15 Unimaginable Locations To Go to In The Iceland Highlands (+ Map & How To Go to)

With the ring highway getting busier yearly, take your sense of journey off the overwhelmed path and into the dramatic pure surroundings of Iceland’s Highlands. Right here’s the place to go and how one can get there.

The highlands of Iceland are the nation at its most distant and delightful and lots of the finest locations to go to in Iceland may be discovered right here..

Majestic volcanos that scar the area do extra than simply trigger journey disruptions. They create a bizarre panorama, not like wherever else on earth. Effervescent mud pots, rivers winding by vibrant mountains, big glaciers and barren landscapes cloaked within the moody thriller of steaming sulphur vents.

Within the vacancy of the highlands, the crowds following a Ring Street itinerary are a distant reminiscence and an actual wilderness journey begins. The vistas are grand, the roads tough, and the services minimal.

Getting there may be thrilling too. Venturing onto the highland mountain roads can contain fording rivers, bumping over boulders, and driving by sand. To drive your self you’ll want a 4×4 SUV and an affinity for bumpy roads or you possibly can be a part of one of many rising variety of excursions that head into this exceptional wilderness.

This information covers an outline of Iceland’s highlands, all one of the best locations to see, self-drive directions and a few extremely advisable excursions.

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WHAT ARE THE ICELAND HIGHLANDS?

The Iceland Highlands are huge zones of uninhabited volcanic desert which has fashioned above the mid-Atlantic rift (a niche between two tectonic plates). Destroyed by volcanic exercise then re-formed by the forces of nature; the Iceland Highlands are a regularly altering surroundings.

Though it’s potential to spend hours driving off the overwhelmed path by nothing however barren black and gray rocks, discover the suitable spot and the pure fantastic thing about this a part of Iceland is mesmerising.

WHERE ARE THE HIGHLANDS?

The Iceland Highlands are an enormous landmass, stretching throughout the centre of the nation and masking over 40,000 sq. kilometres (25,000 sq. miles).

The favored Ring Street (Route 1) circles the sting of Iceland, not as a result of there’s nothing to see within the center, however as a result of the highlands are inaccessible for many of the 12 months.

HOW TO GET TO THE HIGHLANDS?

Accessing the highlands requires travelling on the F-roads (or mountain roads). These are gravel tracks that aren’t repeatedly maintained and are solely open through the summer time months. They typically contain driving throughout rivers and as such, solely 4×4 autos are permitted on the F-Roads.

In case you are excited about hiring a 4×4 learn our full information about driving on the F-Roads.

Alternatively, if you wish to skip the self-drive tour, there are many organised excursions and a highland bus that visits many of the locations in our information.

Particulars on how one can incorporate the highlands into your journey are lined in our Iceland itineraries information in addition to on our ideas for planning a visit to Iceland information.

MAP – ICELAND HIGHLANDS

We’ve marked all the highest highland locations on the beneath map. Travelling to the highlands usually includes heading in for the day then again out a achieve. So to go to these locations, you ideally need to be based mostly near the Ring Street close to the F-Street junction for the vacation spot you might be visiting.

IS VISITING THE ICELAND HIGHLANDS WORTH IT?

Sure, there are three nice causes to go to the Highlands of Iceland.

Firstly, it has a few of the most interesting pure surroundings in Iceland. Anticipate to see lovely rainbow-coloured mountains, canyons minimize deep into barren landscapes, waterfalls cascading over multi-layered gorges, steam rising from cracks within the earth’s floor, pure scorching swimming pools, and effervescent mud pots. There are volcanos and glaciers, sandy deserts, and mazy lakes.

Secondly, most vacationers keep within the southwest of Iceland or circle the Ring Street making these locations busy. Head into the highlands and also you’ll shortly get away from the crowds and revel in wonderful pure surroundings, typically having all of it to your self.

Lastly, getting there may be all a part of the journey. Whereas there are an rising variety of Iceland Highland day excursions, heading out beneath your individual steam is a completely rewarding expertise.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE ICELAND HIGHLANDS

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1 – KERLINGARFJÖLL

Kerlingarfjöll is a small however beautiful mountain vary proper within the centre of Iceland. Its snow-capped summits are wedged between two mighty glaciers. However the true spotlight is hidden in one in every of its valleys.

Lurking beneath the snowy peaks is the geothermal space of Hveradalir. Gurgling rivers wind round pink & brown rhyolite mountains; effervescent mud pots erupt into the air; steaming vents shroud the valley in thriller. It’s a volcanic wonderland of breath-taking pure surroundings, simply explored on the mountain climbing trails that criss-cross the realm.

Kerlingarfjöll is accessed on the 35 and F347 from both north or south. They’re two of the simplest mountain roads to navigate. Principally gravel tracks, they’re rocky in a few locations however there are not any river crossings. All the knowledge, together with the small print for catching the bus are on our Kerlingarfjöll Information.

2 – HVERAVELLIR

The geothermal space of Hveravellir (scorching springs fields) is 1 hour north of Kerlingarfjöll. A sequence of paths by steaming lava fields and effervescent mud pots ship you to some of the distant pure springs in Iceland.

A dam has been constructed within the move of the stream making a small pool that fluctuates between 20 and 40°C (68-140°F). It’s a beautiful, pure thermal pool. Discover the suitable temperature spot, then soak whereas staring out on the magnificent vistas in some of the scenic scorching springs in Iceland.

There are not any altering services, however there’s a wood bench and a few hooks to retailer your gear. Alternatively, there are bogs a few hundred meters away.

3 – ASKJA

Askja is a sequence of interlinking calderas and craters deep in Iceland’s highlands. The biggest is the nation’s most interesting instance of a subsidence caldera. Over 30 sq. miles in measurement it was fashioned when an enormous magma chamber collapsed throughout an eruption. At this time a lake of sensible sapphire blue water varieties in its base.

Tucked into one fringe of this large caldera is the smaller Viti Crater. Created by a newer explosion, the burnt orange and yellow crater is full of a milky white geothermal pool at a pleasing 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F).

Attending to Askja includes travelling on one of many more difficult roads in Iceland. It’s over a 3-hour drive by probably the most desolate and barren surroundings within the highlands. The journey includes crossing two vital rivers, driving over lava fields and crossing a big sandy patch.

All the small print are in our information to Askja.

4 – LANDMANNALAUGAR

Landmannalaugar is located inside an enormous caldera within the Fjallabak Nationwide Reserve on the southwest fringe of Iceland’s highlands. It’s the most various of the highland landscapes with vibrant rhyolite mountains, glacial rivers, lava fields and a geothermal pool surrounded by lovely wildflowers.

It’s among the best areas for mountain climbing in Iceland with a number of completely different trails together with a fast 1-hour stroll to vibrant Brennisteinsalda or a strenuous half-day hike to unbelievable views on the summit of Bláhnùkur.

Along with some actually exceptional surroundings, Landmannalaugar can also be one of many simpler highland locations to get to and nice for first-timers driving on the F-roads. See some breath-taking sights on the way in which in our information to attending to Landmannalaugar, which additionally consists of the three completely different driving routes plus some nice excursions.

5 –SIGÖLDUGLJÚFUR CANYON

A babbling brook, crossing from Krókslón lake to Hrauneyjalón lake has minimize a small canyon by arduous black rock producing the picture-perfect Sigöldugljúfur Canyon.

A number of waterfalls tumble over the moss-covered, sheer-sided gorge with a turquoise river working alongside its base. It’s a surprising scene straight out of a fairy story.

Sigöldugljúfur Canyon is a 45-minute drive north of Landmannalaugar on the F-208 and you may simply go to on our 7-day Iceland itinerary. There’s a parking lot by the highway from the place it’s a 10-minute stroll as much as the falls or drive the quick monitor to a layby by the canyon edge.

6 – HAIFOSS

Haifoss is – in our opinion – some of the lovely waterfalls in Iceland. The River Fossá drops 120-metres as a slender cascade down a sheer layered rockface. A second waterfall, Granni, drops simply beside it creating a powerful twin waterfall system in an enormous, curved canyon.

It’s not technically inside the highlands however attending to Haifoss includes driving on a highway that requires a 4×4 automobile and, as a result of it’s such a spectacular sight, we’ve included it on this listing.

The Haifoss automobile park is round 20 minutes alongside Route 332, which is off Route 32 close to the beginning of the F26/F208 path to Landmannalaugar.

7 – LJÓTIPOLLUR

Ljótipollur means ‘ugly pond’ and it’s the completely undeserving identify given to a surprising blue lake sitting in a 4-kilometre crater with burnt pink sides. It’s surrounded by barren landscapes with views in the direction of a sequence of rivers heading to the ocean in a single route and the imposing Landmannalaugar mountains within the different.

It’s some of the spectacular sights within the Iceland highlands.

There’s a brand new automobile park at Ljótipollur which is only a 5-minute stroll as much as the crater rim. Stroll for 5 or ten minutes in both route and the views simply get higher and higher. Alternatively, you possibly can see it on a really scenic hike to Ljótipollur from the tenting floor at Landmannalaugar.

Haifoss, Sigöldugljúfur, Ljótipollur, & Landmannalaugar can all be visited on one lengthy however superb day journey. 

8 – THÓRSMÖRK

Thórsmörk (Þórsmörk Nature Reserve in Icelandic and named after the Norse god Thor) is a distant space within the Iceland Highlands the place three valleys converge beneath three imposing glaciers, forming a dramatic wilderness of spectacular surroundings.

Large moss-covered mountains dwarfed by even larger glaciers are divided by a swathe of black gravel carved out by rivers charging alongside the valleys. Set off into these landscapes on a Thórsmörk hike and also you’ll be having fun with among the best wilderness areas Iceland has to supply.

In beneath 1 hour, you possibly can hike as much as breath-taking panoramas, give your self half a day and you may see lots of the highlights of the area.

Thórsmörk is likely one of the most difficult locations to drive to within the highlands and it’s usually not advisable until you have got a big 4×4 and loads of expertise crossing deep rivers. The excellent news is that there’s a complete public transport system and loads of excursions from Reykjavík.

All the small print are in our information to Thórsmörk.

9 – MAELIFELL

Maelifell is a dramatic cone-shaped mountain surrounded by an enormous expanse of black sands in a distant nook of the highlands of Iceland. The 791-metre-high cone of Maelifell was as soon as lined by a glacier, however the mountain was revealed because the ice retreated on the finish of the final Ice Age.

This distinctive mountain is now an absorbing sight because it stands alone among the many black sands at its base with the massive Mýrdalsjökull glacier within the background.

There are 3 completely different routes to Maelifell, which we cowl in additional element in our Maelifell information. The simplest is by way of the F232 from the south. It’s a surprising drive over the black sands of Maelifellsandur and includes a river crossing that requires no less than a mid-sized 4×4.

10 – RAUÐIBOTN

Rauðibotn is a vibrant pink and inexperienced crater which is a part of a sequence of volcanic craters between Mýrdalsjökull glacier to Vatnajökull glacier. The colorful crater stands in distinction to the wastelands that encompass it, and the entire space is made much more spectacular by the rivers and waterfalls that curve by the panorama.

It’s a gorgeous and surreal location within the Iceland highlands that’s finest seen by following the mountain climbing path that contours the rim, crosses gushing waterfall and visits emerald-green lakes.

The spotlight of Rauðibotn, nevertheless, is that it gives an important view of Maelifell.

Attending to Rauðibotn includes travelling on the F210 from Grafarkirkja; a fairly bumpy mountain highway with just a few small to medium river crossings. It’s achievable for anybody in any sized 4×4.

11 – HOLUHRAUN

Holuhraun is a lava discipline in a distant a part of the highlands simply north of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

It’s located between two large volcanic techniques, Askja and Barðarbunga and was final energetic in August 2014 when an eruption in a fissure continued till February 2015. It was the biggest eruption in Iceland in 230 years and considerably expanded the prevailing lava discipline to an space of 85 sq. kilometres.

Holuhraun is 9 miles (15 kilometres) from Askja and may be reached by persevering with on the F910. The highway heads by pretty deep sand in locations and it appears like desolate barren wilderness.

It takes round 45 minutes to drive to Holuhraun from Drekil Campsite in Askja.

12 – ALDEYJARFOSS

Aldeyjarfoss is a dramatic Iceland waterfall proper on the northern fringe of the F26 Sprengisandsleið Street, the longest mountain highway within the Iceland highlands.

The falls are fed by the Skjálfandafljót river which drops 20 metres as a robust cascade to an icy-coloured pool on the base of the falls. The breath-taking component of Aldeyjarfoss nevertheless is the symmetrical basalt columns which kind the sheer-sided partitions curving across the base of the waterfall.  

Driving to Aldeyjarfoss from Route 1 solely includes a couple of minutes on the F-26, the remainder is on regular gravel tracks.

Simply 5 minutes additional south on the F26, Hrafnabjargafoss Waterfall is an amphitheatre of highly effective water curving round a central rock. It’s an important addition to Aldeyjarfoss and also you’ll in all probability discover only a few individuals make the detour.

13 – HAFRAHVAMMAGLJÚFUR

Hafrahvammagljúfur is an 8-kilometre canyon situated in a distant a part of the highlands in East Iceland. It drops 200 metres deep from the barren panorama that surrounds it creating an awe-inspiring scene.    

The gorge begins from the Kárahnjúkavirkjun Dam, one of many largest hydroelectric energy crops in Iceland. One of the best viewing level is from a just lately constructed viewing platform which is a brief stroll from the Hafrahvammagljúfur automobile park.

The automobile park is down a steep rocky monitor that leads east from the F910.

The F910 is the difficult highway that heads to Askja, however this japanese finish is way simpler and nice enjoyable. It seemingly soars throughout the roof of Iceland offering nice views throughout to Vatnajökull glacier.

You may entry this part of highway both from the north (by way of F907) or from the south. Neither contain any river crossings, however the highway is bumpier than a gravel monitor. It’s an important drive to do in case you are staying within the Eastfjords area.

14 – LAUGAVALLALAUG (LAUGAVELLIR)

Laugavallalaug (typically known as Laugavellir)‏ is a scorching spring within the Laugavalladalur Valley and a gorgeous oasis in the course of nowhere. A naturally heated waterfall drops right into a small pool that has been dammed by stones offering an idyllic bathing spot amongst the huge open plains of the Iceland highlands.

The waterfall plunges at a temperature of round 70°C (158°F) however cools to round 40°C (104°F) because it mixes with the chilly water within the pool. The proper temperature to have a calming soak as you benefit from the surroundings.

It was one in every of our favorite experiences in Iceland and – in our opinion – one of the best thermal scorching springs in Iceland as a result of its distant location (we have been there alone) and the utterly pure surroundings.

Laugavallalaug is down a scenic monitor off the west facet of the F910. It’s simply reverse Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon and the 2 collectively make an important time out, particularly in case you embrace Stuðlagil Canyon and/or Hengifoss waterfall.

The monitor is fairly straightforward however the F910 may be fairly bumpy. There’s a medium measurement river crossing simply earlier than the new springs, however there’s a parking lot and a footbridge in case you don’t need to drive throughout it. The pool is 5 minutes’ stroll from the footbridge.

15 – LANGJÖKULL

Langjökull is the second largest ice cap in Iceland, after Vatnajökull, stretching about 50 kilometres lengthy (from the place it will get the identify lengthy glacier) and 20 kilometres vast. In some locations, the ice is as much as 580 metres thick.

The glacier is in a really energetic geothermal space with two volcanic techniques stretching out in reverse instructions beneath the huge expansive of ice. Considered one of them is Hveravellir talked about above. The glacier additionally feeds Gullfoss and the new springs at Geysir.

A person-made tunnel has been carved into the ice the place you possibly can take a tour to be taught extra in regards to the distinctive geology of Langjökull and snowmobile excursions are additionally common on the glacier.

The journey right here is simple and alongside the 551 and 550 Kaldidalur roads. On the finish of the 551 you come head to head with the glacier. From right here specifically designed buses make their approach onto the ice. Don’t try and drive onto the glacier.

THANKS FOR VISITING // WHERE NEXT?

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