25 Best Sights in The Highlands, Iceland

Fed by the icy waters of the glacial river Skjálfandafljót, Aldeyarfoss (near Goðafoss in the north) presents a terrific torrent of white water surging over a strange chasm of twisted basalt columns with enough thunderous force to vibrate the surrounding rock. It’s a powerful and impressive grand finale at your journey’s end.

A large caldera in the center of a volcanic system with many fissures, Askja is one of the most stunning sights in all of Iceland. Although it has a history stretching back 700,000 years, the topography seen today—the pristine blue Öskjuvatn lake and Víti crater—is the result of a massive 1875 volcanic episode that produced more ash than any other in Iceland's history. It blanketed 3,861 square miles, wiping out livestock and forcing many to migrate to North America. The hike to Öskjuvatn lake and Víti crater is around 3 km (2 miles) from the Vikraborgir car park, where you'll also find well-maintained toilet facilities.

If you've seen postcards of Iceland, you might already be familiar with the beautiful symmetrical form of this 1,682-meter (5,518-foot) table mountain. Standing alone in the vast Ódáðahraun lava field, Herðubreið (meaning “the broad-shouldered”) is a national favorite and dubbed "Queen of the Icelandic Mountains."

A little piece of heaven can be found at Herðubreiðalindir, where the spring-fed river Lindaá waters wildflowers and lush vegetation. As one of the main stops on the Askja Trail, the area is home to a campsite and a rangers’ station, in addition to the charming little Þorsteinsskáli hut operated by Ferðafélag Akureyrar. There are some lovely short hikes around the oasis and a trail to what is believed to be the remains of a hide-out built by famous outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur. According to legend he sheltered here, in the winter of 1774, surviving on raw horse meat and angelica roots.

A relatively new addition to the desolate heart of Iceland’s northern interior, the Holuhraun lava field is the result of a six-month-long volcanic event that began in August 2014. By the time it was over it had produced Iceland’s most significant lava flow in over 200 years, with the 1,600-meter-long fissure spewing out enough lava to completely cover 85 square km (33 square miles). A marked trail leads through a small section of the lava field on the northern edge close to the parking area. The new lava is particularly sharp, so wear hiking boots (not sneakers) and be careful. To reach Holuhraun follow the F910 south of Askja. Stop at the rangers’ station at Drekagil first for safety information and more detailed directions.

This historic oasis at the halfway point of the Kjölur route is also one of Iceland's best-known geothermal areas, featuring the luminous Bláhver hot spring and a silica-encrusted fumarole called Öskuhólshver (Screaming Spring). A highlight of the Kjölur route, Hveravellir has mountain cabins with modern private rooms, sleeping-bag accommodations, and a service center with a restaurant, plus access to a geothermal pool for bathing. Trails in the area lead to some unexpected treasures, such as the Þjófadalir hidden valley. Stay on the boardwalks while exploring the hot springs.

The star attraction of the Kjölur route, the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range features steaming hot springs and a span of beautiful rhyolite mountain slopes topped with several dramatic glacier-speckled peaks, the highest rising to 1,477 meters (4,846 feet). The area is popular with hikers and has great trails of varying lengths and difficulty, with steps and trails climbing the slopes to give access to dramatic, other-worldly panoramas. To reach the mountain cluster, turn off Route 35 onto Route F347 and drive for 10 km (6 miles), where you'll reach the Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Resort. You can hike along a canyon from here to reach the mountains, or continue on a rough gravel road for 5 km (3 miles) to reach a parking lot in an area known as Hveradalir.

A combination of opposites results in the Kverkfjöll ice caves, where hot geothermal waters emerge, sculpting dramatic ice caves at the base of the glacier. Because of the unstable conditions inside the caves, venturing inside (at any time of year) is strictly prohibited. You can, however, enjoy the beauty of them from outside. Inquire at Sigurðarskáli hut about free, ranger-led tours of the area. 

The starting point of the Kverkfjöll route, Möðrudalur (on Route 901) is Iceland’s highest farmstead, at 469 meters (1,539 feet). With sweeping views of magnificent Herðubreið, this remote sheep farm dates back to the Saga age. It was an important waypoint for Icelanders for many years—and it still is, providing excellent farm-fresh food and accommodation for weary travelers. At Möðrudalur you will find a petting area where you can get close up to arctic foxes, the quaint Fjallakaffi restaurant and café, camping, a guesthouse, and upscale hotel rooms. They also offer superb day tours and activities. Note that Route 901 may close during the winter: check road access on  www.road.is.

An awesome flash of beauty and color in an otherwise bleak landscape, Sigöldugljúfur Canyon Features a parade of waterfalls toppling over a stretch of ravine walls, vibrant with green vegetation, into a luminous blue river. Combined, these elements create an enchanting fairy-tale scene worthy of any picture postcard. To get here, turn off Route 26 and take the F208 south to Landmannalaugar. From the junction, it's about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to a small parking area for the canyon, and you walk the rest of the way (approximately 15 to 20 minutes) to view the spectacle. Ask at Hrauneyjar for specific directions; the trail from the parking lot to the canyon is not marked.

A highlight of the Sprengisandur route, the “Pass of Hope” is a hiking trail between the Tungnafelljökull and Vatnajökull glaciers with stunning panoramic views. Ask at Nýidalur for updates on conditions before setting out on this trail, as meltwater from glaciers can make crossing streams difficult.

There are many chilling stories of unfortunate folks who perished in the Highlands; one tale tells of brothers named Bjarni and Einar Halldórsson, who were caught in a snowstorm northeast of Kjalfell mountain and tragically died along with their horses and sheep. Their bones were found years later in a place since dubbed Beinahóll (Bone Hill) and found around 21 km (13 miles) south of Hveravellir, off Route F35. The Wilderness Centre in East Iceland features an exhibition on this legendary event.

As the old Icelandic saying goes, distance makes the mountains blue. Rising on the horizon as you drive north, Bláfell is a magnificent 1,204-meter (3,950-foot) mountain steeped in myth, legend, and tales of hidden treasure. A trail off the main road leads to the Fremastaver mountain hut, which makes an excellent base for those planning to climb the mountain—it's a long but rewarding hike.

North of Hveravellir and the Kjalhraun lava field is the expansive, milky-green Blöndulón lagoon—a man-made lake formed when the Blanda river was dammed together with the source of the river Kolkukvísl for the Blanda hydroelectric power plant, which came online in 1991. The lagoon forms the third-largest lake in Iceland.

A highlight of the Dyngjufjöll massif that surrounds the Askja caldera, the “Dragon Gorge” is a gnarly canyon that resembles a dragon from certain angles. When the river running through the canyon is shallow enough, a relatively short hike leads to a lovely waterfall. Drekagil is a basecamp for trails leading to Askja, Öskjuvatn, and Víti, with a mountain hut, a rangers' station, and camping facilities. There’s water available, but you’ll need to bring food supplies.

This remarkable 10,000-year-old crater, or “tuff ring,” was formed by the explosive meeting of red-hot magma and cold groundwater. Its shape, which is reminiscent of an amphitheatre, was put to good use as a shelter for horses before it was used as a location in the hit 2013 sci-fi film Oblivion starring Tom Cruise.

This splash of green in the monochrome Highlands is a true oasis. Fed by Lindaá river springs and rich with alpine vegetation—especially angelica (hvönn), from which the location derives its name—the area is a delightful stop on the Kverkfjöll route (F903). The discovered ruins of what is believed to be the hideout of legendary 18th-century outlaws Fjalla-Eyvindur and Halla adds historic charm.

From the Sigurðarskáli mountain hut, the 12-km (7½-mile) round-trip hike up to Hveradalur (meaning “valley of the hot springs”) takes nine hours. Not an easy hike by any measure—there's an unrelenting 2-km (1-mile) steep climb—it makes a memorable episode for the more determined explorer, with rewarding views of a spectacular glacial lagoon and a mountainside steaming with countless hot springs.

On the Eyjafjörður exit via F821, 25 km (15 miles) west of the main Sprengisandur route, Laugafell is a mountain oasis with a steaming hot spring on its northwestern slopes. Close by are naturally heated mountain huts with sleeping-bag accommodations and a fantastic geothermal pool to relax in.

In the remote desert between glaciers Hofsjökull and Tungnafellsjökull, Nýidalur is one of the main stops on the Sprengisandur route and an outpost with sleeping-bag accommodation. It’s a great base camp for people trekking the Vonarskarð Pass. For bookings, contact Ferðafélag Islands.

A rare instance of true beauty in the bleak highlands, this lake on the southern part of the Askja caldera formed when a magma chamber collapsed in on itself (a subsidence cauldron) after the devastating volcanic event of 1875. At approximately 220 meters (722 feet) deep, the lake is one of the deepest in Iceland and still growing.

A short climb to the top of this Highland mountain will reward you with sweeping views of the rugged glacier-cut realms the region is famous for. A 2-km (1-mile) marked trail leads up to Virkisfell (1,109 meters) from the back of the Sigurðarskáli mountain hut.

On the other side of a narrow ridge from Öskjuvatn lake, Víti (meaning “hell”) was formed during the same 1875 eruption. With its milky-blue warm water, it's both a visual treat and an opportunity to take a dip in a geothermal pool of mineral-rich water. The trail down to the water is steep and can be slippery, so exercise caution. The water temperature is around 30°C (86°F) but is usually warmer in the middle. Beware of gravel and rocks falling from the sides. The hike to the Víti crater is around 3 km (2 miles) from the Vikraborgir car park—the same trail leading to Askja and Öskjuvatn.

As the largest lake in Iceland, Þórisvatn has a surface area of around 88 square km (about 33 square miles). Serving as a reservoir, the lake increased in size when water was diverted from the Kaldakvísl river for a hydroelectric plant. The scenic lake lies to the east of Route F26 around 18 kilometers (11 miles) northeast of Hrauneyjar Highland Center.