Iceland’s highlands are probably the most nation’s best-kept secrets and techniques—a limiteless barren region of otherworldly landscapes that few folks enjoy. This information covers 5 achievable adventures into the highlands.
The Ring Street and common coastal sights are improbable—we’ve been 5 instances.
However to in reality respect the geological spectacle this is Iceland, you wish to have to challenge into the highlands.
The huge inside finds a completely other aspect of Iceland: far flung mountain levels, steaming geothermal fields, dramatic volcanic craters, and unending expanses of black sand punctuated by way of volcanoes.
The highlands are handiest obtainable all over summer season months (normally July to September) when the snow melts sufficient to open the F-roads, however the rewards are strange.
We’ve been to a large number of puts within the highlands and all the time on day journeys from the Ring Street. We expect that is one of the simplest ways to enjoy those fantastic landscapes with out tenting.
You want a 4×4 car to force within the highlands, and it will pay to be ready. We quilt the whole lot you wish to have to understand in our information to visiting the Icelandic Highlands.
However if you’re ready, have a wholesome sense of journey and don’t thoughts bumpy roads, you’re in for a deal with. Listed below are the most efficient day journeys into Iceland’s highlands.
MAP: HIGHLANDS DAY TRIPS
We’ve got marked every day shuttle at the map underneath in a distinct color, at the side of the primary roads and sights at every location.
USING OUR MAPS. Click on at the best proper nook to open within the Google Maps app. Click on at the megastar to save lots of in your Google account.
BEST DAY TRIPS IN THE ICELAND HIGHLANDS
1. LANDMANNALAUGAR
Landmannalaugar is a mountain area within the Fjallabak Nationwide Reserve at the southwest fringe of the highlands. It’s probably the most ideal and maximum obtainable areas within the highlands.
It’s certainly one of our favorite puts within the highlands. The riding is easy and not using a tricky river crossings, and you’ll be able to additionally talk over with 3 different fantastic places on a one-day shuttle.
Get started at Háifoss, probably the most dramatic waterfalls in Iceland. It’s about 20 mins from the junction of Course 32 and Course 332 and really easy to succeed in.
Subsequent, forestall at Sigöldugljúfur Canyon, a fairytale-like canyon with a couple of waterfalls cascading over a moss-covered gorge.
After the canyon, force to Ljótipollur, an improbable lake in a 4-kilometre-wide crater with very good perspectives of the Landmannalaugar mountains.
After all, you’ll arrive at Landmannalaugar. Our information on Attending to Landmannalaugar has the entire main points. We actually have a Whole Information to Visiting Landmannalaugar, with additional info on what you’ll be able to do there.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Ring Street, flip onto Course 30 and observe it till you succeed in Course 32. Flip off onto Course 332 to succeed in Háifoss.
Again on Course 32, proceed to the Þjórsárdalur Valley and sign up for Course 26. Flip onto Course F208 and take the fast detour to Sigöldugljúfur.
Keep on F208 heading south. Close to the junction of F224, there’s a quick detour west to the auto park for Ljótipollur Crater.
Again at the F208, flip proper onto the F224 and observe it for roughly quarter-hour to succeed in Landmannalaugar.
2. THÓRSMÖRK
Thórsmörk is a far flung space the place 3 valleys converge beneath 3 implementing glaciers, forming a dramatic barren region of impressive surroundings.
Large moss-covered mountains, dwarfed by way of even larger glaciers, are divided by way of a swathe of black gravel carved out by way of rivers charging alongside the valleys.
You get an excellent influence of the size of where from the standpoint at Mount Valahnukur, and the Tindfjöll stroll used to be certainly one of our favourites in Iceland.
We wouldn’t counsel riding to Thórsmörk as there’s a very massive river crossing at the path. We took the highland bus, and our bus driving force needed to forestall and assist a carload of holiday makers who have been caught in a river.
All of the details about getting there and what to do is roofed in our Information to Visiting Thórsmörk.
HOW TO GET THERE
As discussed above, we recommend you’re taking the Highland Bus to Thórsmörk or go for a personal excursion.
Reykjavík Tours runs two services and products day-to-day in both path, costing more or less $80 USD in step with individual go back to Hvollsvöllur.
This Tremendous Jeep Excursion isn’t affordable, nevertheless it allows you to succeed in spaces you wouldn’t have the ability to succeed in in a typical automobile.
3. KERLINGARFJÖLL & HVERAVELLIR
Kerlingarfjöll is a small however surprising mountain vary with snow-capped summits wedged between two mighty glaciers. Within the centre, there’s an otherworldly geothermal space.
You’ll in finding gurgling rivers, purple and brown mountains, effervescent dust pots, and steaming vents.
There are a number of nice hikes within the space, which we quilt in our information to Climbing at Kerlingarfjöll.
Hveravellir is a box of sizzling springs about 1 hour north of Kerlingarfjöll, a very good position to calm down after visiting Kerlingarfjöll.
HOW TO GET THERE
Kerlingarfjöll is accessed by way of the F35 Kjölur.
The very best path is from Blönduós within the north, travelling south at the F35 Kjölur, which takes round 2 hours and 45 mins to succeed in Kerlingarfjöll.
On the other hand, it’s good to take the F35 from Gullfoss and trip north. That is a lot nearer, however the street is far rougher. Permit round 1.5 hours.
Flip onto the F347 from the F35 to succeed in Kerlingarfjöll.
Hveravellir is round 60 kilometres north of Kerlingarfjöll at the F35. Flip off onto F735 to succeed in the thermal swimming pools.
4. ASKJA & HOLUHRAUN
Askja is probably the most difficult self-drive highlands itinerary in this checklist. It’s the restrict of what you’ll be able to do in a medium-sized 4×4, and the attractions are not so good as the remainder of the positioning in this checklist.
However the force itself is worthwhile for the journey on my own.
Askja is a sequence of calderas and craters, the most important over 30 sq. miles large, shaped when an enormous magma chamber collapsed all over a volcanic eruption.
A smaller crater, referred to as Víti, is tucked into the threshold of the bigger caldera.
The entire space is attention-grabbing, and we quilt it intimately in our information to Attending to Askja.
The street to Askja continues directly to the Holuhraun Lava Box, which used to be remaining lively in August 2014 when an enormous eruption expanded the prevailing lava box to a space of 85 sq. kilometres.
On the other hand, it’s a sandy observe which could be very deep in puts. It additionally provides fairly just a little of time to an already lengthy day shuttle. We would have liked to offer the choice, however we’d almost definitely counsel you skip it.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the Ring Street within the north, flip onto Street F901 in opposition to Möðrudalur, then onto the F905 south. Flip proper onto the F910, following it west in opposition to Drekagil, then take the F894 south to succeed in the Askja caldera automobile park.
From Askja, take the F910 east for round 50 kilometres to succeed in Holuhraun.
5. MÆLIFELL & RAUÐIBOTN
Mælifell used to be almost definitely our favorite vacation spot in Iceland.
It’s a dramatic cone-shaped mountain surrounded by way of an enormous expanse of black sand with the massive Mýrdalsjökull glacier within the background.
The most efficient bit: it’s really easy to force your self to Mælifell for a thrilling journey in an otherworldly panorama.
Rauðibotn is a surprising red-and-green crater that gives the very best perspectives of Mælifell.
All of the main points you wish to have are in our Information to Visiting Mælifell.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are two techniques to get perspectives of Maelifell.
At first, the F232 is going to the bottom by way of Bláfjallafoss waterfall and the black sands.
The second one path is the F910, which matches to a carpark the place you’ll be able to climb Raudibotn for nice perspectives.
When you have a big 4×4 and enjoy riding it, you’ll be able to sign up for the 2 routes by way of crossing the Holmsa River.
You’ll improve our weblog by way of reserving your shuttle the usage of those sources.
MORE REMOTE ICELAND GUIDES
ANYWHERE WE ROAM IS
READER-SUPPORTED
Whilst you purchase via hyperlinks on our web page, we might earn a small associate fee at no additional price to you.
Thank you to your improve.
Paul & Mark.
