6 Best Sights in Sprengisandur Route, The Highlands

Fed by the icy waters of the glacial river Skjálfandafljót, Aldeyjarfoss (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.

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; the canyon has even earned the nickname the \"Valley of Tears\" due to its many waterfalls. To get here, turn off Route 26 and take the F208 south to Landmannalaugar. From the junction, it's about 8 km (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.

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, and there are shorter trails, too. For bookings, contact Ferðafélag Islands.

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 km (11 miles) northeast of Hrauneyjar Highland Center.

A highlight of the Sprengisandur route, the “Pass of Hope” is a hiking trail between the Tungnafellsjökull 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. You'll need to be well prepared as the trail is rated challenging and the round-trip hike is around 26 km (16 miles).