The Diamond Circle is a sightseeing driving route in North Iceland. The loop is about 250 kilometers long. It starts near Akureyri, which sits about 30 kilometers from the route.
What the Diamond Circle is and where it begins
The Diamond Circle is often described as North Iceland's counterpart to the Golden Circle in the south. Akureyri is the largest town in North Iceland.
The five signature stops along the loop
The route connects five main attractions: Godafoss waterfall, Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss waterfall, Asbyrgi canyon, and the town of Husavik.
Godafoss waterfall drops from a height of 12 meters and is about 30 meters wide. The name Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and its name is linked to Iceland's conversion to Christianity around the year 1000. More facts about the waterfall are in this guide to Godafoss.
Lake Myvatn covers about 37 square kilometers and has an average depth of about 2.5 meters. Lake Myvatn was formed about 2300 years ago by a large basaltic lava eruption. The name Myvatn means Midge Lake, after the swarms of small flies around the water in summer.
Dettifoss has a drop of about 44 meters and is around 100 meters wide.
Asbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon roughly 3.5 kilometers long and just over 1 kilometer wide, with cliff faces up to 100 meters high. Asbyrgi and Dettifoss lie within the Jokulsargljufur area, which has been part of Vatnajokull National Park since 2008.
Husavik is one of Iceland's oldest settlements, with a history going back to Norse settlement around 870 AD. Husavik is known as Iceland's whale watching capital, and commercial whale watching there began in 1995. Whales seen from Husavik in Skjalfandi bay include humpback whales, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins.
How far apart the stops are and how to split your days
From Akureyri past Godafoss to Lake Myvatn is about 50 kilometers, roughly a 45 minute drive. From Lake Myvatn to Dettifoss is about 60 kilometers, roughly a 50 minute drive. From Dettifoss to Asbyrgi is about 36 kilometers, roughly a 30 minute drive. From Asbyrgi to Husavik is about 60 kilometers, roughly a 45 minute drive.
Driving the Diamond Circle non-stop takes about 4 hours. Most travelers need about 8 to 10 hours to complete the full loop in a single day with stops. Setting aside 2 to 3 days is recommended to explore the Diamond Circle area properly. You can use the driving distance tool for route distances.
When to drive the route and what to expect on the roads
Dettifoss can be reached from the west on Route 862, which is paved, or from the east on Route 864, which is a gravel road. Part of the Ring Road, Route 1, links Akureyri and the Myvatn area and forms the western leg of the route. More route details are in this guide to Dettifoss.
Comparing guided tours and self-drive options in North Iceland
You can compare North Iceland tours to see the current options.