Plan in advange
To get to some of these places you need to book in advance as the number of visitors in some places is sometimes limited.
The summer is the time
The Highlands of Iceland are full of natural wonders created by the country’s location in the middle of the Atlantic ridge. Many places are worth visiting for their natural beauty and, not least, to enjoy the silence.
Snow covers the highland form October until beginning of June. During the wintertime the highlands are inaccessible by regular vehicles and regular 4×4 vehicles. Accessing the highlands during the winter requires specialist robust 4×4 vehicles and special knowledge. Some areas in the highlands are only accessible during the summer months. The highland roads are rough, unpaved gravel roads that often require vehicles to cross unbridged rivers. Before entering the highlands planning and preparation is needed.
Oasis in the Highlands
Many interesting places are in the highlands. In the north, we have Askja and the mountain Herðubreið, that have been chosen as Iceland’s national mountain. At the foothill of the national mountain is Herðubreiðarlindir, an oasis in the highlands.
The highlands of Iceland is situated 300 – 400 meters above sea level. The area is characterised by vast expanses of uninhabited terrain. It covers approximately 40% of Iceland and is one of the most remote and least populated areas in Europe.
Sometimes the highlands of Iceland is referred to as the last great wilderness in Europe.
The highlands of Iceland is characterised by dramatic landscapes that is shaped by the position of Iceland on the Platonic flakes as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in Iceland. The plates come together on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that goes through Iceland from the Reykjanes peninsula through the highlands and towards the ocean, northeast of Iceland.
Geothermal sites
Geothermal and volcano activity follows the tectonic plates, which shapes the highlands. The highlands are home to some of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, including Hekla and Askja. The highlands are renowned for its dramatic landscapes with beautiful lava fields, barren deserts with colourful mountains in between. Geothermal activity is quite common in some areas in the highlands with hot springs and colourful areas. The highlands are rich in geothermal activity, resulting in numerous hot springs scattered throughout the region. These natural pools are popular for relaxation and are surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Land of the glaciers
The highlands are home of numerous glaciers. The glaciers have been formed over thousands of years due to the accumulation of snow and ice. The glaciers have shaped the landscape and the river systems that intersect the highlands and adds to the diversity of the landscape.
11% of Iceland is covered with glaciers. The major glaciers are Vatnajökull glacier, Langjökull glacier, Hofsjökull glacier, as well as the glaciers of the south coast highlands Mýrdalsjökull glacier where the volcano Katla lures and the glacier Eyjafjallajökull.
Hekla the volcano
Hekla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes; Hekla dominates the landscape of the southern highlands. It has erupted numerous times throughout history and is surrounded by a starkly beautiful landscape of volcanic ash and rock formations
Vatnajökull glacier
Vatnajökull glacier is the largest glacier in Iceland and one of the largest in Europe by volume. It covers an area of approximately 8,100 square kilometers (3,100 square miles) in Southeastern Iceland. Vatnajökull is so massive that it encompasses several subglacial volcanoes, including Öræfajökull, Iceland’s tallest peak. Vatnajökull glacier and its surroundings form the Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Iceland and a Unesco World Heritage site. It covers the entire glacier and its vicinity. National parks are protected areas that are considered to be unique because of their natural or historical significance.
Peak Hvannadalshnjúkur
Hvannadalshnjúkur is the highest peak in Iceland. The peak is located near the southeastern coast of Iceland. The summit (2119 meters) offers outstanding panoramic views. Climbing it require professional guides and equipment.
Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk is also known as the “Valley of Thor,” this area is nestled between three glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull. Þórsmörk is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, with lush vegetation contrasting against the surrounding glaciers and rugged mountains.
Fjallabak Nature Reserve
Fjallabak is a vast wilderness area encompassing diverse landscapes, including volcanic mountains, glaciers, rivers, and hot springs.
It’s a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, with numerous hiking trails leading through some of Iceland’s most remote and untouched wilderness.
Landmannalaugar is situated in Fjallabak Reserve area and is the starting point of the well-known Laugavegur trek. Landmannalaugar a popular destination in the Highlands,
Landmannalaugar is known for its surreal landscapes, hot springs, and hiking trails. It’s a starting point for the famous Laugavegur Trek, which takes hikers through diverse terrain to the Þórsmörk Valley
Katla the volcano
Katla volcano is located beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the southern part of the country.
While Katla itself is not easily accessible for tourism due to its location beneath the glacier, the surrounding area, including the town of Vík í Mýrdal and nearby natural attractions such as the Reynisfjara the black beach and Dyrhólaey, are popular destinations.
Þjórsárdalur
The valley of Þjórsá is known for its diverse landscape and volcanic terrains, with waterfalls and birch forests. The canyon Gjáinn is in the valley and is one of the most beautiful destinations in South Iceland, with rivers and waterfalls. In Þjórsárdalur valley are remnants of Viking settlement with ancient ruins.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Fjaðrárgljúfur, a beautiful and narrow canyon with the Fjaðrá river flowing through the canyon, creating picturesque waterfalls and streams.
Lakagígar
volcano crater system Laki. Laki crater, are a series of volcanic craters and fissures that erupted between 1783-1784. The area is a major attraction for nature enthusiasts.
The eruption from Laki is also known as Skaftáreldar in Icelandic and mark the beginning of a period of hardship in Icelandic history.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. It is a protected wilderness area that is known for its rugged and dramatic landscapes, geothermal features, colourful rhyolite mountains, and pristine wilderness.
Landmannalaugar: Famous for its colourful rhyolite mountains, hot springs, and hiking trails, Landmannalaugar is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve and offers stunning views of the surrounding highlands.
Lake Langisjór
Lake Langisjór, inside the Vatnajökull National Park, is one of Europe’s most beautiful and pristine highland lakes, is tucked in between the beautiful Tungnárfjöll and Fögrufjöll Mountains at the western edge of Vatnajökull Glacier.
Measuring 20 km long and 2 km wide in some places, the lake is 27 sq km and 75m deepest and lies some 640m above sea level. The view around the lake is magnificent, and at the southern end of the lake stands Sveinstindur (1.090 m), which is considered by many to be one of the best views of the panorama of the surrounding area.
In clear weather, views over the crater system Lakagígar, the lava field Skaftáreldahraun, the peak Öræfajökul, and the mountain Hekla are possible.
Eldjá canyon
Eldgjá Canyon is within the Vatnajökull National Park. The Eldgjá Canyon is a fissure created by eruptions that took place in the year 934. The fissure is 60 km long and forms a canyon that extends from the mountain Gjátindur to the glacier Mýrdalsjökull in the southeast. The waterfall Ófærufoss is in the canyon. Eldgjá Canyon is a part of the Katla volcano system. The total lava flow from the Eldgjá Canyon was 19km3, which, makes the Eldgjá eruption the most volumetric lava flow from one eruption in historical time. Eldgjá Canyon is part of the concept called Katla Geopark. Eldgjá is the largest volcanic canyon in the world.
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