Iceland’s Hidden Gems: Untouched Beauty for Stunning Photos

If you're going to Iceland, take a camera. Okay, modern phones might well be good enough, but you will want those memories. Whether you're photographing the Northern Lights, cute architecture, or spectacular scenery of Iceland's hidden gems, you'll have plenty of options to record this country's beauty.

Of course, some shots are iconic, but if you want to take your photography somewhere different, then check out some of our favorite hidden wonders. These are places that not so many people go to that have some of Iceland's best photo ops. Many can only be reached on foot, by 4x4 vehicle, or during certain seasons—but every journey is worth it.

South & Southwest Iceland

Þakgil Canyon

Also called "Roof Canyon, Þakgil Canyon is tucked away just east of Vik, and is a place for serious hikers. To get there, you will have to travel across F Roads, which means you will need a 4WD vehicle—driving on F roads in Iceland in a regular car is both illegal and potentially dangerous. You will turn off the Ring Road to Vik, then take Kerlingardalsvegur, which is rocky but well-maintained and leads to a camping area and trailhead. Pack layers and rain gear...yes, even in summer. One short hike for the less fit or mobile, the 0.5-mile ravine walk, has pretty views.

But to get the most out of it, you'll need to head out on one of the longer, more difficult trails. Take hiking boots and consider poles, but when you get up to the top of the canyon, it's worth it. There are hidden waterfalls, moss-covered cliffs, and views of glaciers.

Kvernufoss Waterfall

Iceland has many beautiful waterfalls, but Kvernufoss is often overlooked, despite being in South Iceland's "waterfall alley." It's 30 meters, and has a cave behind it. If you're careful, you can walk behind the waterfall. Unless it's a hot day, though, take rain gear—you will get wet. Bus tours don't come here, likely because it's a 20-minute hike from the road, and you have to climb a stile.

It's easy to find, despite that, given it's right off the Ring Road next to the Skógar museum and close to the much more famous Skógafoss. And once you get there, the money shot is, of course, from behind the waterfall.

Nauthúsagil Canyon

This is another place for the waterfall lovers. Nauthúsagil (Bull Shed Ravine, so called because there used to be a bull shed at the entrance), offers beautiful light with the ravine itself sheltered by rowan trees. With a bit of a hike, you can find the "hidden" waterfall, although the ravine does have more than one. It's mossy, wet, and looks like something out of a fantasy movie. Wear good boots, though; parts of the trail are wet and slippery, and sometimes it's easier just to splash into the stream. Gloves are a good idea as part of the trail, which involves a fixed chain. But the photos are worth it, especially if you enjoy shooting waterfalls.

Háifoss Waterfall

Háifoss means "High Waterfall," because it was at one point believed to be the tallest in Iceland. (It's now known to be number five). It's off the Golden Circle, so a great choice if you are doing an extended Golden Circle (it's a bit far for a day trip from Reykjavik). The road is rough gravel, and while it's not technically an F road, we still recommend a 4x4 vehicle.

However, this one doesn't require much hiking once you get to the parking lot. It's a short walk on a wide gravel trail that's easy for anyone. However, if you want to go a bit further, you can take the longer (but still fairly easy) trail down to the base of the fall and get more pictures from there. There are a few other waterfalls in the area to check out.

Iceland’s Hidden Gems: With mossy cliffs and misty air, the towering Háifoss waterfall creates a scene you’ll never forget.

Gjáin Valley (Þjórsárdalur)

If you have more time in that area, head into the Þjórsárdalur valley and visit Gjáin. This involves more gravel road driving and, again, we recommend a 4x4 vehicle. And the trails are steep, so break out those hiking boots. Stay on the marked trails; they're doing trail restoration, so some things that look like trails may actually be closed.

On your walk through the valley, you can take good shots of waterfalls, pools, and interesting volcanic rock formations.

West & Westfjords

Rauðisandur Red Sand Beach

Rauðisandur is truly spectacular. Over 10km of red and orange sandy beach...not black like most Icelandic beaches. It could play the surface of Mars in a movie, with the expanse of red sand and red cliffs nearby. It's at its best on a sunny day—the sand tends to turn brown under overcast skies—and check the tide charts, because you want to be here at low tide. Keep your eyes open, too; seals sometimes visit the beach. The road is not paved, but it's not as scary as some unpaved roads. Check out the nearby café, Franska Kaffihusid, known for its waffles. Wear good boots, as the beach is sometimes wet in places. There may also be washed-up jellyfish. Plenty to photograph here, even if you don't find seals.

Iceland’s Hidden Gems: Rauðisandur is a remote red-sand beach in Iceland’s Westfjords, where vivid shores meet cliffs and serene natural beauty.

Glymur Waterfall

Much closer to Reykjavik, but a bit of a hike, Glymur Waterfall is another really tall waterfall. Which doesn't do it justice, it's tucked in a spectacular ravine, on its way to becoming a canyon. It's an hour's drive along a gorgeous coastline. Despite being a hidden gem, it can get busy on nice days, so consider getting there early. Then plan to hike up to the waterfall. Wear good boots. There's a log at the first river crossing, although you can splash through the river if you don't have good balance. 

Be aware that this hike has some very steep drop-offs and is not great for people with height issues. But that's where some of the most spectacular views are. Bring a pair of water shoes for the second river crossing—it's uncomfortable barefoot.

North Iceland

Aldeyjarfoss

If you haven't already worked it out, "foss" means "waterfall." Aldeyjarfoss has beautiful basalt columns. You have to drive through the Bárðardalur valley and across a wooden bridge. There's a place to park on the far side; if you don't have a 4x4, you'll have to park here and then hike the rest of the way...but it does have toilet facilities. There's a short walk through a lava field to get a good view...you can scramble down to a viewpoint closer to the river, but that's challenging.

Hvítserkur Sea Stack

Iceland's sea stacks, some of which are believed to be petrified trolls, are a key part of this beautiful landscape. Hvítserkur is one of them and is considered a troll, but it is also nicknamed Rhino Rock for reasons that are very obvious to the visitor. Go in the early summer, and the rock is covered with nesting seagulls, shag, and fulmar, to the point where it might almost seem to move. It's easy to get to, and if you're brave, you can go down to the beach (but watch the tide carefully; like a lot of Icelandic beaches, sneaker waves are a thing here). Go early in the morning or late in the evening for the best effects.

Botnstjörn Pond (Ásbyrgi area)

This is a place that might not seem to connect to the rest of Iceland. Botnstjörn pond is tucked in a birch forest. Spring, when a small waterfall flows into the pond, is the best time to visit, but it's lovely in summer too. The walk is short and easy...even people with limited mobility can often make it to the pond. It's in Vatnajökull National Park, not far from Husavik (if you're going whale watching), and one of the roads is paved all the way, so you don't need a 4x4.

East Iceland

Hengifoss Waterfall

If you're doing the circuit and find yourself in east Iceland, Hengifoss Waterfall is worth a visit. One of Iceland’s hidden gems, it's the second-tallest waterfall. But that's not the big deal here...the layers of rock look like a chocolate cake with strawberry or raspberry cream (actually red clay). It's a moderate one-hour hike with all of the streams bridged. You'll also pass a cute little 2-step waterfall, Litlanesfoss, with spectacular basalt columns. No 4x4 needed, but you do need to be able to manage the hike.

Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon

Hafrahvammaglúfur Canyon is considered the best gorge in Iceland. You can get pictures of spectacular cliffs and a stark landscape of volcanic rock. This is a harder place to get to...it's at least a one and a half hours drive from the ring road and some routes leading there are F roads here you will need a 4x4 vehicle with good ground clearance so selcet the route there depending on your vehicle and season. Then hike along the rim of the canyon, but be careful, especially if it's windy. The canyon is not fenced. We don't recommend loose hats. The best images are actually right by the parking lot, but you can also take a steel staircase down into the valley beneth. Iceland's Hidden Gems: Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon in East Iceland reveals dramatic cliffs and wild highland beauty carved by ancient rivers.

Highlands & Interior

Sigöldugljúfur (Valley of Tears)

Few people make it into the central Highlands, but Sigölduglúfur is a reason to make the trek. The tears? The waterfalls that tumble down the edge of the valley into the turquoise glacier water. The colors here are spectacular! You have to drive a good distance on F roads (4x4 required) and then hike to get there, and even then, the road is typically only open between mid-June and mid-September. Be careful on the canyon edge. The best view is at the bend in the canyon. Avoid going down the canyon—people do it, but it's steep. Instead, appreciate the views from the edge, and maybe get some pictures of the lava field too.

Ljótipollur Crater Lake

It wouldn't be Iceland without an old volcano. Ljótipollur Crater Lake is a fantastic example, with cliffs that glow red and a spectacular view. Early in the evening is excellent. The sunsets here are spectacular, and there's a point where the lake is in the shade and the hills are illuminated. You can walk all the way around the crater and get all the angles.

You'll need a 4x4 vehicle. It's at the junction between F225 and F208, and a good 4x4 will take you straight to the lake. If in doubt, it might be better to hike from the Landmannalaugur campsite. Don't stop at the first point of view, but keep going! The colors here are what you want to capture.

Grænihryggur Ridge

Grænihryggur Ridge is also called the green ridge or green backbone, and there is nothing like it. It resembles nothing more or less than a sleeping dragon. What it actually is is exposed rhyolite. This one is for serious hikers. You'll need a 4x4 to get there and then follow the marked trail. This involves river crossings, snow bridges (even in summer), wading shoes, and trekking poles, but all of the scenery is worth it on the way, with some really spectacular mountain views.

Get Ready to Explore Iceland’s Hidden Gems

Seeing Iceland's hidden gems requires knowledge and the right gear. If you want to check some of them out, you should contact Tour.is. We rent 4x4s suitable for Iceland's toughest roads, can help you with a custom itinerary, or find you guided tours for a safer way to visit these remote areas. Let us help you design your perfect Iceland photography trip.