How to Avoid Crowds and Find Solitude in Iceland’s Wilderness by Car

A wilderness can be defined as a place undisturbed by human activity and such empty regions are relatively easy to find in Iceland. The country has many popular attractions and visitor destinations that throng with people throughout the year. Yet, it’s not hard to venture off the beaten track. The easiest way to do it? Rent a car and hit the road. Here’s how to avoid crowds and find solitude in Iceland’s wilderness.

Time your visit carefully

Iceland’s summers are brief, but in fine weather there’s no place better. As a consequence, the number of tourists soars during the warmer months. Buck the trend and travel out of season, however, and you might be surprised at how few people you encounter. Even in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn you’ll find it easier to locate places where there’s just you and the view. Winter driving can be off-putting for some, but so long as you heed weather warnings it doesn’t have to be so daunting - and the reward is a greater likelihood of finding that wilderness you crave.

Plan an itinerary that focuses on quiet spots

Even in summer, it’s possible to escape to a secluded spot - you just need to take a little extra care with your planning. While the majority of road trippers will find themselves on the scenic south coast section of the ring road at some point during their trip, a much smaller proportion make it to the Westfjords, East Iceland or the Highlands region, as well as certain parts of the north. It follows, logically, that if you spend more of your time in these parts of Iceland you’ll improve your chances of giving everyone else the slip.

Make the most of turnoffs and detours

With your own vehicle, there’s no rule that says you need to stick to the main roads. In fact, some of Iceland’s most rewarding places are found if you take gravel tracks and F-roads. Instead of trying to cover as much ground as possible, do the exact opposite. Allocate more time to a smaller area - this will encourage you to seek out overlooked spots. Who knows? You might stumble upon an overlooked waterfall, isolated church or unspoilt beach.

Get up early or stay up late

You won’t have to travel as far afield to find Iceland’s wilderness areas if you capitalise on the times of day when other tourists have retreated to their hotels. In summer, the country is blessed with plenty of daylight, so make the most of it. For example, what’s to stop you heading out as dawn breaks or taking a late night drive to a pretty locale? Splitting your day or shifting your sightseeing time like this is a remarkably simple strategy but highly effective.

Do your homework

Before you set off for Iceland, take a look at the map and shortlist some potential wilderness areas that you might reach by car. If most visitors turn right, go left instead. Follow a gravel road along the edge of a fjord, venture deeper into the countryside where you might find a hidden waterfall or seek out a secluded beach. Ignore the roads that cut corners and instead follow a snaking route that winds through the very places others are in such a rush to avoid.

Park up for a bit and walk

Sometimes the car can only get you so far and to truly find peace and quiet you need to take a walk. Iceland’s blessed with a slew of trails, from easy paths that barely require you to check your map to multi-day hikes that require a lot more stamina. If you’re prepared to leave the car behind even for a few hours and second guess where other hikers are likely to have gone, it’s possible you’ll be able to find yourself a place where no one else can impinge on your solitude.

Renting a car from Konvin unlocks a world of possibilities. Iceland’s a country with huge potential for wilderness seekers, so follow our suggestions and you might find the solitude you crave - even where you least expect it.