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Highlands
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Explore Iceland’s Highlands for volcanic deserts, glacial valleys, geothermal trails and demanding summer journeys beyond the settled coast.

Iceland’s Highlands form the island’s rugged interior: a vast, largely uninhabited landscape of lava fields, glacial rivers, volcanic mountains, black deserts and geothermal valleys. This is not a conventional administrative region but a geographical and travel area extending across the centre of Iceland, where the settled coast gives way to difficult terrain and long distances. Roads are sparse, weather changes rapidly, and many routes are accessible only during the short summer season.
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The landscape is exceptionally varied. In the south, Landmannalaugar is known for its rhyolite mountains, hot springs and colourful slopes, while Þórsmörk occupies a sheltered valley between glaciers and supports walking routes through birch woodland and volcanic terrain. Farther east, the Askja area presents a stark volcanic world of calderas, lava and desert-like expanses. In the central interior, the Kjölur and Sprengisandur routes cross broad uplands between major ice caps, while Kerlingarfjöll combines richly coloured geothermal mountains with marked hiking trails.
The Highlands are shaped by ice as much as by fire. Langjökull, Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull feed rivers that cut through the interior, and glacial meltwater can make crossings hazardous even when the weather appears calm. Geothermal features are most accessible at places such as Hveravellir and Landmannalaugar, but visitors should treat hot springs, mud pools and unstable ground with care. The contrast between snowfields, fresh lava, moss-covered ridges and deep ravines is central to the region’s character.
Historically, the interior was crossed rather than densely settled. Routes such as Kjölur and Sprengisandur connected different parts of Iceland, but difficult conditions limited regular travel and encouraged stories of isolation, danger and outlawry. Today, the Highlands are valued for walking, geology, photography and wilderness travel rather than permanent urban life. There are no substantial towns in the interior, and even recognised destinations may consist only of a hut area, campsite, ranger facility or seasonal service point.
A journey here requires preparation and flexibility. Visitors commonly explore by high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, organised excursion or multi-day trek, with itineraries planned around road openings, river conditions and weather forecasts. The reward is a quieter, more elemental side of Iceland, where distances are measured by terrain and the most memorable landmarks may be a volcanic ridge, a steaming valley or a road vanishing towards an ice cap.

When is the best time to visit Highlands?

Best: June–August · 14–16°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January270
February360
March465
April755
May1150
June (best)1445
July (best)1640
August (best)1545
September1255
October865
November470
December275

Getting to and around Highlands

How to get there

There are no major airports, railway stations or towns in Iceland’s Highlands. Most journeys begin from Reykjavík or other settled areas around Iceland, with access commonly arranged by high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, seasonal bus service, guided excursion or trekking transfer. Roads such as the Kjölur route, Sprengisandur route and roads into Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk are seasonal and their opening dates vary. Askja and eastern Highland destinations require particularly careful planning, while nearby settlements such as Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Akureyri or Egilsstaðir may serve as practical gateways depending on the chosen route.

Transportation

Travel within the Highlands is slow and route-dependent. Many roads are marked F-roads and require a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle; ordinary rental cars are generally prohibited on them. River crossings can change rapidly and may be impassable, so never rely on an old video, map or previous visitor’s experience. Seasonal buses and organised 4WD excursions serve some major walking areas, but coverage is limited. Multi-day hikers use marked trails and mountain huts, while independent drivers should carry detailed maps, check conditions before departure and allow substantial time for delays.

Top city travel guides in Highlands

The cities of Highlands, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Highlands

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Highlands

The Highlands’ attractions are primarily geological and outdoor rather than urban or commercial. Landmannalaugar, within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, combines colourful rhyolite mountains, lava formations and hot-water bathing with access to major walking routes. Þórsmörk offers contrasting scenery: sheltered valleys, birch woodland, ridges and views towards glaciers, although access involves difficult roads and river conditions. In the central interior, Hveravellir provides geothermal features and a long-established stopping place on the Kjölur route, while Kerlingarfjöll is known for steaming mountain valleys and marked hiking terrain. Farther east, the Askja region presents vast lava fields and caldera landscapes within Vatnajökull National Park. Multi-day treks, including the Laugavegur, reveal changing scenery over several days rather than through a sequence of roadside viewpoints. Wildlife is present but not the main attraction; visitors are more likely to encounter hardy vegetation, birds and the evidence of glacial and volcanic processes. Facilities are deliberately limited, so the experience depends on preparation, low-impact travel and reading the landscape rather than collecting conventional attractions.

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Best landmarks in Highlands

The most recognisable landmarks of the Highlands are natural formations created by volcanism, ice and geothermal activity. The multicoloured mountains of Landmannalaugar are among the region’s defining sights, their bands of rhyolite and dark lava making a marked contrast with the surrounding uplands. In Þórsmörk, ridges and valleys lie between major glaciers, producing a landscape shaped by both shelter and exposure. Hveravellir’s steaming ground and hot springs mark the historic Kjölur crossing, while Kerlingarfjöll is distinguished by orange, red and yellow geothermal mountains. Askja’s caldera and extensive lava fields form one of the interior’s most powerful volcanic landscapes, and Kverkfjöll stands at the meeting point of high mountains, ice and geothermal forces. The black deserts crossed by Sprengisandur are landmarks in their own right: broad, austere spaces that explain the physical difficulty of historical travel across Iceland. These places are visually prominent but environmentally delicate, and road closures or seasonal conditions may determine whether they can be reached.

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Best restaurants in Highlands

Dining in the Highlands is limited and closely tied to huts, campsites, mountain lodges and organised excursions rather than a restaurant scene. Visitors normally bring provisions from Iceland’s towns, and self-catering is essential for remote routes. Where seasonal facilities operate, food is generally practical fare suited to hikers and drivers, while mountain huts may provide cooking facilities rather than full meals. Icelandic staples such as rye bread, dairy products, lamb, fish, dried foods and hearty soups travel well, but the interior does not have a separate cuisine distinct from the wider country. In gateway towns and rural districts outside the Highlands, cafés, bakeries, farm restaurants and traditional pubs provide broader choices before or after an expedition. Carry sufficient water and food because a service point shown on a map may be seasonal, closed or unable to supply a complete meal.

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Best bars in Highlands

The Highlands have virtually no conventional nightlife, and evening activity centres on mountain huts, campsites, shared kitchens and quiet lodges rather than bars or nightclubs. Hikers and drivers commonly spend the evening checking weather, preparing routes, sharing food or observing the long summer light. Some seasonal accommodation may serve meals or refreshments, but opening arrangements vary and should not be assumed. There is little artificial light, making clear nights suitable for landscape viewing and, later in the season, potentially for aurora watching, though cloud and weather remain decisive. For pubs, live music and a broader social scene, visitors need to return to Iceland’s settled areas, particularly the towns used as gateways to individual Highland routes. Alcohol should never be combined with driving, river crossings or hazardous outdoor activities.

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Best nightclubs in Highlands

The Highlands have virtually no conventional nightlife, and evening activity centres on mountain huts, campsites, shared kitchens and quiet lodges rather than bars or nightclubs. Hikers and drivers commonly spend the evening checking weather, preparing routes, sharing food or observing the long summer light. Some seasonal accommodation may serve meals or refreshments, but opening arrangements vary and should not be assumed. There is little artificial light, making clear nights suitable for landscape viewing and, later in the season, potentially for aurora watching, though cloud and weather remain decisive. For pubs, live music and a broader social scene, visitors need to return to Iceland’s settled areas, particularly the towns used as gateways to individual Highland routes. Alcohol should never be combined with driving, river crossings or hazardous outdoor activities.

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Best shops in Highlands

Shopping in the Highlands is limited to practical supplies and small-scale seasonal facilities rather than retail districts. Visitors should buy fuel, food, medications, maps, spare equipment and suitable clothing in Iceland’s towns before entering the interior. Mountain huts, campsites or lodges may sell simple refreshments or basic items, but stock and opening arrangements cannot be assumed. Regional gateway towns are better places for Icelandic woollen goods, outdoor equipment, books, local food and crafts. Useful souvenirs include lopapeysa-style wool jumpers, knitted accessories, locally produced preserves and design items, although these are Icelandic products rather than goods exclusive to the Highlands. Farm shops and galleries outside the interior may offer regional produce, while hiking areas themselves should be treated as protected landscapes rather than shopping destinations. Leave no waste behind and avoid removing rocks, moss or volcanic material from the environment.

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Highlands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Icelandic króna, abbreviated ISK, as throughout Iceland. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Iceland’s towns and at many established visitor facilities, but the Highlands have few or no payment points and some seasonal huts or campsites may have limited facilities. Carry a suitable reserve of food, fuel and cash for contingencies, while not assuming that a remote service point will be open or connected. Exchange rates vary, so check current rates with a bank or card provider rather than relying on informal conversions.
Safety
The principal risks are environmental rather than urban: sudden cold, strong wind, fog, river crossings, unstable volcanic ground, geothermal water and long distances without assistance. Driving conditions can deteriorate quickly, and a vehicle breakdown may become serious because of limited traffic and weak mobile coverage. Check weather, road and river information before leaving, tell someone your route and use SafeTravel.is where appropriate. Do not walk on glaciers or approach boiling ground without suitable knowledge and equipment, and leave extra time for returning before conditions worsen.
Emergency Situations
Dial 112 in an emergency anywhere in Iceland for police, fire, ambulance and other coordinated emergency assistance. In the Highlands, explain your exact location, route, vehicle details and nearest landmark; GPS coordinates can be especially valuable. Search and rescue teams operate nationally, but response times may be longer in remote terrain and visitors should not treat rescue as a substitute for preparation. Download maps and essential information before departing, since mobile coverage is inconsistent and may disappear entirely.
Do's and Don'ts
Do remain on marked tracks and paths, close gates, obey road closures and take all waste with you. Do respect camping rules, hut reservations and instructions around geothermal areas. Do not drive off-road, damage fragile moss or attempt a river crossing simply because another vehicle has done so. In Iceland generally, tipping is not obligatory, though good service may be acknowledged. Ask before photographing people or private facilities, and remember that apparently empty land may still be protected, privately managed or environmentally vulnerable.
Local Tips
Treat the Highlands as a route-planning destination rather than a place to improvise after arrival. Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk suit different itineraries from the central volcanic deserts around Askja, so avoid trying to connect distant areas in a single rushed day. Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll offer more defined visitor facilities than many remote interior routes, but availability remains seasonal. Weather can cancel a plan even in midsummer; build flexibility into multi-day journeys and consider a guided trip if you lack highland driving or river-crossing experience.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[/ˈhaʊdi/]
GoodbyeSee ya[/siː jɑː/]
YesYep[/jɛp/]
NoNah[/nɑː/]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[/ʃʊr θɪŋ/]
Thank youThanks[/θæŋks/]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[/ˈpɑːrdən mi/]
How are you?How's it going?[/haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ/]
Fine. And you?I'm good. You?[/aɪm ɡʊd juː/]
Do you speak English?Do you know English?[/duː juː noʊ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/]
I don't understandI don't get it[/aɪ doʊnt ɡɛt ɪt/]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[/kæn aɪ siː ðə ˈmɛnjuː/]
I don't eat meatI'm a vegetarian[/aɪm ə ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛriən/]
Cheers!Cheers![/tʃɪrz/]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[/kæn aɪ ɡɛt ðə tʃɛk/]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![/hɛlp/]
Go away!Leave me alone![/liːv mi əˈloʊn/]
Call the Police!Call 911![/kɔːl naɪn wʌn wʌn/]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![/ɡɛt ə ˈdɑːktər/]
I'm lostI'm lost[/aɪm lɔst/]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[/aɪm nɑːt ˈfiːlɪŋ wɛl/]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[/aɪ wɑːnt tuː baɪ/]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[/dʒʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ/]
How much is it?What's the price?[/wʌts ðə praɪs/]
That's too expensiveThat's pricey[/ðæts ˈpraɪsi/]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a deal?[/kæn juː ɡɪv miː ə diːl/]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[/wʌt taɪm ɪz ɪt/]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[/ɪts wʌn əˈklɒk/]
Half past (10)Half past ten[/hæf pæst tɛn/]
MorningMorning[/ˈmɔrnɪŋ/]
AfternoonAfternoon[/ˌæftərˈnun/]
EveningEvening[/ˈivnɪŋ/]
YesterdayYesterday[/ˈjɛstərdeɪ/]
TodayToday[/təˈdeɪ/]
TomorrowTomorrow[/təˈmɔroʊ/]
1One[/wʌn/]
2Two[/tuː/]
3Three[/θriː/]
4Four[/fɔːr/]
5Five[/faɪv/]
6Six[/sɪks/]
7Seven[/ˈsɛvən/]
8Eight[/eɪt/]
9Nine[/naɪn/]
10Ten[/tɛn/]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[/wɛrz ðə/]
What's the address?What's the address?[/wʌts ði əˈdrɛs/]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[/kæn juː pɔɪnt ɪt aʊt/]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[/wɛn z ðə nɛkst bʌs/]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket to... please[/wʌn ˈtɪkɪt tuː... pliz/]

History of Highlands

Volcanic Formation and Glacial Shaping

The Highlands were formed through the interaction of Iceland’s volcanic activity and its position beneath the North Atlantic ice cap. Repeated eruptions created lava fields, volcanic cones, calderas and ash deserts, while glaciers and meltwater carved valleys and deposited broad outwash plains. This geological history remains visible at Askja, Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and numerous unnamed lava landscapes. Earthquakes, eruptions and geothermal activity continue to shape the interior, making the Highlands an important setting for understanding Iceland’s living geology rather than simply a setting of ancient rock.

Settlement-Era Routes and the Interior

Iceland’s early settlers established farms mainly along the coast and in valleys where pasture and water were more dependable. The interior was generally too exposed and agriculturally poor for permanent settlement, but it was crossed by routes linking northern and southern districts. Kjölur and Sprengisandur became important overland passages, while knowledge of rivers, weather and seasonal conditions was essential. Travel was slow and hazardous, and the Highlands’ remoteness helped preserve their reputation as a demanding frontier within the Icelandic landscape.

Medieval Sagas and Highland Outlaws

Medieval Icelandic literature and later oral tradition often portray the interior as a place of exile, danger and endurance. Stories connected with outlaws, fugitives and difficult crossings reflect the social penalties of medieval Iceland as well as the physical severity of the landscape. These narratives should not be read as straightforward travel records, but they help explain why the Highlands occupy such a strong place in Iceland’s cultural imagination. Volcanic deserts, mountain passes and isolated valleys frequently serve as settings for tales of conflict and survival.

The Modern Mapping of the Interior

For centuries, knowledge of the Highlands was practical and local, transmitted through routes, landmarks and seasonal experience. From the eighteenth century onward, scientific, administrative and surveying expeditions gradually produced more systematic maps and descriptions of the interior. Travel remained difficult because of rivers, lava fields, glaciers and poor weather, but mapping helped clarify the relationship between Iceland’s central routes, ice caps and volcanic systems. Modern roads and marked trails have made selected areas more accessible without removing the underlying physical challenges.

Volcanic Events and Scientific Attention

The Highlands contain several of Iceland’s most important volcanic areas. The 1875 Askja eruption caused ashfall and disruption, particularly in eastern Iceland, and drew international scientific attention to the region. Later eruptions and geothermal investigations continued to demonstrate that the interior is an active geological system. The large volcanic landscapes around Askja, Kverkfjöll, Bárðarbunga and other central areas are now studied alongside protected for their environmental and scientific value, while access remains controlled by conditions and conservation requirements.

Conservation and Wilderness Tourism

During the twentieth century, roads, mountain huts, rescue infrastructure and organised trekking gradually opened selected parts of the interior to visitors. The creation and expansion of protected areas, including Vatnajökull National Park and the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, reflected growing recognition of the Highlands’ geological, ecological and cultural importance. Tourism has increased substantially, especially on routes such as the Laugavegur, but the region remains highly sensitive. Modern management therefore focuses on seasonal access, designated camping, trail protection, river safety and limiting damage to slow-growing vegetation.

Highlands in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Highlands, Iceland

Discover Highlands, Iceland with Evendo: the 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and curated recommendations
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More about the Evendo app

Make the most of your trip to the Highlands, Iceland with Evendo. Your comprehensive, free travel guide app for discovering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
  • Interactive maps and navigation
  • Contact details for all listed locations
  • History of the Highlands
  • Travel essentials and advice
  • 'Near Me' feature for finding nearby attractions
  • Free to use with no hidden costs

Planning a trip to the stunning Highlands of Iceland? Let Evendo be your personal travel guide, ensuring you experience the best of this majestic region. From the breathtaking landscapes to the vibrant local culture, Evendo provides detailed information on all the top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

Explore iconic landmarks like the Hveradalir Geothermal Area and the awe-inspiring Langisjór Lake. Dive into the local culinary scene with recommendations for must-visit restaurants such as The Highland Center Hrauneyjar and the cozy Fjalladýrð Café. Discover hidden gems and local favorites with Evendo's curated local tips, making you feel like a true insider.

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