Iceland Highlands Travel Guide: Top Tips and Attractions

In this guide, you’ll discover the top sights, iconic hikes, seasonal tips, and practical advice for planning your Highlands adventure.

Want the best experience? Check out the summer tours in Iceland!

The Icelandic Highlands cover nearly 40% of the country’s interior, sitting 400-500 m (1312-1640 ft) above sea level and framed by glaciers on almost every side. There’s Vatnajökull to the east, Langjökull to the west, Hofsjökull in the center, and Mýrdalsjökull to the south. Unlike the coastal regions, there are no towns, paved roads, or year-round access here—just vast wilderness.

Getting in takes effort, with rough F-roads, river crossings, and unpredictable weather, but that challenge is part of the adventure. Once you’re here, the reward is solitude and landscapes that feel otherworldly: lava fields, colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal valleys, and scenic waterfalls. For travelers seeking Iceland at its rawest and most unforgettable, the Highlands are the place to go.

The Iceland Highlands are filled with landscapes that feel both otherworldly and untouched. Below are the top natural attractions that showcase the true spirit of the Highlands.

The jewel of the Highlands, Landmannalaugar, is famous for its colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming hot springs, and lava fields. It’s also the starting point of the famous Laugavegur Trail. To reach the campsite, you’ll need to cross a short river or park your car behind and walk along the trail.

In the southern Highlands, Þórsmörk is a sheltered valley between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull. Its birch forests, braided rivers, and mountain ridges make it a favorite for hikers. Þórsmörk marks the end of the Laugavegur Trail and the start of Fimmvörðuháls Pass.

Langjökull is the second-largest glacier in the country, stretching across the western Highlands. It’s one of the most accessible for adventure activities, offering snowmobile tours, guided hikes, and even a man-made ice tunnel known as “Into the Glacier.” From its slopes, you’ll see ice valleys and the flat-topped Eiríksjökull mountain.

Deep in the central Highlands within Vatnajökull National Park, Askja is a vast volcanic caldera surrounded by black lava deserts. At its center lies Öskjuvatn, one of Iceland’s deepest lakes, and right beside it the Víti crater, filled with striking milky-blue geothermal water from the 1875 eruption.

Between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers lies Hveravellir, a geothermal oasis known as “hot spring fields.” The area is filled with steaming fumaroles, bubbling hot pools, and vividly colored mineral springs in blue, red, and green. Visitors can soak in a naturally heated pool while admiring the wilderness, though the more active springs are best viewed from a safe distance.

Just south of Hveravellir, Kerlingarfjöll is a rhyolite mountain range famous for its steaming geothermal valleys. The most dramatic area is Hveradalir, where trails wind past bubbling mud pools, fumaroles, and vividly colored slopes of red, orange, and yellow.

At 122 m (400 ft), Háifoss is one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, plunging into a dramatic canyon alongside the smaller Granni waterfall. Just outside the central Highlands, it’s often considered a gateway stop before heading inland. From the parking lot, it’s a five-minute walk to the viewpoint, or a one-hour hike down into the canyon for a closer look.

Aldeyjarfoss is a powerful 20-m (66 ft) waterfall that plunges into a circular basin framed by hexagonal basalt columns. Located at the northern edge of the Sprengisandur route, it combines raw Highland scenery with striking geology.

Created during the catastrophic eruption of 1783-1784, the Lakagígar crater row stretches for 25 km (15.5 mi) across the southern Highlands. Today, moss-covered craters and lava fields form a surreal hiking landscape, with sweeping views from Mount Laki.

The Highlands are a hiker’s paradise, offering everything from short scenic walks to legendary multi-day treks. Below are the most popular routes, organized by scale.

For more, check out the best day hikes in Iceland!

Getting into the Highlands is unlike driving anywhere else in Iceland. The interior is crossed only by F-roads. These are rough gravel tracks, often with unbridged rivers, that are open for only a few summer months (late June to early September).

To drive on F-roads, you must have a 4x4 vehicle; standard cars and campervans are not permitted. Even with the right vehicle, expect to encounter steep, rocky stretches and unpredictable river crossings that can be hazardous after rain or snowmelt. Rental companies specify which vehicles are Highland-approved and may offer special insurance.

Iceland Highlands Main Access Routes

Pro-tip: Consider self-drive tours for a well-curated trip in Iceland. And check out our guide on getting around Iceland.

The Highlands are unlike the rest of Iceland when it comes to travel seasons. Because of their high elevation and extreme weather, this vast interior is only accessible for a short part of the year. Knowing when to go and what conditions to expect is crucial for planning your trip.

If driving F-roads and fording rivers feels daunting, a guided tour is a safe way to see Iceland’s landscapes while still getting a taste of the Highlands. One option is the 7-Day Summer Ring Road Small Group Tour. This itinerary circles Iceland’s Ring Road with an expert guide, covering waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic areas, and geothermal sites. While it focuses on the Ring Road, you’ll also stop at Highland-adjacent areas, giving you a glimpse of the interior without long F-road drives.

For those who want to explore without the challenges of self-driving, group tours are a practical way to experience Iceland. It’s also a good first step before planning a more in-depth adventure in the Icelandic Highlands.

Traveling in the Highlands is unforgettable, but it requires careful preparation. Here are key tips to keep safe and comfortable:

Packing Essentials

Food, Fuel, and Supplies

Safety and Navigation

Accommodation and Facilities

Exploring the Highlands means stepping into Iceland at its most untamed. It surprises you with steaming valleys, lava fields, glacier rivers, and towering waterfalls. It takes preparation, a 4x4, and a willingness to adapt, but the rewards are landscapes and experiences unlike anywhere else in the country.

Whether you trek the Laugavegur Trail, soak in a hidden hot spring, or stand at the edge of a volcanic canyon, the Iceland Highlands will leave you with a sense of the country’s wild heart that lasts long after you’ve left.

Now that you’ve learned about the Iceland Highlands, why not check out one of our camping tours in Iceland? Or connect with our travel experts to plan a trip just for you.