- Loop length
- ~250 km
- Driving time
- 4 h
- With stops
- 1–2 days
- Whole loop (via 862)
- Paved
The route
The Diamond Circle (Demantshringurinn) is a loop of about 250 km. From Akureyri, drive east on Route 1 to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn, continue past Hverir and turn north on Route 862 to Dettifoss. Follow 862 through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon past Hljóðaklettar to Ásbyrgi, then west along the coast on Route 85 to Húsavík, and back to Akureyri. Route 862 is now paved, so the whole loop is fine for a normal car in summer.
One day or two? It is possible in one long day, but staying a night at Mývatn or Húsavík lets you add whale watching and a lagoon.
Stops on the Diamond Circle
- Goðafoss: walk both sides of the river for different views.
- Mývatn: Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall and Grjótagjá, with a soak in the Nature Baths.
- Hverir and Krafla: geothermal field and the Víti crater.
- Dettifoss and Selfoss: a short walk from the car park.
- Hljóðaklettar and Ásbyrgi: easy trails in Vatnajökull National Park.
- Húsavík: whale-watching capital of Iceland.
Plan your Húsavík stop around a whale-watching departure: tours take about 3 hours.
Book Húsavík whale watching ↗Overnight in Húsavík or Mývatn to split the loop over two days.
Hotels on the Diamond Circle ↗Plan your trip to the Diamond Circle
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Diamond Circle?
About 250 km, or roughly 4 hours of driving. With stops, plan a full day or split it over two days.
Is the Diamond Circle open in winter?
Most of it is. Route 862 to the west side of Dettifoss is paved and usually cleared, but can close in storms. The east-side Route 864 is summer only.
Is the Diamond Circle better than the Golden Circle?
It is quieter, longer and more varied, with whale watching and Europe's most powerful waterfall. The Golden Circle is more convenient from Reykjavík.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.