2 Best Sights in The Highlands, Iceland

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.

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.