There’s a reason the Golden Circle draws the crowds. It’s easy to access, packed with big-ticket natural sights, and if I’m honest, it can easily be ticked off in a day.
But if your idea of travel leans more towards discovery than dodging elbows at the main photo ops, this is where the adventure really starts.
Beyond the familiar loop lies a quieter, wilder side of Iceland. One where hidden geothermal pools steam quietly in the hills. Where waterfalls don’t have viewing platforms. And where you can still hear your own footsteps crunching through volcanic gravel (not the moss, remember!)
This guide isn’t me simply telling you to skip the highlights. Instead, it’s about elevating them with something more unexpected, to allow you to get more out of this spectacular region than what the tourism companies will show you (probably because they want to get home).
Discovering Iceland’s Lesser-Known Natural Wonders
You’ve heard of Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir. They’re the tourist trifecta of the Golden Circle. And for good reason, they’re dramatic, powerful, and very much the stars of the Icelands Instagram world.
But here’s the thing.
If I’m honest with you, in peak summer, they can feel more like a theme park queue than a brush with Icelandic nature. The real magic often lies just off the main loop, in quiet valleys, secret waterfalls, and locals-only hot springs. These are the places where you might share the view with a cheeky bleaty sheep instead of a coachload of tourists.
1. Brúarfoss: The Hidden Blue Waterfall
If the sky melted into a river, it would probably look like Brúarfoss. This electric blue waterfall has the kind of colour that makes you question whether your eyes are lying or if someone slipped a filter over reality.
Hidden behind an unassuming turnoff between Laugarvatn and Geysir, Brúarfoss doesn’t hand itself over easily (it’s basically a small car park by a short bridge). You’ll need to commit to a short but sometimes muddy hike that includes a few stream crossings and the occasional enigmatic Icelandic Horse encounter.
But when you reach the footbridge and see that vibrant glacial meltwater pouring through ancient lava, you’ll forget every squelchy step.
There are no barriers or queues. And, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, I recommend crossing the bridge and clambering down a few stones to get much closer to the water. Be careful not to slip mind, as these waters make look shallow, but they’re very strong currents so always approach with caution.
And, yes, like all Icelandic waterfalls, please try to make sure you don’t spoil it’s appetite by feeding your drone to it.
2. Hrunalaug: A Rustic Hot Spring With a View
Hrunalaug is what the Blue Lagoon would be if it went back to its roots and ditched the influencer crowd. A handful of ancient stone-walled pools, a delightfully questionable hut that probably predates your Airbnb account, and absolutely no tiled walkways or mood lighting.
This rustic hot spring is nestled in a grassy hollow just outside the village of Flúðir, making it the ultimate geothermal detour for guests staying at The Hill Hotel.
The water is toasty, the air is fresh, and the only soundtrack is birdsong and the occasional splash of someone braving the cool side-pool (usually).
Early morning visits bring misty calm and golden light. Evenings are for soaking under pink skies with the distant nei’s (I assumed Icelandic Horses had simply identified the word no in Iceland) of Icelandic horses adding a soundtrack of disapproval to your fashion choices.
There are no lockers. No wristbands. Just you, the water, and a rare kind of Icelandic peace that feels like you’ve borrowed someone’s secret place.
It’s not luxury, but you came to Iceland so that’s kind of the point.
3. Skálholt: Iceland’s Spiritual Heart
Skálholt might not have geysers or waterfalls, but it has stories. Big ones (especially if you love church).
This was once the cultural and religious capital of Iceland. The kind of place where bishops held power, ancient manuscripts were written, and big decisions were made under candlelight in thick woollen robes (not Hogwarts).
Wander the grounds and you’ll find layers of history tucked into every stone. There’s a museum underneath the modern church, where relics and bones remind you just how deep the roots go from our once Viking past.
The church itself is striking in its simplicity. No gold leaf or stained glass excess. Just clean lines, soft acoustics, and an atmosphere that practically demands hushed tones.
If you time it right, you might catch the organist rehearsing, filling the space with the kind of music that makes you wonder if you accidentally wandered into a Nordic period drama.
It’s a peaceful pitstop and a lovely reset between geothermal dips and waterfall hikes. Stay a while. Maybe even light a candle. The trolls won’t judge you for it (no matter what religion they might be).
4. Gjáin: A Fairy-Tale Canyon in the Highlands
Imagine someone let a Studio Ghibli animator loose in Iceland with a crate of moss and a soft spot for tiny waterfalls (maybe several lagers, also). The result would be Gjáin.
This tucked-away canyon in Þjórsárdalur Valley is a scene straight out of a Tolkien-esq novel that never got published because it was too wholesome (maybe a dodgy editor as well).
Water trickles gently over velvet-green stones. Delicate wildflowers line the paths as if hand-placed by elves with a degree in aesthetic landscaping. And ancient lava formations twist and rise like the ruins of some forgotten troll kingdom.
There are footbridges, secret nooks, and picnic spots that make you forget the concept of time (maybe not Hawking, but everyone else, yes). All of it wrapped in a silence so pure, even your inner monologue whispers.
It’s a little out of the way, sure. But that’s half the charm. Especially if you want to swap crowds for magic and feel like a Hobbit on a proper, moss-covered sabbatical.
5. Þjórsárdalur Valley: Waterfalls, Forests, and Viking Ruins
Speaking of the valley, Þjórsárdalur is the unsung hero of South Iceland. It has the drama without the drama queens. A rugged landscape shaped by volcanic eruptions and softened by green pockets of birch and pine that actually count as forests by Icelandic standards.
Here, you’ll find Hjálparfoss crashing over basalt columns as waterfalls in Iceland tend to do. And just up the road, a full-scale reconstruction of a Viking-era farmstead at Stöng that has yet to be shot in a film or TV show to my recollection (and subsequent Google search).
There are hiking trails that zigzag through lava fields, picnic spots that feel like nature’s own lounges, and viewpoints so empty you’ll start questioning where all the other tourists went which is always a result.
Unlike the polished, selfie-heavy Golden Circle stops, Þjórsárdalur feels untouched, unfiltered, and slightly feral in the best possible way.
Pack a lunch. Charge your camera. And keep an eye out for local trolls offering real estate deals (Icelanders tend to think they look like rocks). This valley has a way of making you want to stay longer than planned.
6. Secret Lagoon: Soak in History Without the Crowds
The Secret Lagoon isn’t that secret anymore. But it still feels refreshingly unpretentious compared to some of Iceland’s other geothermal hot spots.
No glossy ticket counters. No LED-lit cave saunas. Just naturally warm water, drifting steam, and a backdrop of bubbling geothermal activity that hums away like an old kettle on the boil.
Built in 1891, this is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, and it hasn’t forgotten its roots. The water is fed directly from a nearby hot spring, meaning it stays consistently steamy with zero chemical nonsense. Tiny geysers pop and hiss around the edge, and as a guest of the Hill Hotel you’ll be entitled to a 15% discount, just because.
It’s especially magical in the evening, when the light fades, the steam thickens, and the entire pool feels like a cosy cauldron under the open sky, where in winter you can often see the Northern Lights.
And the cherry on top? It’s a two-minute drive from The Hill Hotel, making it the ultimate low-effort, high-reward way to end your day (low effort goes well with a beer with the dip). Slippers optional. Satisfaction guaranteed.
7. Kerið Crater: Colourful, Quiet, and Perfect for a Quick Stop
Kerið looks like a volcano that someone filled with Kool-Aid (fortunately, no one has drunk from it yet). It’s got that surreal, cartoon-level contrast of fire-red slopes and a blue-green lake that disguises itself with thick layers of ice in the winter (and, yes, you can walk and skate on it).
The crater is roughly 3,000 years old and honestly doesn’t look a day over 2,000. Once the site of explosive volcanic drama, it now rests quietly as one of the prettiest geological leftovers you’ll stumble across.
It’s right on the route between Selfoss and Laugarvatn, which means it’s incredibly easy to visit without derailing your plans. You can take a twenty-minute stroll around the rim or descend the stairs for a close-up look (and an unbeatable photo op if you’ve remembered your wide-angle lens or even a selfie stick…if they are still a thing?)
It rarely gets overcrowded, especially if you arrive early or during dinner hours when everyone else is chasing burgers or waterfalls.
Not a bad picnic spot if you like your sandwiches served with a side of colourful volcanic drama and zero competition for the view.
8. Faxi Waterfall: Gullfoss’s Quiet Cousin
Everyone knows Gullfoss. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s got more visitors than a free buffet in Reykjavík (ok, almost).
But have you met Faxi?
It’s smaller. Less powerful. But infinitely more enjoyable, in my opinion, given how little is known about it.
This wide, gentle cascade flows over smooth rocks in a tranquil setting that feels like someone hit the pause button on Iceland.
You can park just steps from the waterfall, which is ideal if you’re the sort of person who likes your natural wonder stops with minimal cardio effort. There’s a salmon ladder here too, where you can watch Iceland’s most determined fish making the ultimate leap of faith (sadly it’s not a good idea to bring a plate, but get some in our restaurant in the evening for sure).
And if you time it right, the nearby riverside restaurant sends out smells so good you’ll seriously consider abandoning your plans to just eat and stare at water for the rest of the day.
It’s an ideal photo stop, snack break, or quiet moment between other major attractions and activities in the Golden Circle region.
Faxi doesn’t need to shout to impress. It just flows (it did take me a while to develop this pun so please enjoy it).
9. Friðheimar Greenhouse Café: Hidden Tomato Toast and Local Charm
No queues. No megaphones. Just coffee, tomato toast, soup, coffee, ice-cream, chutney..you get the idea it’s tomato heaven.
Fríðheimar is a humble geothermal greenhouse with a café and restaurant in Reykholt, where the tomatoes are grown within arm’s reach of your plate and the staff know exactly how strong you like your coffee.
It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think while munching on something fresh and warm. The seating is simple, the atmosphere is calm, and the it’s a wonderful and cosy interior in winter, and refreshing to sit outside in summer.
It’s owned and run by locals who genuinely seem to love what they do, and the food has that wonderful homemade feel that makes you forget about menus entirely.
A perfect stop to refuel your stomach and reset your pace.
You didn’t hear it from me. (But you should definitely go.)
10. Urriðafoss: Iceland’s Overlooked Powerhouse
Urriðafoss doesn’t make the glossy postcards. And that’s exactly why you should go.
Often overshadowed by its louder cousins, this low-slung giant is one of the most voluminous waterfalls in all of Iceland. It doesn’t roar as much as it rumbles, a constant, thunderous rush of glacial meltwater that pours over wide basalt ledges in a dramatic, horizontal curtain.
It’s the kind of place that humbles you quietly. No crowds. No entry fees. Just raw power and a viewing platform that lets you feel it in your bones (and ring in your ears, which goes without saying).
On a clear day, the surrounding countryside rolls out like a green quilt, with distant volcanoes lounging on the horizon like they’ve got nowhere to be.
It’s the perfect spot to stretch your legs, shoot some moody waterfall snaps without the need to Photoshop others out later, or just stare into the spray and contemplate the meaning of life (or at least what’s for dinner).
Best of all? It’s an easy detour from the Ring Road and less than an hour from The Hill Hotel.
Big energy. Zero chaos. Highly recommended.
11. Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Spa Without the Hype
It’s like the Blue Lagoon had a more relaxed younger cousin who chose to listen to vinyl and make their own sourdough. Fontana sits peacefully on the edge of Lake Laugarvatn, offering steamy relaxation with none of the chaos.
Its hot pools are fed by natural springs, and one of its most endearing features is the steambath, built directly above a bubbling geothermal vent like a hot spring-themed speakeasy.
Also worth noting, you can charge straight into the cold lake from the edge if you’re feeling heroic (or competitive). Or you can do the far more sensible thing and stay in the warmth, watching brave souls leap in while you sip coffee with your towel still firmly on.
It’s calm, clean, and carries just the right amount of Icelandic quirk to make it memorable without trying too hard. You come out feeling like you’ve done something good for your soul, without needing to share it on Instagram, Facebook, or whichever platform is your social poison, to prove it.
Self-Drive Tips From Reykjavík or Flúðir
Start early. Bring snacks. Download offline maps. That rhymes, I’m proud, so say it aloud (and write it down).
The roads around the Golden Circle are well-paved and easy to navigate. Even gravel sections to places like Brúarfoss or Gjáin are manageable with a small car in summer.
If you’re staying at The Hill Hotel, our team can help you plan the perfect day trip. Ask at reception for routes, weather updates, or the best routes to take.
How to Plan an Unforgettable Detour
Don’t try to cram all eleven into one day. Pick three or four based on how you’re feeling. Hot spring kind of day? Do Hrunalaug, Secret Lagoon, and Fontana.
Waterfall chaser? Faxi, Brúarfoss, and Þjórsárdalur have you covered.
And if you want to do it right, base yourself at The Hill Hotel in Flúðir, in case I haven’t said that enough.
Why The Hill Hotel in Flúðir Is the Ideal Base
I’m not saying it’s the best boutique hotel in the Golden Circle, but I’d personally argue, it’s in the top one. All quirks aside, it’s a great place to rest and treat yourself to something more luxurious without the price tag, and in the midst of some of the best attractions in the country, so you really can’t go wrong.
The Hill Hotel offers the kind of peaceful, geothermal-adjacent, low-key luxury that tired legs dream of.
It’s a two-minute drive from the Secret Lagoon. Ten minutes from Hrunalaug. Thirty from Gullfoss.
The restaurant serves food that actually tastes like food. The coffee is strong. And the terrace is made for watching sunsets or auroras with a glass of something local.
Just peace, space, and a very good night’s sleep.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Circle is famous for a reason. But the soul of Iceland lives in its quieter corners.
The mossy valleys. The steaming rivers. And, the tomato-obsessed greenhouse attractions.
Base yourself somewhere that makes room for those slower moments. Book your stay at The Hill Hotel and find the Iceland you didn’t know you needed.