývatn. From Akureyri, it makes for a longer day. From Laugar, the loop starts fifteen minutes from the breakfast table and ends thirty minutes from dinner.
For one day, travel clockwise. Start early at Goðafoss, then head north to Húsavík for a whale tour and lunch by the harbour. Allow an hour in Ásbyrgi canyon before following the river south to Dettifoss. Return to the ring road, past Mývatn and back to Laugar. Allow four to five hours of driving and a full day with stops. In June and July, it is light the whole way.
Two days give you more time. On day one, explore west and east: Goðafoss in the morning, then Mývatn for the rest of the day. On day two, head north for Húsavík and the whales, Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss. Stay three nights at Laugar and there is time for a slow day in the valley too.
- The roadsEvery stop is on a paved road from Laugar: road 862 on the west bank of the Jökulsá is paved from the ring road past Dettifoss through to Ásbyrgi. Road 864 on the east bank is gravel and opens for the summer only; check umferdin.is the morning you go.
- DinnerDinner is served from 18:00 to 21:00. On the one-day version, reserve before you leave: call +354 844 3259 or email the hotel.
- Lunch packsOn request, at a cost. Large groups, please order a day in advance.
- A guided dayA private Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri is on Akureyri Lodge’s site; ask the operator whether they collect at Laugar.
The loop, as driven
245 km · about 3 h 40 at the wheel
- Goðafoss14 km · 15 min
- Húsavík47 km · 45 min
- Ásbyrgi61 km · 55 min
- Dettifoss35 km · 30 min
- Mývatn, Reykjahlíð51 km · 45 min
- Laugar38 km · 35 min
Day one, west and east · 109 km · about 1 h 50
- Goðafoss14 km · 15 min
- Laugar13 km · 15 min
- Mývatn, Skútustaðir27 km · 25 min
- Dimmuborgir11 km · 15 min
- Mývatn, Reykjahlíð7 km · 10 min
- Laugar38 km · 35 min
Day one in Google Maps (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Day two, north · 225 km · about 3 h 20
- Húsavík40 km · 35 min
- Ásbyrgi61 km · 55 min
- Dettifoss35 km · 30 min
- Mývatn, Reykjahlíð51 km · 45 min
- Laugar38 km · 35 min
Driving time only, routed on OpenStreetMap roads from the hotel; add the stops. Every road on the loop is paved.
Pairs with
Questions
Can I do the Diamond Circle in one day from Hotel Laugar?
Yes. From Laugar the loop is about 250 km and four to five hours of driving, with Goðafoss 15 minutes from the hotel. Allow a full day with the stops; two days is more comfortable, and the hotel is on the circle either way.
Which way round should I drive the Diamond Circle?
From Laugar, clockwise: Goðafoss, Húsavík, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Mývatn. Plan the day around your whale tour’s departure from Húsavík; the rest of the loop follows the road.
Is Hotel Laugar a good base for the Diamond Circle?
Yes. The ring road passes Laugar, so the hotel is on the circle. Goðafoss is 15 km away, Mývatn 30 km, Húsavík 40 km, Dettifoss about 90 km and Ásbyrgi about 100 km, so every stop is a day trip and you park at your own house at night.
Two to four nights in Laugar
Laugar is on the loop, so the circle starts at the door. Book direct for our best available rate.
You finish on the hotel’s own booking page.
