Top 8 Things to do in the Highlands
The Icelandic Highlands is a rough and remote region in Iceland's interior.
The region is known for its enormous, inhospitable landscape, which includes glaciers, volcanic peaks, and large plateaus covered in moss and lichen.
Those in search of a genuine wilderness experience in one of the world's most unique landscapes should make a trip to the Highlands, which are largely uninhabited, and wild, and lack infrastructure.
Breathtaking colorful rhyolite mountains, vast lava fields, hot springs, and one-of-a-kind hiking paths ranging from short, moderate hikes to more difficult treks up to old volcanos for panoramic views of the area.
With a 600-meter (1,970 feet) elevation, Landmannalaugar is a part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
The only way to Landmannalaugar is over unpaved roads.You will have to drive on 'F-roads,' or rough, dirt roads, to get here.
To drive on these roads, you must have a 4X4 vehicle that has been approved by your rental car provider for use on F-roads.
If your rental car provider does not approve you to drive on F-roads, your insurance may be voided, and you may be charged.
On a good day, it takes roughly three hours to go 182 kilometers (113 miles) from Reykjavik.
Take Ring road route 1 east for about 1 hour and 15 minutes before turning left onto route F-26 to Landmannalaugar at the ÓB petrol station.
There are three different paths to Landmannalaugar from there.The F-roads to Landmannalaugar usually open in the middle of June and are open until the beginning of September.
However, depending on the weather, this timing may alter.
The first and easiest choice is Route 26.
Following a right turn onto F-208 South, follow F-224 to Landmannalaugar.The final 26 kilometers are gravel roads from the hydropower station to Landmannalaugar.
Alternate route is significantly tougher path, but gives you the option to view Hekla volcano.From Route 26, travel F-225 (Landmannalei) to F-208.
After turning right onto F-208, take a right onto F-224 to reach Landmannalaugar.
The third and MOST challenging choice but also said to be the most rewarding in terms of landscape and excitement.
This route includes river crossings and harsher areas than the previous two routes.
Instead of turning left on route 26 you continue on Ring road route 1 and drive past Vík.
Before you arrive at Kirkjubæjarklaustur you take a left turn on road F-208 and take that road to Landmannalaugar.
GPS: 63.983769, -19.066913
Landmannalaugar is a hiking paradise with mesmerizing volcanic characteristics.
You might climb to a mountain's summit, for example, to obtain a close-up view of these natural attractions.
Here below we will list down the most well-known hiking routes.
Þórsmörk, also known as the Valley of Thor, is a beautiful nature reserve in Iceland's South Highlands.
To reach there, you must ride in a super jeep across gigantic glacial rivers capable of destroying even the most formidable barriers.
However, if you manage to make it to the Valley of Thor, you will be in the midst of Iceland's most breathtaking hiking and photography paradise, or heaven, if you will.
Þórsmörk is located between three extremely powerful rivers, Krossá, Þröngá, and Markarfljót.
And three glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull.
The route into Þórsmörk is impassable from October 16th to April 30th.
From May 1st to October 15th it opens up, and a special four-wheel-drive mountain bus departs from Reykjavik three times every day.
If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we also offer a range of incredible MONSTER truck super jeep trips to choose from.
If you want to drive there yourself, you'll need a 4x4 with adequate insurance to cross the rivers.
It is crucial that you inform your car rental company that you'll be driving to Þórsmörk before leaving.
Please take this seriously!The Krossá River is famous for its capacity to even quadruple in size in a single day.
The journey from Reykjavik will take about 2 and a half to 3 hours, covering 152 kilometers (95 miles).
From Reykjavik's capital city you go east on Route 1 of the Ring Road along the South Coast for almost 1 hour and 46 minutes, heading toward Seljalandsfoss.
Turning left onto Road 249 follows.Road 249 is only accessible to medium-large 4X4 vehicles with big clearance and a snorkel.
GPS: 63.681535, -19.482106
In Þórsmörk, there are a variety of short and long hikes that may last anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to as long as 6 hours or more.
Each hike offers a distinct perspective and degree of challenge.
But, as the carrot at the end, they all share stunning scenery and breathtaking views.
Following are some excellent guides that you can hike in Þórsmörk:
The Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Range, found in Iceland's stunning and diverse Central Highlands, is a retreat for those who seek adventure and tranquility.
Surrounded by geothermal areas, steaming mud pools, colorful rainbow rhyolite mountains, and its mist-shrouded atmosphere and hot springs, this place is like a fantasy world.
The general rule in Iceland is that the Highland roads usually open in late June or early July.
Around September, they close again.
Kerlingarfjöll mountain range is accessible via the F-35 road once the roads are all open for traffic.
It is known by Icelanders as Kjalvegur or Kjölur Route.
If you are on a self-drive tour, the distance from Reykjavik is 192 kilometers (120 miles),
which takes around 3 and a half hours to drive.
You go to Mosfellsbær, follow Highway 36 to the Golden Circle,
and then travel that road to Þingvellir.
You turn left onto 365 Road after passing the Þingvallavatn Lake,
and continue until you reach Laugarvatn, where it becomes road 37.
This will take you to the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal region.The initial portion of the road is paved and comfortable, but beyond Gullfoss, it becomes an F-road.
From here, the road ascends to the Central Highlands
and passes between the two glaciers of Langjökull and Hofsjökull.
You will then notice a sign for Kerlingarfjöll on your right,
which will direct you to road F-347 that will lead you to the valley.
There, you will have to cross two rather simple unbridged streams.
GPS: 64.639381, -19.268591
Kerlingarfjöll Mountains are home to trolls, who, according to folklore, reside there.
They travel at night because the belief is that if they are exposed to sunshine, they will turn to stone.
Kerlingarfjöll, which translates as "Old Lady Mountain," actually gets its name from an old legend.
According to the legend, an old hag troll woman who was the daughter of the fire giant Surtur got trapped in the valley because the sunlight dawned so early.
You might be able to identify her 30-meter-tall stone pillar if you look closely.
Kerlingarfjöll went a long period without much attention.
The region did, however, begin to draw more tourists once a bridge across the Hvítá River was built in 1933.
Háifoss, which drops 128 meters (420 feet), is one of Iceland's tallest and most impressive waterfalls.
Its name can be translated as "The Tall Falls "Sitting in a narrow gorge leading into the Iceland Highland
from the valley Þjórsárdalur,
through which the river Fossá "Waterfall river" flows.
Falling off a two-million-year-old cliff your breath will be taken away by the overpowering majesty of this spot, which is surrounded by rocky terrain with dark colors.
Traveling east from Reykjavik, follow the Ring Road route 1.
Once you've passed through the town of Selfoss you'll turn left onto Road 30 and drive that road for about 16km.
Then you turn right onto Road 32, and follow this road for 17km to reach the magnificent valley of Þórsárdalur and up a hill to the highlands.
Keep an eye out for a sign on your left into road 332, where a rocky mountain path will lead you to the waterfall.
A 4X4 vehicle is required to get you to Háifoss.If your vehicle only has 2WD Read the following passage
.GPS: 64.207986, -19.686853
The final section of the F-road 332 is extremely difficult for 2WD vehicles, thus you should not even try it.
It would likely cause damage to your automobile and cancel your insurance at the same time.
Instead, you can leave your 2WD car at the Gljásteinn Hólaskógur Hostel and walk the remaining distance to the waterfall.
This is the nearest place to the waterfall where you can park.
A reasonable pace will allow you to trek to the waterfall in 1 to 1.5 hours from the parking lot of the hostel, which is about 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) away.
The road is primarily level during this distance, in a moderate incline.
GPS: 64.169510, -19.675696
Aldeyjarfoss is located in North Iceland's Skjálfandafljót river in the uppermost parts of the Bardardalur valley, along the Sprengisandur highland road.
It plunges tons of glacial water, and debris into a turbulent, pool of glacial water at a 20-meter drop, passing through a small canyon surrounded by twisted basalt columns.
It is a spectacular sight due to its power, rumbles, enormous basalt columns, and proximity, yet the waterfall's nature overpowers whatever aesthetic appeal it could have.
Since Aldeyjarfoss is close to Goðafoss waterfall, we'll provide you instructions from there so you can get there whether you're coming from Reykjavik, Egilsstaðir, or Akureyri.
If you need better instructions, check out Goðafoss.
First, we must advise that you are sure your rental car—preferably a 4X4—is permitted to go on F-roads (2WD can be enough on a dry summer day)Take Route 842 from Godafoss and follow the river up for about 40 kilometers.
This gravel road in the Bárðardalur valley is rugged although the drive is straightforward, take caution since there are sheep scurrying about.
At the Mýri farm, turn left and continue road F26 until you reach the waterfall.
If it is not a dry summer day, you will probably require a 4X4 to go all the way to the waterfall from here.
If you don't have a four-wheel drive and the conditions appear shady, you may park here and walk the rest of the way.
It should take roughly 40 minutes.
GPS: 65.366564, -17.336951
Close to Aldeyjarfoss, there is a camping ground and a guesthouse to choose from.
Hamrar Camping ground offers all of the basic accessories, such as a washing machine, a kitchen area, a toilet, and a variety of showers and other facilities.
In addition, it offers electricity, a playground, and boat rentals.
Hamrar GPS: 65.670339, -18.100232
Kiðagil Guesthouse, which is a lovely stay in Bárðadalur, is perfect for people seeking a peaceful atmosphere.
Basic amenities including free WIFI, TV room and breakfast.
Kiðagil GPS: 65.519096, -17.458861
You've probably seen photos of this iconic moss-green mountain rising like an emerald pyramid from the black sands of Mælifellssandur in the Icelandic highlands.
This 791-meter-tall volcano was hidden beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Iceland's third biggest glacier, until the glacier retreated at the end of the last ice age, or about 10,000 years ago.
Because of this natural wonder's beauty and photogenic qualities, tourist visits have increased significantly recently, and it has also appeared in movies like Noah and the television show Game of Thrones.
Mælifell is only accessible during the summer months.
Due to impassable F-roads, they are normally only open from June to September.
Keep in mind that due to the numerous river crossings and extremely rough terrain, these F-roads are only possible in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
That being said, if you rent a car in Reykjavik, the journey takes about three and a half hours or 184km (115 miles).
You drive east on Route 1 of the Ring Road.
Pass through Selfoss, and when you reach Hvolsvöllur, turn left onto Route 261.
Follow this road until it passes the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, then turn right onto Route F-210.
You will start to see the green pyramid on your left as you travel down that route.
GPS: 63.799827, -18.938369
Langjökull Glacier is Iceland's second-largest glacier.
Hence its name "The Long Glacier" it is not very wide, but covers 950 square kilometers, with a height of mind-boggling 1355 meters (4445 ft).
As a never-ending source of adventure, Langjökull is a popular tourist destination in Iceland, explorable by Super Jeeps or Snowmobiles, and typically includes excursions to captivating Ice Caves, as well as many skiing and hiking possibilities.
The most common route to Langjökull is through the Gullfoss waterfall as an extension of the Golden Circle route.
And what better way to round off a great day than with a snowmobiling adventure on the glacier?
The drive takes About 2 hours and 30 minutes or 159km (100 miles).
From Reykjavik, you go north on Route 1 of the Ring Road through Mosfellsbær, where you take the first exit off the last roundabout to reach Þingvellir National Park.
After crossing the Þingvallavatn Lake, turn left onto 365 Road; continue on this route until you reach Laugarvatn; at this point, it becomes road 37.
This will lead you to the Geysir geothermal region and the Gullfoss waterfall.
As you pass Gullfoss, the route turns into F-road 35.
From this point, the road gets rougher and climbs to Langjökull on your left.
GPS: 64.557938, -19.994015
Langjökull is an ice cave wonderland, with various caverns to select from at all seasons.Ice caves change constantly due to weather and other causes, and can be dangerous if not approached correctly.
It's crucial to hire a local guide if you intend to visit Langjökull in order to guarantee that you're not alone and that you're safe.
Langjökull also features the world's largest man-made ice cave construction.
It enables visitors to explore the area's natural beauty and gain a better understanding of the glacier's processes and beauty in all seasons even when other natural ice caves are unavailable.
Combining that journey with a glacier snowmobile ride is a popular option for making a stylish entrance to the Ice cave.
Langjökull is truly the heart of Iceland, touching on various aspects of Icelandic infrastructure.
Being the primary source of water to several of Iceland's most well-known waterfalls and having an impact on many more.
Waterfalls like Gullfoss, Hraunfossar, and Barnafoss all share Langjökull as their source of water in common as well as Hvítá river.
Even the enormous lake Þingvallavatn gets its water from Langjökull glacier, which includes the Silfra fissure, which was filled with glacial meltwater after filtering through a porous lava field for around 100 to 200 years.
This makes the water crystal clear and explaines the incredible visibility.
Many people are surprised that the glacier feeds the rift because Silfra and Langjökull are more than 50 kilometers away (31 miles).
Askja is situated in the Ódáðahraun lava field's caldera, a massive, desert area that is around 5,000 km2 in size.
When a lava chamber under the Earth's surface filled with molten rock and its ceiling fell during a volcanic eruption, the Askja, a sizable subsidence cauldron, was created.
This region is part of Iceland's national park.
Driving to Askja may be an exciting adventure that you should not take lightly.
Askja may be reached via several different roads, all of which require you to cross rivers.
Because of the terrain and the frequent river crossings, you'll need at least a medium-sized 4x4 to get around.
In some cases, you even need a super jeep 4X4 vehicle with enough clearance and a snorkel.
We'll go through the safest routes below, but remember to always Make sure you check the weather and road conditions before traveling to Askja.
In certain situations, rivers can quadruple in size, making them sometimes impassable.
