Did you know? For centuries Europeans believed Hekla volcano was one of the entrances to Hell. During eruptions, people thought they could hear souls escaping from inside the mountain.
Icelandic Highlands
The Highlands are Iceland's wild interior — a vast, uninhabited plateau covering almost 40% of the country's land area, yet visited by relatively few tourists. There are no permanent settlements here, no service stations, and no paved roads. Only rugged F-roads accessible to 4x4 vehicles cross this remote wilderness.
For centuries, Icelandic outlaws fled into the highlands to escape justice. The most famous was Fjalla-Eyvindur (Mountain Eyvindur), who lived as a fugitive in the interior for 20 years in the 18th century with his wife Halla, surviving the brutal winters in ice caves and remote valleys. Their story became one of Iceland's most beloved legends.
The Highlands are only accessible in summer — typically from late June to early September — when the F-roads are passable. River crossings can be deep and dangerous. Travellers must be self-sufficient and prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Today the Highlands draw adventurous travellers from around the world for epic trekking routes, super jeep expeditions, and the extraordinary coloured rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar — a landscape so alien it has been used to train NASA astronauts.
Highland Travel Requirements
All highland F-roads require a 4x4 vehicle and are only open in summer (approx. late June – September). River crossings can be dangerous. Always check road conditions at road.is before departing and never attempt F-roads in a regular 2WD car. Guided super jeep tours are the safest way to visit.
Top Attractions in the Highlands
Remote wilderness, colourful rhyolite mountains and volcanic wonders
Aldeyjarfoss Highlands
Aldeyjarfoss Highlands is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Arnarvatnsheiði Highland Lakes
Arnarvatnsheiði is located in the Central Highlands of Iceland.
Learn more →Bláhnjúkur Peak
A steep obsidian-rich peak offering panoramic views over the Landmannalaugar highlands. The area features unique rock formations, lava fields, and evidence of past eruptions that tell the story of Iceland's fiery origins. It offers visitors an up-close look at the forces that continue to shape this island nation.
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Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
From $899
Book NowBrennisteinsalda Mountain
A vividly colored rhyolite mountain with active geothermal vents and rainbow-striped mineral slopes. The area features unique rock formations, lava fields, and evidence of past eruptions that tell the story of Iceland's fiery origins. It offers visitors an up-close look at the forces that continue to shape this island nation.
Learn more →Brúarj Iceland's Most Accessible Highland Glacier
Brúarjökull is in the eastern Highlands, northeast of Vatnajökull.
Learn more →Bruarpotturinn is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Private Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour & Glacier Hike
From $7240
Book NowFaxi Highlands
Faxi Highlands is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Fjallabak
Fjallabak is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Gjáin
Gjáin is a stunning waterfall located in Highlands. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape. Fed by glacial meltwater and rainfall, the waterfall is a spectacular sight in all seasons, surrounded by dramatic lava rock formations.
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Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
From $7400
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Gudrunarlaug is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Háifoss
Háifoss is a stunning waterfall located in Highlands. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape. Fed by glacial meltwater and rainfall, the waterfall is a spectacular sight in all seasons, surrounded by dramatic lava rock formations.
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Hekla
Hekla is a remarkable volcanic wonder in Highlands. This dramatic landscape was shaped by powerful volcanic forces over thousands of years. Visitors can witness the raw geological power of Iceland's volcanic heritage through dramatic lava fields, craters and unique rock formations.
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Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
From $1666.73
Book NowHerðubreið - Queen of Mountains
Herðubreið is located in the northeastern Highlands.
Learn more →Hrafntinnusker Highland Area
A remote obsidian mountain ridge on the Laugavegur trail with geothermal hot springs and snow fields. Shaped by volcanic activity, glacial erosion, and the forces of wind and water over millennia, this natural attraction draws visitors who come to witness landscapes found nowhere else. The area provides excellent opportunities for photography, hiking, and connecting with Iceland's pristine wilderness.
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Hrunalaug
Hrunalaug is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Glacier Adventure at Sólheimajökull Private Tour
From $389.7
Book NowHúsafell Canyon Baths
Husafell Canyon Baths is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
Learn more →Hvammsvík
Hvammsvik Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Hveravellir
Hveravellir is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Visit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
From $1200
Book NowKálfstindar Peaks
Kálfstindar are striking rhyolite peaks in the Icelandic highlands, showcasing vibrant colors from yellow and orange to green and red. These mountains are remnants of ancient subglacial volcanoes, and their colorful appearance comes from mineral deposits and hydrothermal alteration. The area is remote and pristine, accessible only in summer by 4x4.
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Kerlingarfjöll
Kerlingarfjöll is a remarkable natural wonder in Highlands. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
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Kerlingarfjoll Hot Spring is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Kjalvegur
Kjalvegur is a remarkable natural wonder in Highlands. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
Learn more →Kjölur Highland Route (F35)
Kjölur (F35) runs through Iceland's central highlands between Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Route details: - Length: ~170 km (Gullfoss to Route 1 north) - Road: F35 (gravel, highland F-road) - Duration: 4-5 hours drive (slow, rough sections) - Open: Mid-June to mid-September (weather dependent) - Vehicle: 4x4 essential (no river crossings on main route) Landmarks: - **Hveravellir**: Hot spring area with bathing pool, mountain hut, campsite - View of Langjökull glacier (west) - View of Hofsjökull glacier (east) - Mountain desert landscape - Historical route (used for 1,000+ years) Access: - South access: From Gullfoss (Route 35) - North access: From Route 1 near Blönduós Services: - Hveravellir hut and campsite (midway) - No fuel or services on route - Highland buses operate summer Combine with: Golden Circle, Kerlingarfjöll, North Iceland Kjölur is one of Iceland's most historic and accessible highland routes. Crossing duration: Full day (with stops at Hveravellir).
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Laki Craters
Laki Craters is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Lambafellsgjá Canyon Viewpoint
Lambafellsgjá is a lesser-known but spectacular canyon in the Icelandic highlands. The narrow gorge features crystal-clear emerald water flowing between sheer rock walls. This hidden gem requires a 4x4 vehicle to reach and offers a more intimate experience than crowded tourist sites.
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Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is a remarkable natural wonder in Highlands. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
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Langisjór
Langisjór is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull (Long Glacier) is Iceland's second-largest ice cap at 953 square kilometers, located in the western highlands. The glacier feeds several rivers including Iceland's second-longest, Þjórsá. A man-made ice tunnel allows visitors to walk inside the glacier and see ice formations, blue ice chambers, and learn about glaciology.
Learn more →Laugahraun Lava Field
A 15th-century lava field surrounding Landmannalaugar, known for its obsidian and colorful formations. The area features unique rock formations, lava fields, and evidence of past eruptions that tell the story of Iceland's fiery origins. It offers visitors an up-close look at the forces that continue to shape this island nation.
Learn more →Laugavegur Hiking Trail
The Laugavegur Trail is Iceland's most renowned hiking route, covering 55 kilometers from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk over 4-5 days. The trek passes through incredibly diverse landscapes including colorful rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, steaming geothermal areas, and lush valleys. Mountain huts along the route provide accommodation.
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Maelifell
Maelifell is a remarkable natural wonder in Highlands. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
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Nauthólsvík
Nautholsvik Beach is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Ófærufoss
Ófærufoss is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Sigöldugljúfur
Sigöldugljúfur is a stunning waterfall located in Highlands. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape. Fed by glacial meltwater and rainfall, the waterfall is a spectacular sight in all seasons, surrounded by dramatic lava rock formations.
Learn more →Skatalaug is a natural hot spring located in highlands. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Sprengisandur Highland Route (F26)
Remote desert highland track crossing Iceland's interior through black sand plains between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. The drive offers numerous stops for photography, short walks, and moments of wonder at the beauty of the Icelandic landscape.
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Strútslaug
Strútslaug is a geothermal attraction in Highlands. Experience Iceland's powerful geothermal energy up close at this remarkable natural site. The area features hot springs, steam vents and mineral-rich waters that showcase the raw volcanic forces beneath Iceland's surface.
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Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Veiðivötn
Veiðivötn is a unique destination and attraction in Highlands. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Learn more →Hidden Gems in the Highlands
Off-the-beaten-path spots most tourists miss
Ljótipollur Crater Lake
Ljótipollur — meaning 'ugly puddle' — is a vivid blood-red volcanic crater lake near Landmannalaugar. Despite its unglamorous name it is one of the most striking sights in the Highlands, with steep red and black crater walls plunging into deep blue water. The crater formed in a lava field eruption around 500 years ago. Few visitors make the short hike to the rim, making it a remarkably peaceful spot even during the peak summer season.
Hveravellir Hot Springs
Hveravellir is a geothermal oasis in the centre of the Kjölur highland route — a collection of boiling mud pools, blue hot springs and fumaroles set in a lava field between two glaciers. A natural bathing pool filled with warm geothermal water sits right beside the hot springs. According to legend, Hveravellir was a hideout for the 18th-century outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur, who survived in the Highlands for years by bathing in the warm springs to endure the freezing winters.
Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall
Aldeyjarfoss is one of Iceland's most dramatic waterfalls — a thundering 20-meter cascade surrounded by perfectly symmetrical basalt columns rising from the riverbank like cathedral pillars. Located on the Sprengisandur route near the highland edge, it sees a fraction of the visitors that more accessible waterfalls receive. The contrast between the white churning water and the dark, geometric basalt formations creates one of the most striking compositions in Icelandic nature photography.
Legends of the Highlands
The Icelandic Highlands have always been a place of myth. These mountains, glaciers and volcanic deserts bred some of Iceland's most enduring stories — outlaws, petrified trolls, and eruptions born from human fury.
Kerlingarfjöll – The Petrified Troll Woman
📍The geothermal Highland mountains named after a troll woman called Kerling — 'the old hag' — who was petrified at dawn while crossing the interior with her troll followers.
Kerlingarfjöll — 'The Mountains of the Troll Woman' — take their name directly from a figure in Highland folklore. According to the legend, a large troll woman called Kerling (simply 'the hag' or 'the crone') led a group of trolls across the volcanic interior of Iceland by night. Trolls, as all Icelanders know, cannot survive exposure to sunlight — when daylight touches them, they solidify instantly into stone.
Kerling and her followers were moving through the highlands, believed to be heading west toward the coast, when dawn broke faster than expected. The mountains caught them all mid-stride. The strange, towering peaks of the Kerlingarfjöll range — with their steaming fumaroles and shades of orange and red — are said to be the remains of Kerling and her companions, frozen in the moment of their petrification.
The landscape itself seems to support the myth. Steam vents rise continuously from the valley floors. The mountain ridges take on strange, anthropomorphic shapes in certain light. And the sheer remoteness of the area — accessible only in summer by 4x4 on the Kjölur highland road — gives it the feeling of a place that belongs to older forces than humans.
Read full legend →Outlaws of the Highland Interior
📍For centuries the Highlands served as refuge for outlaws banished from Icelandic society — real men whose desperate lives became woven into folklore.
The Icelandic legal term was útlegðarmaður — outlaw. A person declared an outlaw under the old Alþingi parliament was cast from all protection of law and society. Anyone could kill them without legal consequence. The only place to survive was the interior — the Highlands, which had no farms, no villages, and only minimal patrol. It was a death sentence dressed as exile.
The most famous outlaw of the Highlands was Fjalla-Eyvindur — Eyvindur of the Mountains — who lived as a fugitive in the Highland interior for over twenty years in the 18th century. He and his wife Halla survived winters that would have killed most people, sheltering in caves and natural overhangs, hunting and living on the land. Their shelter near Hveravellir on the Kjölur route is still pointed out to visitors: a low stone enclosure tucked into a geothermal area where the ground stayed above freezing even in the depths of winter.
Fjalla-Eyvindur became a folk hero — a symbol of endurance, defiance and Highland survival. His story has been told in plays, films and novels. The shelter at Hveravellir is one of the oldest surviving man-made structures in the Highlands.
Read full legend →Katla Volcano Legend
📍The legend of Katla the cook, whose stolen stockings unleashed Iceland's most feared glacier volcano — a myth so embedded in culture that eruptions are still called 'Katla is waking'.
The Katla volcano lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap in southern Iceland. It has erupted regularly throughout recorded Icelandic history — roughly every 40 to 80 years — and each eruption triggers catastrophic glacial floods (jökulhlaup) that have swept away farms, reshaped coastlines, and in one case transported icebergs bigger than houses out to sea.
The name 'Katla' comes from a legend set at the medieval farm of Þykkvabæjarklaustur monastery. Katla was a cook there — a bad-tempered woman with a pair of magical stockings that gave the wearer superhuman speed and endurance. When a young shepherd called Barði discovered and stole the stockings, Katla was furious. She threw herself into the volcano in rage, and the volcano erupted with so much power it swept Barði and everything around him away in a torrent of meltwater and ice.
Katla has not had a major eruption since 1918. Volcanologists consider it one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland and monitor it closely. When Icelanders speak of Katla 'waking up,' there is a cultural weight in the phrase that goes far beyond seismology — it reaches back to the old story of a furious cook throwing herself into the fire.
Read full legend →Adventure in the Wild Interior
The Icelandic Highlands offer a level of raw adventure found nowhere else on Earth. No phone signal, no facilities, no other tourists — just you and one of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes on the planet.
The Laugavegur Trail — 55 km from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk — is consistently ranked among the world's top trekking routes. It passes through coloured rhyolite mountains, steaming hot springs, obsidian lava fields, and views of glacial valleys that look like they belong on another planet.
Super jeep expeditions offer access to the most remote corners of the highlands — the Askja caldera, the Holuhraun lava field, and the volcanic table mountain of Herðubreið. These tours are led by experienced local guides who know every river crossing and weather pattern.
Laugavegur Trail
55 km world-class trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk through rhyolite mountains and glacial valleys.
Super Jeep Tours
Access remote volcanic landscapes, river crossings and the Askja caldera with expert local guides.
Landscape Photography
The coloured rhyolite of Landmannalaugar and Fjallabak is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Top Tours in the Highlands
Best-rated experiences — book instantly with free cancellation
Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
From $899
Book NowPrivate Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour & Glacier Hike
From $7240
Book NowReykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
From $1666.73
Book NowVisit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
From $1200
Book NowFrequently Asked Questions
When are the Highlands open?▾
F-roads typically open in late June and close again in September or October. The exact dates vary by year and weather conditions — check road.is for current road status before travelling.
Do I need a 4x4 for the Highlands?▾
Yes — absolutely. 4x4 is mandatory for all F-roads. River crossings can be waist-deep and are extremely dangerous in a regular car. Never attempt highland roads in a 2WD vehicle.
How do I hike the Laugavegur Trail?▾
The trail runs 55 km from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk and takes 3–5 days. Book mountain huts well in advance (months ahead in peak season). You can also do guided hiking tours if you prefer not to carry camping gear.
How far is Landmannalaugar from Reykjavík?▾
About 180 km — but the last 30+ km are on rough F-roads, making total driving time around 3–4 hours. A 4x4 or the scheduled highland bus is required.
Is Askja worth the journey?▾
Yes — Askja is one of Iceland's most spectacular volcanic calderas, with the otherworldly Víti crater lake filled with milky blue-green water. The journey takes a full day from Akureyri. Most people go on a super jeep tour.
Haunted Places in the Icelandic Highlands
The Highlands are the most remote and mysterious region of Iceland. Many travelers historically believed spirits protected these landscapes — and medieval Europeans thought one volcano marked the entrance to Hell.
Landmannalaugar
Steam vents rising from the colorful rhyolite mountains were believed to be entrances to hidden underground worlds.
Kerlingarfjöll
The mountains are said to be petrified trolls caught by sunrise — Kerling herself led them across the highlands before dawn broke.
Askja Caldera
This remote volcanic caldera is often described as a gateway to underground fire worlds — formed in a catastrophic eruption in 1875.
Hekla Volcano
For centuries, Europeans believed Hekla was one of the entrances to Hell itself — a belief documented in medieval manuscripts across Europe.
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🚐 Getting Around Iceland
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⚔️ Viking Heritage
Saga sites and Viking routes in this region