This wondrous journey will have you circle the stunning island of Iceland, skirting its rugged coastline and exploring the beautiful offerings of this renowned destination born of volcanic fire.
You’ll lay your eyes on towering mountains, intricate glaciers, and vertical sea cliffs, among a host of other spectacles.
You’ll enjoy this tour from inside the cockpit of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX, an ideal aircraft for this trip as it allows broad views of the many gorgeous vistas you’ll encounter.
Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a ‘Back on Track’ button on the VFR Map — however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.
Total Legs: 8 Total Distance: 729 Total Time(125kts): 5 hours 49 minutes
Leg 1
Vestmannaeyjar to Hornafjordur
Leg Distance: 155.48 Approximate time at 125kts: 75 minutes.
Vestmannaeyjar(BIVM) to Markarfljot River(POI1)
Distance: 9.04NM Bearing: 49° 4 minutes
Your trip begins at Vestmannaeyjar Airport, on the island of Heimaey, just off the southern extremity of Iceland. Once in the air, head to the northeast and you'll fly over where the spectacular Markarfljót River empties into the North Atlantic Ocean.
Markarfljot River(POI1) to Dyrholaey(POI2)
Distance: 27.17NM Bearing: 118° 13 minutes
From the River, head southeast. The mighty Katla Volcano, which has frequently erupted, dominates your view to the left as you fly past Dyrhólaey, the southernmost point on mainland Iceland. Pass over the lighthouse and head northeast.
Dyrholaey(POI2) to Eldhraun(POI3)
Distance: 29.38NM Bearing: 63° 14 minutes
The Eldhraun Lava Field is a large swath of solidified lava, much of it covered in moss. After passing over it, head east.
Eldhraun(POI3) to Skeidara(POI4)
Distance: 21.29NM Bearing: 81° 10 minutes
You’ll soon pass over Skeiðará, a glacial river that is beautifully braided along its path to the sea.
Skeidara(POI4) to Hvannadalshnjukur(POI5)
Distance: 24.21NM Bearing: 68° 12 minutes
At 6,920 feet above sea level, Hvannadalshnjúkur is Iceland’s highest point. Pass its glaciated summit and fly over its eastern flanks.
Hvannadalshnjukur(POI5) to Fjallsarlon(POI6)
Distance: 7.62NM Bearing: 98° 4 minutes
You’ll soon pass Fjallsárlón, a large, beautiful glacial lake at the base of Hvannadalshnjúkur.
Fjallsarlon(POI6) to Jokulsarlo(POI7)
Distance: 5.18NM Bearing: 60° 2 minutes
Flying northeast, you’ll pass an even larger lake of glacial origin, Jökulsárlón.
Jokulsarlo(POI7) to Hofn(HOFN)
Distance: 28.84NM Bearing: 77° 14 minutes
Continuing northeast for 29 nautical miles, you’ll reach the picturesque town of Höfn.
Hofn(HOFN) to Hornafjordur(BIHN)
Distance: 2.75NM Bearing: 358° 1 minutes
Just to the north of Höfn lies Hornafjörður Airport, the end of this first leg of your Icelandic journey.
Leg 2
Hornafjordur to Egilsstadir
Leg Distance: 71.01 Approximate time at 125kts: 34 minutes.
Hornafjordur(BIHN) to Skyndidalsa(POI8)
Distance: 10.95NM Bearing: 41° 5 minutes
After departing Hornafjörður Airport, aim the Caravan EX’s nose to the northeast and you’ll soon reach Skyndidalsá, a wide river with a number of intricate channels.
Skyndidalsa(POI8) to Berufjordur(POI9)
Distance: 24.31NM Bearing: 42° 12 minutes
Continue on your heading until you reach Berufjörður, a deep fjord, and then head north-northwest.
Berufjordur(POI9) to Lagarfljot(POI10)
Distance: 19.51NM Bearing: 342° 9 minutes
In just under 20 nautical miles you’ll reach Lagarfljót, a long, narrow lake surrounded by gently rolling terrain.
Lagarfljot(POI10) to Egilsstadir(BIEG)
Distance: 16.24NM Bearing: 48° 8 minutes
A few minutes northeast of Lagarfljót you’ll bring your Cessna in to land at Egilsstaðir Airport.
Leg 3
Egilsstadir to Akureyri
Leg Distance: 129.22 Approximate time at 125kts: 62 minutes.
Egilsstadir(BIEG) to Storholmavatn(POI11)
Distance: 24.98NM Bearing: 300° 12 minutes
Lift into the skies from Egilsstaðir Airport and head northwest to Stórhólmavatn, a lake hidden in the vastness of this part of Iceland.
Storholmavatn(POI11) to Myvatn(POI12)
Distance: 42.69NM Bearing: 293° 20 minutes
43 nautical miles farther, you’ll pass above Mývatn, a shallow lake known for attracting large numbers of birds.
Myvatn(POI12) to Husavik(POI13)
Distance: 27.87NM Bearing: 352° 13 minutes
28 miles north-northwest of Mývatn you’ll fly past Húsavík, a picturesque harbor town on the northern coast of Iceland.
Husavik(POI13) to Eyjofjordur(POI14)
Distance: 22.32NM Bearing: 248° 11 minutes
Fly west, crossing over three small mountain ranges, and you’ll reach Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland.
Eyjofjordur(POI14) to Akureiri(POI15)
Distance: 9.61NM Bearing: 188° 5 minutes
At the southern extremity of Eyjafjörður, you’ll pass over the town of Akureyri.
Akureiri(POI15) to Akureyri(BIAR)
Distance: 1.75NM Bearing: 173° 1 minutes
Akureyri Airport, the anchor of this leg of the trip, lies just south of town.
Leg 4
Akureyri to Alexander
Leg Distance: 75.65 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
Akureyri(BIAR) to Siglufjord(POI16)
Distance: 36.11NM Bearing: 336° 17 minutes
36 nautical miles northwest of Akureyri lies Siglufjörður, a quaint fishing village.
Siglufjord(POI16) to Skagafjordur(POI17)
Distance: 21.43NM Bearing: 261° 10 minutes
West of Siglufjörður you’ll pass the opening of the deep fjord Skagafjörður. Turn south here, aiming inland.
Skagafjordur(POI17) to Alexander(BIKR)
Distance: 18.11NM Bearing: 178° 9 minutes
In just over 18 miles, at the head of Skagafjörður, land at Sauðárkrókur Airport.
Leg 5
Alexander to Holmavik
Leg Distance: 57.06 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.
Alexander(BIKR) to Hvtserkur(POI18)
Distance: 27.35NM Bearing: 266° 13 minutes
From Sauðárkrókur Airport, fly west-southwest and you’ll soon lay your eyes on the mysterious-looking dark sea stack named Hvítserkur.
Hvtserkur(POI18) to Thidhriksvallavatn Lake(POI19)
Distance: 27.71NM Bearing: 291° 13 minutes
28 nautical miles west of Hvítserkur is Thidhriksvallavatn, a crescent-shaped lake.
Thidhriksvallavatn Lake(POI19) to Holmavik(BIHK)
Distance: 2NM Bearing: 46° 1 minutes
Just to the northeast of the lake lies Hólmavík Airport, the end of this section of the circumnavigation.
Leg 6
Holmavik to Isafjordur
Leg Distance: 42.26 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.
Holmavik(BIHK) to Isafjordur(POI20)
Distance: 20.91NM Bearing: 315° 10 minutes
21 nautical miles northwest of Hólmavík Airport brings you to the fjord Ísafjörður.
Isafjordur(POI20) to Isafjordur City(POI21)
Distance: 20.38NM Bearing: 315° 10 minutes
Another 20 nautical miles along the same heading brings you to the town Ísafjörður.
Isafjordur City(POI21) to Isafjordur(BIIS)
Distance: 0.97NM Bearing: 218° 0 minutes
Land just southwest of town at Ísafjörður Airport.
Leg 7
Isafjordur to Patreksfjordur
Leg Distance: 43.34 Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.
Isafjordur(BIIS) to Flateyrl(POI22)
Distance: 9.23NM Bearing: 281° 4 minutes
Journey to the west of Ísafjörður Airport to Flateyri, a tiny, remote village in the northwest of the island.
Flateyrl(POI22) to Pinjeyri(POI23)
Distance: 10.35NM Bearing: 191° 5 minutes
Just south of Flateyri lies Thingeyri, one of the oldest villages in this part of Iceland.
Pinjeyri(POI23) to Anarfjordur(POI24)
Distance: 9.74NM Bearing: 235° 5 minutes
Navigate southwest of Thingeyri and you’ll soon be soaring over Arnarfjörður, one of the largest fjords in this region of Iceland.
Anarfjordur(POI24) to Patreksfjordur(POI25)
Distance: 11.4NM Bearing: 226° 5 minutes
Two small mountain ranges farther southwest and you’ll reach Patreksfjörður.
Patreksfjordur(POI25) to Patreksfjordur(BIPA)
Distance: 2.62NM Bearing: 173° 1 minutes
Cross over the narrow fjord and land at Patreksfjörður Airport.
Leg 8
Patreksfjordur to Reykjavik
Leg Distance: 154.84 Approximate time at 125kts: 74 minutes.
Patreksfjordur(BIPA) to Snaefellsjokull(POI26)
Distance: 43.69NM Bearing: 187° 21 minutes
44 nautical miles south of Patreksfjörður Airport is one of Iceland's most famous landmarks, Snæfellsjökull, a beautiful volcano.
Snaefellsjokull(POI26) to Grundarfjord(POI27)
Distance: 13.86NM Bearing: 80° 7 minutes
Just east ofSnæfellsjökull lies Grundarfjörður, a small village located where deep sea and steep mountains dramatically meet.
Grundarfjord(POI27) to Eldborg(POI28)
Distance: 25.14NM Bearing: 120° 12 minutes
East-southeast of Grundarfjörður lies Eldborg Crater, a volcanic creation that has a near-circular form, and is best seen from the air.
Eldborg(POI28) to Borgarnes(POI29)
Distance: 18.65NM Bearing: 158° 9 minutes
Surrounded by forests, and steeped in history, Borgarnes lies 8.6 nautical miles southeast of Eldborg.
Borgarnes(POI29) to Glymur Waterfall(POI30)
Distance: 19.33NM Bearing: 129° 9 minutes
19.3 nautical miles southeast of Borgarnes lies Glymur Waterfall.
Glymur Waterfall(POI30) to Thingvellir National Park(POI31)
Distance: 8.63NM Bearing: 169° 4 minutes
A short distance from Glymur Waterfall is Thingvellir National Park, one of the most spectacular destinations in Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park(POI31) to Reykiavik(POI32)
Distance: 23.56NM Bearing: 266° 11 minutes
Reykjavík, the capital and most populous city in Iceland, lies just west-southwest of Thingvellir National Park.
Reykiavik(POI32) to Reykjavik(BIRK)
Distance: 1.98NM Bearing: 147° 1 minutes
This incredible exploratory journey comes to a close at Reykjavík Airport.
