Iceland Highlands Itinerary for a Unique Road Trip

If you want to see this part of Iceland, preparation matters. This guide covers the best destinations, the right seasons, and a suggested Iceland highlands itinerary. Plan ahead, and you have one of Iceland’s most rewarding adventures within reach.

Why Visit the Icelandic Highlands?

The Icelandic highlands are not an easy destination to reach. Roads are unpaved, most routes are closed for seven to eight months each year, and river crossings can be genuinely hazardous. But that difficulty keeps the highlands off the beaten path for most visitors. What you find in return is raw, unfiltered terrain that feels nothing like coastal Iceland.

The highlands sit above 400 m (1,300 ft) and look nothing like the Iceland most tourists see. You will find black lava fields, steaming geothermal vents, mountains streaked with red, orange, and green, and crater lakes with unusually vivid colors. No other region in Iceland brings this many distinct landscapes together. The Fjallabak Nature Reserve, one of Iceland's most protected areas, sits entirely within this region.

Most highland F-roads open in late June and close by early October, depending on snowfall. The accessible window is short, but each part of it offers a different experience. Knowing when to go will shape your trip from trail conditions and crowd levels to tour availability.

June, July, and August give you the best access when visiting the highlands, as daylight is longest and tour availability is at its peak. Daytime temperatures at Landmannalaugar average around 50°F (10°C) in July, with wind making it feel cooler. Daylight stretches to nearly 24 hours in June, giving hikers more time on the trail.

With F-roads open during these months, day tours run regularly from Reykjavik, and hot springs like those at Landmannalaugar are fully accessible. Summer is also the busiest season for guided hiking, and understanding Iceland's summer temperature can help you pack and plan more accurately. Book early if you are traveling in July or August.

If you want to see the highlands without the summer crowds, September is your month. F-roads are still open, temperatures drop to around 32°F (0°C) at night, and autumn colors cover the valleys in shades of yellow and brown. Snow can arrive fast in the interior, so conditions change quickly. 

September is also when the Réttir takes place, an Icelandic tradition where locals round up sheep and horses from the highlands. Hot springs are quieter this time of year, and some F-roads close earlier than expected after a cold spell. Always confirm road conditions and tour availability before booking. 

Most highland routes become inaccessible to regular travel from October through mid-June, as snow covers the F-roads and river crossings become impassable. The season still has a lot to offer, though, since October through February is the best window for Northern Lights sightings across Iceland.

With longer and darker nights, your chances of seeing the aurora are significantly higher than in summer. Focus on Ring Road destinations and coastal attractions during this period, then plan your highland visit for the following summer.

The central highlands deserve more than a single-day trip. This 8-day Iceland highlands itinerary takes you deep into the interior by bus and on foot, giving you time to adjust to trail conditions and explore at a pace that makes the trip worthwhile.

Your first day is based in central Reykjavik, with time to explore before the hiking begins. Walk up to Hallgrímskirkja church for rooftop views over the city, browse shops along Laugavegur street for the best Iceland souvenirs, or try Icelandic food at one of the downtown cafes. Travelers arriving early can add an optional visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon before the trail starts the next morning.

The journey from Reykjavik gives you your first look at Iceland's interior, passing Hekla volcano and the Dómadalur valley on the way to Landmannalaugar. Once there, you can walk between mountains streaked in red, green, and yellow, touch black obsidian rock formed by ancient lava flows, and soak in a natural hot spring before the afternoon hike begins.

The trail then climbs steadily through steaming geothermal vents and obsidian ridges before you reach Hrafntinnusker mountain hut for the night. Wear layered clothing, as temperatures drop quickly at higher elevations even in summer.

The route descends through Jökultungur, where steaming hot springs and bubbling mud pools line both sides of the trail. Álftavatn lake comes into view partway through, with the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers stretching across the horizon. The ground gradually shifts from bare volcanic rock to patches of green as you near Hvanngil hut, a sheltered valley at the base of Stórasúla volcano.

Walking across Mælifellssandur feels like crossing a different planet, with black volcanic ash and sand stretching flat in every direction and mountain ridges rising on all sides. The trail passes Hattfell volcano before entering the Emstrur region, where Icelandic farmers once brought sheep for summer grazing each year.

Near Botnar hut, you can stand at the edge of Markarfljót canyon and look straight down into a gorge carved nearly 200 m (656 ft) into the volcanic rock. The day covers 12 km (7.5 miles).

The trail drops steadily from the open highlands toward the Þórsmörk valley, and the landscape changes noticeably with every kilometer. Arctic birch trees and wildflowers appear along the path as the terrain turns greener, a sharp contrast to the black desert crossed the day before.

After crossing the glacial Krossá river, you pass through the Goðaland area, where three glaciers and steep peaks surround the valley on all sides. Þórsmörk feels like a completely different world from the bare terrain covered earlier in the week. The day covers 18 km (11 miles) with a 300 m (985 ft) descent to the Básar mountain hut.

This is the longest and steepest day, climbing 1,000 m (3,280 ft) along the Kattarhryggir ridges to the Fimmvörðuháls Pass. You walk across lava fields formed during the 2010 eruption and stop at the Magni and Móði craters, two volcanic cones named after the sons of Thor.

From the pass, both Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers are visible at the same time, with fresh craters at your feet and ice on both sides. Expect a full day of challenging hiking across volcanic ridges and glacier viewpoints.

The final morning in the highlands is unhurried, with several short trail options to choose from. You can climb Valahnúkur mountain for open views across the valley and glaciers, or walk the narrow Stakkholtsgjá canyon to a hidden waterfall at its far end. For something different, visit Sönghellir cave to hear the sound echo off the rock walls inside.

The afternoon bus returns to Reykjavik. You spend the last night in the city before departure.

A shared transfer takes you from your hotel to Keflavík International Airport. Travelers with later flights can upgrade their transfer to include a stop at the Blue Lagoon for a final soak before the journey home. 

The weather and climate in Iceland's interior can change quickly, and being underprepared can make any hike uncomfortable. Here is what to bring:

If you are planning a summer visit, packing for Iceland's warmer months takes a few extra considerations. The Iceland summer packing list covers everything you need for the season in detail.

The Icelandic highlands require a bit more preparation than the ring road. A few practical points will make your trip go more smoothly, whether you are going for one day or five.

Families with children aged 10 and older can comfortably join guided day tours to Landmannalaugar or Kerlingarfjöll. These routes are well-managed and do not require extreme fitness. Multi-day treks are better suited to teens aged 14 and above with solid hiking experience. Always talk to your tour operator before booking to confirm which tours match your group's age range and fitness level.

The highlands are a protected and fragile environment. Lava formations, geothermal soils, and highland vegetation take decades to recover from physical damage. Traveling responsibly is part of keeping these destinations accessible for future visitors.

The Icelandic highlands reward every traveler who puts in the effort to reach them. Each stop feels genuinely distinct, from the colorful ridges above Landmannalaugar to the steaming valleys of Kerlingarfjöll. Planning your Iceland highlands itinerary around a guided tour is the most reliable way to experience it all safely and comfortably.

The highlands are open for only a few months each year, so book early. Iceland Tours runs guided highland departures throughout the summer, with local guides handling the logistics from start to finish.