9 Beautiful Places in the Iceland Highlands
Although Iceland has many things to do off the Ring Road, the Iceland highlands have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. The Iceland highlands make up most of the center of Iceland and have everything from multi-colored mountains and waterfalls to canyons and volcanoes. The landscape makes you feel like you are on another planet!
If you want to visit the highlands of Iceland, you are in the right place. This guide has some of the most beautiful areas in the highlands that should be on every bucket list. Although you may not be able to visit all these places in one itinerary, you can see many if you are up for fun adventures. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting the beautiful Iceland highlands!
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What are the Iceland Highlands?
The Iceland highlands, in my opinion, are the most beautiful areas in the country. They make up most of Iceland, sprawling across its center, and have everything from mountain ranges and volcanoes to canyons and waterfalls. The highlands are raw and untouched, making them breathtaking!
Although the highlands take up most of Iceland, they are not easy to get to, but the untouched beauty of the highlands makes them more beautiful! There is something so beautiful about raw nature with stunning landscapes that many people will never visit. If you are up for an adventure, you will not be disappointed visiting the highlands in Iceland!
Where are the Iceland Highlands?
The highlands of Iceland are in the inner section of Iceland. Although the highlands make up much of Iceland, they are not easy to get to because they are not along the Ring Road. Since the highlands are in the center of Iceland, you must drive on long mountain roads (also known as F roads) to reach each of them. Some of the F roads to the highlands are easier to navigate than others, but most have river crossings, bumpy roads, and steep inclines, making them difficult to drive.
How to Get to the Iceland Highlands
As mentioned above, the highlands are difficult to get to. Each requires driving on F roads, unmaintained mountain roads, which can have anything from river crossings to rocky roads. You can only drive on F roads with 4x4 vehicles, and even then, some of them are not easy for those vehicles. Some F roads have intense river crossings where it is easy for even a large 4x4 vehicle to get stuck. In those cases, you can take a mountain bus or tour into the highlands. We will dive deeper into that later!
4x4 Vehicle: If you want to drive into the highlands, you will need a 4x4 vehicle to navigate the F roads. We have seen smaller cars attempt to drive on the F roads, and it never looked good.
Highland Mountain Bus: If you do not want to worry about driving on F roads, you can take a mountain bus! Mountain buses are designed to handle the crazy F roads and intense river crossings.
Highland Tours: If visiting the highlands feels intimidating, you can go on a tour! The tour guides are incredible, and they provide transportation into the highlands and create a fun itinerary. It is a great way to enjoy the highlands without any planning.
Tips for Visiting the Iceland Highlands
Research the F roads before heading into the highlands. The F roads leading into the Iceland highlands are no joke. Although some are easier than others, they still are difficult to navigate. A few highlands have multiple roads leading into them, with some being easier to drive on than others. I recommend researching which way is best to get into each of the highlands you want to visit so you are prepared.
Check the F road conditions. The conditions can change quickly, and I recommend reading the recent conditions before setting out on your adventure.
Give yourself plenty of time to drive into the highlands. Most of the highlands take a while to get to. It has taken us at least a few hours to drive to each highlands we have visited. I recommend starting your drive early to make sure you have plenty of time to explore the area once you arrive.
Book your tours or mountain bus tickets in advance. Since it is difficult to drive into the highlands, many people take a mountain bus or tour. Some of these can sell out quickly, so I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to secure your spot.
Prepare for unpredictable weather. The Iceland highlands are known to have unpredictable weather. The weather can change very quickly, so it is crucial to pack warm layers and rain gear just in case.
Some highlands are not accessible in the winter. The summer is the best time to visit the highlands because the F roads are open. In the winter, many F roads are impassable unless you take a tour or mountain bus.
The Best Places to Visit in the Iceland Highlands
Landmannalaugar (Southern Iceland Highlands)
Landmannaglauar is easily one of my favorite places to visit in the highlands because the landscape is stunning. If you want to hike in multi-colored mountains, look no further!
Landmannalaugar, also known as the People’s Pool, is the land of multi-colored mountains, lava fields, and volcanoes. The landscape is unreal, and you can enjoy some of the most beautiful hiking trails. You can also end your day with a dip in a natural hot spring. A few of the best hikes are:
Laugavegur Circle - 3 miles round trip
Brennisteinsalda Volcano - 5.4 miles round trip
Mt Bláhnjúkur - 3.8 miles round trip
You can enjoy a fun day trip into Landmannalaugar or stay at the campground at the base of the mountains. The campground also has bathrooms and a small store where you can purchase food. We ordered sandwiches after our hike, and they were delicious!
How to get there:
Although there are multiple ways to get to Landmannalaugar, I recommend driving from the north because it is the easiest and does not have river crossings. You can take F26 to F208 and head right into Landmannalaugar. F26 is paved, making it easy to navigate, but F208 is mostly unpaved. The road is well-maintained compared to when we visited our first time, but it is still very rocky, and you should use caution when driving it.
Just before the camping area in Landmannalaugar, there are two major river crossings. We saw a few people getting towed because their cars could not handle the river crossings. I recommend parking in the lot before the two river crossings and walking over to the trails. The river crossings are deep, so I would avoid driving across them.
Eldgjá (Southern Iceland Highlands)
Eldgjá is the largest volcanic canyon in the world at about 29 miles long, and it is a stunning area in the southern highlands of Iceland! It runs from Landmannalaugar to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and has waterfalls and beautiful views. Eldgjá is one of the least visited highlands in Iceland, but it does not disappoint with its stunning landscapes.
Although the canyon is long, Eldgjá does not have too many things to do and places to explore. The best way to explore the canyon is to hike, and you have a few hikes to choose from, including hiking to a waterfall and the tallest mountain in the area!
Ófærufoss Waterfall - 3.5 miles round trip
Small Circle Hike - 3.5 miles round trip
Gjátindur Hike (tallest mountain near Eldgjá) - 10 miles round trip
Even if you do not want to hike, you will love to drive into Eldgjá. F208 is one of the most beautiful roads in Iceland, and it makes you feel like you are on another planet. It is stunning!
How to get there:
You can approach Eldgjá from the north or south on F roads, and both routes have river crossings. As with all F roads in Iceland, you need a 4x4 vehicle to drive to Eldgjá, and you must have a medium to large size one that can handle river crossings.
From the north, you can take F26 to F208 past Landmannalaugar. F26 is paved, making it easy to navigate, but F208 is mostly unpaved. Past Landmannalaugar, F208 passes a few rivers varying from small to medium-sized. This route will take you the longest, but if you stay at Landmannalaugar overnight, it is not a long drive to Eldgjá.
From the south, you can take F208 from the Ring Road to Eldgjá, and this route has at least one medium-sized river crossing. It is the quickest way to get to the highlands, but I still recommend giving yourself plenty of time to make the drive.
Thórsmörk (Southern Iceland Highlands)
Thorsmork is a beautiful valley and mountain range between three glaciers - Tindfjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and Eyjafjallajokull. Picture huge green valleys with rivers and stunning mountains. And yes, it is as beautiful as it sounds!
One of the best things to do in Thorsmork is to hike! Although you can enjoy the views from the floor, the best are from higher viewpoints, where you can see into the valley. The views will quickly take your breath away because they are stunning! A few of the best hikes are:
Valahnukur - 1.5 miles round trip
Langidalur - Valahukur Loop - 2.7 miles round trip
Thorsmork Loop - 6.2 miles round trip
Básar - Móði Loop - 9.5 miles round trip
You can enjoy a day trip to Thorsmork or stay at the campground to extend your trip. Thorsmork has campsites, glamping tents, cabin rooms, and cottages you can rent. These accommodations sell out quickly since they are limited, and I recommend booking them in advance. They even have an onsite restaurant, allowing you to enjoy warm meals throughout your trip!
How to get there:
The F road to Thorsmork is incredibly bumpy and difficult to drive with deep river crossings, which are impassable to most vehicles. Each year, people attempt to drive through the rivers and get stuck. I highly recommend booking a ticket on a mountain bus that can easily take you into and out of Thorsmork. The mountain buses are designed to handle the F roads and their river crossings. You can also take a Super Jeep Tour into Thorsmork with a guide!
Háifoss and Gjáin (Southern Iceland Highlands)
Haifoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, standing at 400 feet, and one of the most beautiful, in my opinion. Haifoss is my favorite waterfall in Iceland because it is just so breathtaking. It is epic in a way that other waterfalls in Iceland are not, and it helps that the surrounding canyon in the highlands is stunning!
You can enjoy the stunning waterfall from the overlooks above it or hike the 2.7-mile round trip trail to the bottom. If you are up for an adventure, I would not miss hiking to the bottom because the views are unmatched!
Just south of Haifoss is Gjain in the Þjórsárdalur valley. It looks like it is where fairies should live. Although the valley is small, it is magical and beautiful, with waterfalls, volcanic rock, and bright blue pools. When you walk into Gjain, it will feel as if you are in a magical fairyland. You can enjoy the views above the valley or hike into it to explore its waterfalls.
Both Haifoss and Gjain are just north of Landmannalaugar in the southern Iceland highlands and will quickly become a few of your favorite places. And I promise the drive into the highlands is worth it!
How to get there:
The easiest way to Haifoss is to drive from 32 to 332. Road 332 is an unpaved, rocky road, but it is not overly difficult to navigate. It is in much better condition now than we visited years ago, but it is still unpaved.
After visiting Haifoss, you can drive 327 for just over two miles to Gjain. The road is unpaved but relatively easy to drive on compared to most F roads. After visiting Gjain, you can drive from 327 to 32 to leave the highlands.
Vatnajökull (Southern Iceland Highlands)
Vatnajökull is one of the easiest places to get to near the highlands in Iceland because it is right off the Ring Road along the southern coast. It is one of the largest ice-caps in Europe and one of the best places to explore a glacier in Iceland. You can enjoy a variety of tours, including glacier walks, exploring ice caves, and snowmobiling on the glacier.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is at the base of Vatnajökull filled with icebergs. And yes, it is just as stunning as it sounds. Across the street is Diamond Beach, which has large ice blocks that look like diamonds in the sun. I highly recommend visiting the area during sunrise or sunset because the golden light is stunning as it shines on the ice blocks. You can also go on a kayak tour in the glacier lagoon!
How to get there:
Luckily, Vatnajökull is off the Ring Road along the southern coast. Although you cannot explore the glacier on your own because it is dangerous, you can choose from a variety of tours. Or, if you only want to experience it from the road, plenty of viewpoints near the glacier provide stunning views of Vatnajökull.
Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area (Central Iceland Highlands)
Kerlingarfjöll is a breathtaking and remote mountain range in the central highlands of Iceland. It is one of the lesser-known highland areas but does not lack beautiful views! Since it requires a long drive on various F roads, many people skip visiting the area, but I promise, it is worth a visit!
Kerlingarfjöll has beautiful multi-colored mountains, a small hot spring, and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. The Hveradalir Geothermal Area was my favorite place because the views were unmatched. You can explore both areas from various overlooks or hike on its many trails. Here are some of the best things to do in the highlands:
Kerlingarfjöll to Hveradalir Geothermal Area Hike - 7.8 miles round trip
Hike in the Hveradalir Geothermal Area - short trails to various overlooks
Soak in the Kerlingarfjöll Hot Springs
You can enjoy a day trip to the highlands or stay overnight at the Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll. The resort has hotel rooms, huts, campsites, and an onsite restaurant. It is the perfect place to stay if you want to spend a night or two in Kerlingarfjöll.
How to get there:
There are two ways to get to Kerlingarfjöll- from the west or north. Driving from the west is the easiest way to get to Kerlingarfjöll because the F road is mild compared to others in Iceland.
From the west, the route follows F35 for 60 km (37 miles) past Gullfoss before turning right onto F347. F35 was one of the mildest F roads we have driven on in Iceland, and it does not have river crossings. Although F347 is a milder F road, it gets a bit rockier as you approach Kerlingarfjöll.
From the north, the route follows F35 from the Ring Road for 111 km (69 miles) before turning left onto F347. This section of the F35 is longer and rougher than approaching Kerlingarfjöll from the west and takes a bit more time.
Hveravellir Nature Reserve (Central Iceland Highlands)
Hveravellir Nature Reserve is another stunning highland area in Iceland just east of Kerlingarfjöll, and it is one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe. Hveravellir is between two glaciers, Langjökull and Hofsjökull, and has a geothermal area. Picture something similar to Yellowstone National Park but in an Icelandic landscape. It is beautiful!
Although Hveravellir Nature Reserve is large, you cannot access much of the area. But you can enjoy a few short hiking trails to explore the geothermal area near the Hveravellir Lodge. The Green Trail is the easiest way to explore the geothermal area, but if you want a longer day hike, you can hike the Red Trail or Orange Trail. Both offer stunning views of Hveravellir!
Green Trail - 1.8 miles round trip
Red Trail - 7.5 miles round trip
Orange Trail - 13 miles round trip
Although a day trip is plenty of time to explore Hveravellir Nature Reserve, you can extend your stay by staying at the lodge. It has rooms and campsites near the hiking trails and geothermal area.
How to get there:
Similarly to Kerlingarfjöll, you can approach Hveravellir Nature Reserve from the north or west.
From the west, the route follows F35 for 90 km (56 miles) past Gullfoss before turning left towards the lodge.
From the north, the route follows F35 from the Ring Road for 86 km (54 miles) before turning right towards the lodge. This section of F35 is rougher than approaching Hveravellir from the west.
Langjökull (Western Iceland Highlands)
Langjökull is the second largest glacier in Iceland, and it is known as the Long Glacier because it is about 21 miles long. Langjökull sits in the western highlands just west of Kerlingarfjöll and about two hours from Reykjavik, making it a popular area for glacier tours.
Although you cannot explore the glacier by yourself because it is dangerous, you can choose from a variety of tours! Two of the best tours are snowmobile tours or a hike through ice caves. You can even walk through a stunning glacier ice tunnel!
Since Langjökull is the closest glacier to the city, it is a great place to explore a beautiful glacier in Iceland without a long drive. Some tours will even pick you up from the city!
How to get there:
If you are taking a tour, the meeting point is likely in the small town of Húsafell, about a two-hour drive from Reykjavik. The drive is easy, following the Ring Road north and taking 518 into Húsafell. Some tour companies will also pick you up from Reykjavik if you do not want to drive out of the city.
Askja (Central Iceland Highlands)
Last but certainly not least is the beautiful Askja area in the central Iceland highlands. Askja is an active volcano and has some of the bluest waters. Although Askja is one of the least visited areas on this list, it does not lack beautiful views and will quickly become one of your favorite places in the highlands!
The highlight of Askja is Lake Askja, which has bright blue waters. The 4.1-mile round trip trail to Lake Askja is stunning and offers beautiful views along the entire hike of the surrounding mountains. The hike also passes the small Lake Víti right before Lake Askja.
Since Lake Askja is one of the only things to do in Askja, I recommend exploring the nearby areas. You can soak in the Laugarvellir Hot Natural Pot, explore Stuðlagil Canyon and Stuðlafoss Waterfall, or hike to Hengifoss. The eastern part of Iceland is stunning, and you will not be disappointed exploring the area.
How to get there:
Askja is pretty difficult to get to, and each route has at least two river crossings. The river crossings can vary in depth depending on the time of year.
You can take F901 off the Ring Road before turning onto F905. F905 eventually turns into F910, which you will follow until turning onto F894. This route has two medium-sized river crossings.
You can take F88 off the Ring Road before turning onto F910 and F894. This route has a small river and a medium/large river crossing. The larger river crossing can vary depending on the time of year and can be dangerous if the water levels are high.
If you want to visit the Iceland highlands, this guide is a great place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about some of the best places in the highlands of Iceland.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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