2 Best Sights in Kverkfjöll Route, The Highlands

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. From the hut, there's an interesting 3-km (2-mile) trail to the parking area by the Kverkjökull glacier.

From the Sigurðarskáli mountain hut, the 12-km (7.5-mile) round-trip hike up to Hveradalur (meaning “valley of the hot springs”) takes eight to 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. The Kverkfjöll day tour operated by Fjalladýrð includes this guided hike.