-2°C
Iceland · Hálendið
Hálendið
Landmannalaugar, obsidian lava fields and highland routes
Iceland · Hálendið
Landmannalaugar, obsidian lava fields and highland routes
From Reykjavík
3–5 h (F-roads)
Gateway towns
Hella, Hvolsvöllur
Best time
Jul–early Sep
Nearest airport
Keflavík (KEF)
Road conditions
F-roads, 4x4 only
Top activity
Super Jeep & hiking
Overview
The Icelandic Highlands form the vast interior of the country: a road-sparse landscape of lava deserts, geothermal valleys, rhyolite mountains, glaciers, black sand and braided rivers. Unlike the coastal regions, the Highlands are not a conventional year-round road-trip destination. Access is seasonal, many routes are F-roads and weather or river levels can change what is possible from one day to the next.
Landmannalaugar and Fjallabak are the best-known southern destinations, with colourful mountains, lava and geothermal bathing. Kjölur crosses the interior between glaciers and reaches Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll, while Askja and the Ódáðahraun area offer a much more remote volcanic landscape in the northeast. Each of these areas deserves its own plan rather than being treated as interchangeable highland scenery.
The Highlands reward conservative decision-making. A route that looks simple on a map can involve rough surfaces, river crossings, long gaps without services and sudden weather changes. Guided buses and super-jeep tours are often the best choice for visitors who want the landscape without managing the driving risk themselves.
Why Visit
Volcanic deserts, lava, geothermal valleys and glaciers dominate a landscape with almost no permanent settlement.
Rhyolite mountains and geothermal landscapes create some of the country’s most distinctive hiking scenery.
Kerlingarfjöll, Hveravellir and other interior sites reveal Iceland’s geothermal power far from towns.
Day hikes and multi-day trekking routes cross some of Iceland’s most varied and remote terrain.
Reaching places such as Askja requires planning, patience and respect for the limits of roads, rivers and weather.
Verður að sjá
Helstu kennileiti Íslands á Hálendið
attractionHveravellir er fjarlæg jarðhitasvæði á miðhálendi Íslands, staðsett meðfram Kjölfjarðarleið (F35). Heitar uppsprettur, h
Skoða kennileiti
attractionHveradalir, sem þýðir 'Dalur hveranna', er yfirnáttúrulegt jarðhitasvæði í Kerlingarfjöllum á Íslandi. Hér rísa gufustró
Skoða kennileiti
attractionUppgötvaðu friðsæla Kerlingarfjöll Jarðhitabað, náttúrulega jarðhitlaug staðsett í stórbrotnum hálöndum Íslands. Sökkva
Skoða kennileiti
attractionVið Kárahnjúka eru dýpstu gljúfur á Íslandi, Dimmugljúfur og Hafrahvammagljúfur, sem eru afar fjölbreytt að lögun og ber
Skoða kennileiti
attractionKárahnjúkastífla er meginstífla Kárahnjúkavirkjunar á hálendi Austurlands. Hún er grjótstífla með steinsteyptri klæðning
Skoða kennileiti
attractionHeiðarbýlin í göngufæri is a cultural hiking and heritage project across Jökuldalsheiði and neighbouring heaths in East
Skoða kennileiti
attractionTorfajökulssvæðið er víðfeðmt háhitasvæði á afskekktu miðhálendi Íslands, einkennist af litríkum líparítfjöllum, gufandi
Skoða kennileiti
attractionKjalhraun is a shield volcano and broad lava field in the central Highlands near the Hveravellir–Kjölur area. Its low, w
Skoða kennileiti
attractionFerðastu til Vonarskarðs, afskekktrar og hrjóstrugri fjallaleiðar í hjarta hálendis Íslands. Þetta stórbrotna landslag,
Skoða kennileiti
attractionDrekafoss, einnig þekkt sem "Skinandi" eða "Drekafossinn", er falin í hinu hrjúfa landslagi Norðurlands og býður upp á f
Skoða kennileiti
attractionDrekagil, sem þýðir "Drekagil" eða "Drekaskarð", er stórbrotin og hrikaleg hamragil á norðanverðu hálendi Íslands. Dökka
Skoða kennileiti
attractionEyjabakkar er einstakt gróðurvin á hálendinu, staðsett skammt frá Snæfelli, þekkt fyrir flókið net fléttaðra jökuláa og
Skoða kennileitiattractionHveravellir er fjarlæg jarðhitasvæði á miðhálendi Íslands, staðsett meðfram Kjölfjarðarleið (F35). Heitar uppsprettur, h
Skoða kennileitiattractionHveradalir, sem þýðir 'Dalur hveranna', er yfirnáttúrulegt jarðhitasvæði í Kerlingarfjöllum á Íslandi. Hér rísa gufustró
Skoða kennileitiattractionUppgötvaðu friðsæla Kerlingarfjöll Jarðhitabað, náttúrulega jarðhitlaug staðsett í stórbrotnum hálöndum Íslands. Sökkva
Skoða kennileitiattractionVið Kárahnjúka eru dýpstu gljúfur á Íslandi, Dimmugljúfur og Hafrahvammagljúfur, sem eru afar fjölbreytt að lögun og ber
Skoða kennileitiattractionKárahnjúkastífla er meginstífla Kárahnjúkavirkjunar á hálendi Austurlands. Hún er grjótstífla með steinsteyptri klæðning
Skoða kennileitiattractionHeiðarbýlin í göngufæri is a cultural hiking and heritage project across Jökuldalsheiði and neighbouring heaths in East
Skoða kennileitiattractionTorfajökulssvæðið er víðfeðmt háhitasvæði á afskekktu miðhálendi Íslands, einkennist af litríkum líparítfjöllum, gufandi
Skoða kennileitiattractionKjalhraun is a shield volcano and broad lava field in the central Highlands near the Hveravellir–Kjölur area. Its low, w
Skoða kennileitiattractionFerðastu til Vonarskarðs, afskekktrar og hrjóstrugri fjallaleiðar í hjarta hálendis Íslands. Þetta stórbrotna landslag,
Skoða kennileitiattractionDrekafoss, einnig þekkt sem "Skinandi" eða "Drekafossinn", er falin í hinu hrjúfa landslagi Norðurlands og býður upp á f
Skoða kennileitiattractionDrekagil, sem þýðir "Drekagil" eða "Drekaskarð", er stórbrotin og hrikaleg hamragil á norðanverðu hálendi Íslands. Dökka
Skoða kennileitiattractionEyjabakkar er einstakt gróðurvin á hálendinu, staðsett skammt frá Snæfelli, þekkt fyrir flókið net fléttaðra jökuláa og
Skoða kennileitiKanna
97 kennileiti á korti — síaðu eftir flokki og smelltu á pin.
Sjálfakstur
Skipulegðu þína eigin akstur — stöðvaðu þar sem þér líst best, farðu á þínum hraða
KrefjandiRemote volcanic Highlands and the Askja caldera
Eigin leið um Ísland
Eigin leiðarlýsingar með lykilviðkomu, vegalengdum og ráðgjöf — Kannið Hálendið á eigin forsendum.
ChallengingRemote volcanic Highlands and the Askja caldera
ChallengingLandmannalaugar, rhyolite mountains and Highland roads
ChallengingA remote East Iceland highland circuit of waterfalls, forest, Kárahnjúkar dam country and true 4x4 mountain roads.
ChallengingAcross Iceland between Langjökull and Hofsjökull
ChallengingRainbow mountains and geothermal rivers
ModerateComplete circumnavigation of Iceland
Sjálfsakstur gefur þér fulla sveigjanleika. Veldu bílaflokk fyrir veginn á undan og leitaðu að verðum á DiscoverCars.
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Ódýrasti kosturinn fyrir bæjarakstur og malbikaða vegi.
Finna bílaLeitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Þægilegur í lengri ferðir um hringveginn með farangur.
Finna bílaLeitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Meiri veghæð og öruggari akstur.
Finna bílaLeitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Fyrir F-vegi á hálendinu og erfiðari vetraraðstæður.
Finna bílaMikilvægt: fjórhjóladrif tryggir ekki leyfi til aksturs á F-vegum. Staðfestu leiðina, bílinn og leigusamninginn hjá bílaleigunni; lokaðir vegir og akstur yfir ár geta verið bannaðir jafnvel á fjórhjóladrifnum bíl.
Flokkamyndir fyrir leit eru dæmamyndir frá DiscoverCars, ekki rauntímaframboð. Raunverulegir bílar og verð koma úr þinni eigin leit með dagsetningum. GoIceTravel kann að fá þóknun án aukakostnaðar.
Geothermal
The Highlands contain famous natural geothermal bathing areas, but they are fragile environments rather than conventional pools. Conditions, access and water temperature can vary, and some sites have changing rules to protect vegetation and water quality.
Eat & Experience
The Highlands do not have a conventional food scene. Mountain huts and a few seasonal service points may sell basic meals or snacks, but travellers should plan as if they need to carry most of their own food and water.
That self-sufficiency is part of the character of the interior. A hot drink at a hut, a packed lunch after a long hike and a simple meal at camp fit the landscape better than expecting restaurant-style infrastructure.
Buy supplies before leaving the gateway towns, carry extra food for delays and never assume a seasonal service point will be open.
Season by Season
After Dark
The Highlands have exceptionally dark skies, but the normal self-drive season overlaps with Iceland’s bright summer nights, when the aurora cannot be seen. By the time darkness returns, many highland roads begin closing or become unsuitable for ordinary travel. Treat Northern Lights in the interior as a specialist guided or shoulder-season bonus rather than a standard highland itinerary.
Logistics
Many highland roads legally require a 4x4, and the appropriate vehicle depends on the exact route.
Depth and current can change quickly. Never cross if you are unsure, and remember that rental insurance may not cover water damage.
Highland roads open only after snow and ground conditions allow. Check official status before departure.
Road conditionsThey remove much of the vehicle and river-crossing risk for visitors focused on hiking or scenery.
There are long stretches without fuel, food or mechanical help. Plan the full route before entering the interior.
Beyond
Highland day trips should be planned from the nearest gateway rather than Reykjavík by default. Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and Askja are separate destinations with different road requirements; choose one route and build the day around it.
Know Before You Go
A vehicle being a 4x4 does not automatically mean every F-road or river crossing is permitted by the rental company.
If you cannot assess depth, current and exit line confidently, do not cross.
Plan to finish with more fuel than you think you need; services are extremely limited.
Do not rely on cafés or shops inside the Highlands.
Cold rain, wind and near-freezing temperatures can occur even in summer.
Coverage can be patchy and you should not depend on live navigation alone.
A conservative turnaround decision is cheaper and safer than pushing into worsening conditions.
Núverandi veður
partly cloudy
3 m/s vindur
Fara dýpra
Ítarlegar handbækur til að skipuleggja ferð á Hálendið
HandbókLandmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja and the F-road network.
Lesa handbók HandbókHow to drive Iceland's interior safely.
Lesa handbók
HandbókRhyolite mountains, hot rivers and the Laugavegur trailhead.
Lesa handbók
HandbókIceland's iconic multi-day hike, planned end to end.
Lesa handbókGott að vita
Allt sem þú þarft að vita um Hálendið
Only in summer — F-roads typically open late June to early September once the snow melts, and close again with the first autumn snows. Exact dates vary yearly; check road.is.
Yes, by law. Every Highland route is an F-road, which requires a 4x4; driving them in a 2WD is illegal, uninsured and dangerous.
A geothermal area in the Fjallabak reserve famous for rhyolite mountains in reds, greens and yellows, a natural hot bathing river, and the start of the Laugavegur trek.
Take a Highland bus or a guided Super Jeep day tour from Reykjavík or the south coast to Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk or Askja in summer.
Iceland's most famous multi-day hike, ~55 km from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk over 2–4 days, through geothermal fields, glaciers and gorges.
Some routes have unbridged river fords. Assess depth and current on foot first, cross slowly in low gear, and never attempt a river in flood.
A lush volcanic valley between three glaciers, reached by a river-heavy F-road (Super Jeep or bus recommended) — a hiking paradise and the end of the Laugavegur trek.
Yes — a remote caldera in the northeast Highlands with the Víti crater lake you can bathe in. It's a long, rugged drive best done by Super Jeep tour.
Only on organised Super Jeep or snowmobile tours — the F-roads are closed and self-driving is impossible. Independent winter travel is not permitted.
Mountain huts and campsites at Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk and Kerlingarfjöll (book huts far ahead), or base in Hella/Hvolsvöllur on the edge of the south.
Halda áfram að kanna
Auðveldar framlengar frá Hálendið
Allt sem þú þarft á einum stað
Byrjaðu ævintýrið
Skipuleggðu ferð þína með gervigreind, bókaðu ferðir, finndu hótel — allt á einum stað.
Drive only on legal tracks and walk on established paths where geothermal soils and moss are vulnerable.
Landmannalaugar, rhyolite mountains and Highland roads
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