30 Dec DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland

The DC-3 plane wreck is a well-known tourist destination in Iceland, and for good reason. There are not many locations at which you can walk up to the wreckage of a U.S. Navy plane from the 1970s. That being said, pieces of the plane have deteriorated over time, and some individuals have also removed pieces they believed to be of value. What remains at the site is the shell of the plane and its wings, inviting you to take a look inside and snap some photos as it contrasts with the black sand beach. 

Need help crafting your itinerary for Iceland? Check out our detailed nine-day road trip itinerary. Feel free to copy it exactly or change these things as needed.

Contents:

1)  Location of DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland

2) General Visitor Information

3) Quick Facts

4) Background

5) Hiking Information

6) Tour Options

7) Recommended Items to Bring

8) Nearby Attractions

1) Location of DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland

The DC-3 plane wreck is located in southern Iceland along the coast. It is thus a perfect stop if you are traveling around all of Iceland or even just the southern region. However, there is not a big sign or anything denoting the attraction. Nevertheless, if you put the location in google maps and watch for the lot, you should be able to easily find it.

If you do not want to plan out the logistics of visiting yourself, then you can always book a south coast tour of Iceland that includes a stop here.

Parking

You cannot drive right up to the plane. Instead, you can park at the lot along the road, which then has a trail leading back to the wreckage. The lot is just a small pull-off from the Ring Road.

Nearby Lodging

We stayed the previous night at South Iceland Guesthouse before visiting the plane wreck the next day. We then stayed the following night at The Barn in Vík. Both were great lodging experiences, and we would thus recommend them to others. 

If you are road tripping around Iceland and are making your way to Thingvellir National Park next, check out the best hotels in the Golden Circle. On the other hand, you can always book a room at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland.

Heading inside of the plane wreck

2) General Visitor Information – Plane Wreck, Iceland

Ready for some good news? The DC-3 plane wreck in Iceland is open to visitors all day, every day. There are no restrictions for visiting hours or days. 

However, there is a small parking fee if you park at the lot right off the Ring Road. The fee is 750 ISK (~$5), and it lasts for the entire day. 

Lastly, you should plan for a minimum of 1.5 hours to visit the DC-3 plane wreck. A fast hiker can hike to the plane and back in approximately one hour, yet you also need to leave time for exploring and pictures. On the other hand if you tend to hike at an average speed or even a bit slower, plan for two or three hours in your itinerary. 

Close-up view of the DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland

3) Quick Facts

1. The DC-3 plane wreck is located in southern Iceland, just off the Ring Road. 

2. The hiking trail to the wreckage is approximately 4.6 miles (~7.4 kilometers) round trip. 

3. No one on board the plane was injured when the crash occurred. 

4. The crash occurred on November 21st, 1973. 

5. ATV expedition tours are offered in the area, and they include a visit to the plane wreck. 

View of the plane wreck from the inside

4) Background – Plane Wreck, Iceland

The United States and Iceland had a defense agreement in the 1970s, and thus it was normal for the U.S. to be flying over Iceland constantly. This particular plane, a U.S. Navy DC-3, was a cargo plane. More specifically, it was a Douglas R4D-8, Super DC-3. On November 21, 1973, the plane was flying from Höfn, which is a town in eastern Iceland, when it crashed on the Sólheimasandur black sand beach around 2:00pm. Thankfully, none of the seven crew members on board were seriously injured.

Concerning why the DC-3 plane wreck occurred, there are a couple of different theories. One theory is the pilot accidentally switched to the wrong fuel tank. Another theory is that icing damaged the plane during flight.

However, the plane wreckage will not be around forever. Underneath Mýrdalsjökull there is a volcano. When the next eruption occurs, flooding could then wash away the wreckage. So go check out the plane wreck along the black sand beach in Iceland today. You are welcome to take photos from outside the plane as well as inside. There is a sign posted asking individuals to not climb on top of the plane. Additionally, wherever you take pictures, be cautious as it is old and has sharp edges in some areas. 

If you are still not convinced you should visit, then you should know the DC-3 plane wreck is considered one of the most epic attractions in Iceland.

Flying around on the DC-3 Plane Wreck

5) Hiking Information  

Do not worry if you start the trail and cannot see the DC-3 plane wreck at the end. Additionally, do not worry if you cannot see it at any point along the trail. As we were walking along, we were not able to see any of the plane wreckage until we had basically arrived. There is a small hill right before the plane. You thus cannot see it until you are fairly close and start to descend. 

Once you park in the lot, you will see where the trail begins. Follow along the trail until you reach the plane. It is a fairly flat and straight walk with markers every so often to mark the path. 

If you are in search of additional hikes in Iceland, check out Svartifoss Waterfall in the east and the hike from Hellnar to Arnarstapi in the west.

Feeling the wind in my hair at the DC-3 Plane Wreck

Hiking Time to the Plane Wreck, Iceland

In terms of time needed to hike there and back, you will need around 1 hour 20 minutes to two hours. The trail is approximately two miles (~3.2 kilometers) long each way, but the path is rocky. The road trip hike is thus 4.6 miles (~7.4 kilometers) long. I would say we tend to walk at a slightly faster than average pace, yet it still took us over 30 minutes to hike there and another 30 minutes to hike back. The main concern is to watch your footing – when I say the path is rocky, I mean that it is made entirely of rocks. 

You are not allowed to drive up to the wreckage site, but instead you can walk or go with a tour company – see more information in the next section. 

“Falling” out of the plane wreckage

6) Tour Options – Plane Wreck, Iceland

While you are welcome to walk along the trail to the DC-3 plane wreck in Iceland, there are a couple of tour options to get you there as well.

For a fun fact, my favorite tour in Iceland that I experienced was glacier kayaking on the Glacier Lagoon.

ATV Expedition

• Price: starting around 17,600 ISK or $125 for a single rider
• Tour: South Coast ATV Tour
• Duration: ~2 hours 

First, you can book an ATV expedition where you drive along the black sand beach and to the plane wreckage. If you want to drive an ATV, you have to be at least 17 years old with a driver’s license. 

There are SO MANY other excursions offered in Iceland, including glacier kayaking and snorkeling between the tectonic plates. Be sure to plan for at least one or two more within your itinerary as well as your budget.

Shuttle Bus

• Price: starting around 2,500 ISK or $19
• Tour companies: Guide to Iceland; Mountain Guides
• Duration: ~30 minutes (driving time there and back)

Second, you can book a shuttle from the parking lot to the crash site. While personal vehicles are not allowed to drive to the site, the shuttle bus is the only vehicle with permission to do so. 

Exploring the DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland

7) Recommended Items to Bring

For additional packing recommendations for Iceland, check out my list of Iceland hiking essentials as well as my summer road trip packing list.

1. Water bottle: Please please please be sure to bring water if you plan to hike to the DC-3 plane wreck. Even though Iceland has cooler temperatures, you still need to drink water to stay hydrated. For example, I brought my Yeti water bottle everywhere in Iceland.

Waterproof Items

2. Waterproof backpack rain covers: You never know when it might just start pouring rain in Iceland. Better to be safe than sorry. 

3. Waterproof jacket: As I just said above, Iceland can have unpredictable weather. I kept my rain jacket with me at all times to be prepared for an unexpected shower. 

Hiking Items

4. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will be incredibly helpful as you walk along the rocky path. It is 4.6 miles (~7.4 kilometers) round trip and will take a minimum of one hour to complete.

5. Hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity simply due to the fact the trail is flat for the vast majority of the time. However, bring them along if you want a bit of extra support.

6. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice on the trail. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

Plane wreckage on the black sand beach

8) Nearby Attractions to the Plane Wreck in Iceland

Due to the fact the DC-3 plane wreck is right off the Ring Road in southern Iceland, there are plenty of nearby attractions. You can fit multiple of these attractions within one day. In addition to the attractions mentioned below, I recommend you check out the Yoda Cave and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon if you have extra time. 

Seljavallalaug Pool

The Seljavallalaug Bílastæði parking lot is the second of two parking lots located in the area. If you choose to park at this one, you will cut down on your walking time by about 15 minutes. After you park, simply walk along the river for about 20 minutes until you reach the pool. If you are looking for more privacy and adventure, continue walking about five minutes past the pool and you will reach two hidden hot springs.

What is better than relaxing at a geothermal pool after a day full of hiking and exploring? Drive only 20 minutes west from the plane wreck to reach Seljavallalaug. I recommend you plan at least an hour in your itinerary (if not more) to truly relax and enjoy the geothermal waters. For nearby lodging in the area, check out South Iceland Guesthouse.

For more information: What to Know Before Visiting Seljavallalaug Pool in Iceland and Best Hidden Hot Springs in Southern Iceland.

Seljavallalaug Pool with the changing rooms in the background

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Iceland, often with a rainbow right in front of it. If you have time for a longer visit, definitely hike the stairs next to the falls for a view from above. You can then continue on Fimmvorduhals Pass, which is about 15.5 miles (~25 kilometers) long. Hike for as long as you want – you can do the entire hike or turn around after 15 minutes. You will not be disappointed with the views, for the beginning of the hike is called Waterfall Way.  

Skógafoss is only 10 minutes west from the plane wreck. You can plan to stop here even if you only have 10 minutes, for the falls are just a short walk from the parking lot. For nearby lodging in the area, check out South Iceland Guesthouse.

For more information: Hiking Skógafoss (Fimmvorduhals Pass) in Iceland.

Rainbow at the base of Skógafoss

Black Sand Beach in Vík

You can spend as little or as much time here as you wish. If you have more time to spare, you can walk around the black sand beach as well as hike up to the lighthouse. The hike is approximately 45 minutes each way, but the view is well worth it. And did I mention we saw SO MANY puffins flying around? 

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is 25 minutes east from the plane wreck. The area has more to offer than just the beach. For example, you can also see basalt caves, sea arches, a lighthouse, and maybe even puffins. If you are in need of lodging in the area, check out The Barn.

For more information: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Vík, Iceland.

Taking in the views of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

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