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FALL (September - October)

Fall months bring a decrease in temperatures, but also come with some benefits. As in spring, fall is the off-season and is a prefect time to visit and avoid the crowds and high prices. You'll also have a chance to spot the aurora borealis on clear days. In fact some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights are on clear autumn nights in late October, before winter weather with it's thick clouds obscured the view.  Landscapes are awash with red, orange and yellow hues, interspersed with patches of bright green moss on the lava fields. 

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THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL:

Apart for the usual activities (Diving or snorkeling in Silfra, Horseriding, Kayaking, waterfalls, etc) you can also enjoy the following: 

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Swim in the many natural pools/hot springs 

Iceland’s hot water baths are an essential part of the local culture, both in a social context as well as a health context.   Reykjavík’s public pools are open all year round, but the island also has hundreds of hidden “hot pots” that tap directly into the geothermal activity under its lava-filled surface.  

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They are best visited in September and October when the crowds have thinned, but the roads are still accessible.

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It is recommended that you visit Icelands most famous geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon, during this off season, as hundreds of thousands of people flock here annually, most in the peak season. 

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Witness a Round-up 

In early spring visitors can experience the beautiful and remote back country while witnessing and even partaking (experienced riders) in The Big Round-Up. This is an age-old Icelandic farming tradition where farmers spend up to a week rounding up the sheep and herding them home from the highland pastures where they spend their summers.  Historically, this was a man's job, but women have increasingly joined in. Once the flocks are penned and sorted, the farming communities celebrate by singing, dancing, and drinking late into the night.  

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While most participants are experienced riders, some people will use 4WD vehicles or walk; and others are just spectators and come for the party.  Visitors are welcome to partake in some round-ups, but it's not all 'fun and games' and involves standing in positions alone for long hours, often in the rain. 

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Besides sheep, in late September or early October, free-roaming horses in the North are also round-up.  

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