6 Best Sights in The Highlands, Iceland

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 10,000 square km (3,860 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.

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 Iceland’s northern interior, the Holuhraun lava field is the result of a six-month-long event that began in August 2014 in the Bárðarbunga volcanic system. By the time it was over it had produced Iceland’s most significant lava flow in over 200 years, with the 1,600-meter (5,249-foot) -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 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.

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.

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.

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.