Central Highlands, South Iceland · Iceland
Iceland's vast, roadless volcanic interior — rhyolite mountains in improbable colours, a natural hot spring and the country's most famous trek.
Photo: Syrio · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Icelandic Highlands are a different country from the coastal ring most visitors see — a vast, roadless volcanic interior of black sand deserts, glaciers and mountains streaked improbably with orange, pink and green rhyolite, accessible only by rugged F-roads and only in summer.
Landmannalaugar is the highlands' most accessible gateway: a natural hot spring set among those rainbow mountains, and the starting point of the Laugavegur trail, widely considered one of the world's great multi-day treks.
It's a different kind of Iceland trip — fewer paved roads, fewer facilities, and a real sense of remoteness — which is exactly why the travellers who make it out here tend to rank it among the best few days of their whole visit.
Why visit
The Highlands' case rests on scenery and solitude that Iceland's more accessible regions simply can't match.
Streaked in shades of orange, pink, green and black, unlike Iceland's more familiar black-and-green palette.
Four days through glaciers, deserts and river crossings, ending in the birch valley of Þórsmörk.
No permanent settlements, no paved roads, and vast stretches without another vehicle in sight.
A warm stream fed by geothermal water and glacial meltwater, with none of the Blue Lagoon's infrastructure.
Hekla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, looms over the highland's northern approach.
Main attractions
The Highlands' sights are spread across a vast area, most reachable only by 4x4 on rugged F-roads.
The Highlands' most iconic spot, a natural warm stream set among rhyolite mountains in shades of orange, pink and green.
Tip Bring your own towel and be ready to change outdoors — facilities are basic.
A renowned four-day, 55km trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, crossing glaciers, deserts and rivers along the way.
Tip Book mountain huts along the route months ahead in peak summer.
One of Iceland's most active and historically feared volcanoes, its long ridge visible across much of the southern highlands.
Tip Climbing requires a guide and current volcanic activity clearance — check before planning.
One of the largest volcanic canyons on Earth, formed by an enormous 10th-century eruption, with the Ófærufoss waterfall inside it.
Tip The rough F-road access means only high-clearance 4x4s should attempt the drive.
A sheltered, surprisingly green valley ringed by three glaciers, and the traditional endpoint of the Laugavegur trail.
Tip River crossings on the approach road mean only specially equipped highland buses or serious 4x4s get in.
A striking geothermal mountain range of colourful rhyolite peaks and steaming valleys, quieter than Landmannalaugar.
Tip The on-site mountain hut makes a good overnight base for exploring the valley.
A remote volcanic caldera in the northern highlands, with a stark blue lake and the smaller, swimmable Víti crater beside it.
Tip The long, rough drive means most visitors join a guided highland tour rather than self-driving.
Things to do
The Highlands reward a mix of relaxing at the hot spring and pushing further into the wilderness.
An unspoiled, free alternative to Iceland's commercial spas, warmed by geothermal water flowing into a cold mountain stream.
Tip Look for the warmer pockets near where the geothermal water enters the stream.
Even a single day-hike stage gives a real taste of the highland scenery, without committing to the full four-day trek.
Tip The first stage to Hrafntinnusker is a popular, manageable day-hike option.
A thrilling way to reach the more remote corners of the highlands, fording unbridged glacial rivers in a modified 4x4.
Tip Book with an experienced local operator rather than attempting river crossings in a standard rental.
A surreal swim in a volcanic crater's warm, milky water, reached by a steep path down from the rim.
Tip The steep, slippery path down needs sturdy footwear and real care.
A quieter alternative to Landmannalaugar for the same striking colour palette of volcanic rock.
Tip Morning light brings out the colour contrasts best.
An unforgettable way to experience the highlands, with campsites at Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk open through summer.
Tip Bring a proper four-season tent — highland nights stay cold even in July.
Local food
The Highlands are sparse on dining — most food here comes from mountain huts, campsites or what you carry in yourself.
Served at the handful of highland mountain huts that offer cooked dinners to trekkers.
Where to try it Mountain huts along the Laugavegur trail.
A practical, protein-rich trail food, light to carry and sold at highland huts and campsite shops.
Where to try it Campsite shops at Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk.
A dense, long-lasting bread that holds up well as trail food over several trekking days.
Where to try it Packed in from Reykjavik before setting out.
A traditional, high-protein trail snack that needs no refrigeration, popular with Laugavegur trekkers.
Where to try it Packed in from supermarkets before the trek.
Simple, hearty meals at the highland huts, from soup to pasta, are a welcome end to a long trekking day.
Where to try it Booked mountain huts along the Laugavegur trail.
Iceland's famous caraway schnapps, occasionally shared around a mountain hut table after a long day's hike.
Where to try it Carried in — the huts themselves rarely sell alcohol.
Accommodation
Highland accommodation is limited to mountain huts and campsites, both needing advance booking in summer.
Transport
The Highlands are reached only by rugged F-roads, open for a short summer season only.
Once inside the highlands, getting around means hiking, highland buses, or a well-equipped 4x4.
When to go
The Highlands are a short-season destination, with F-roads and huts only open for about ten weeks each summer.
The safest window, with roads open, huts staffed and rivers at their most manageable levels.
Quieter, though some snow can still linger on higher passes.
Fewer crowds, though huts and roads start closing for the season.
Inaccessible — F-roads, huts and highland buses all close outside the short summer season.
Worth planning around: Avoid planning a highland trip outside late June to early September — the interior is simply closed.
Itinerary
Built around the hot spring and a taste of the Laugavegur trail, without committing to the full multi-day trek.
Travelling in and settling by the natural hot spring.
A day-hike into the highlands before heading back.
Travel tips
The Highlands demand more preparation than anywhere else in Iceland — plan accordingly.
FAQ
Yes, for travellers with the time — it's one of the most distinctive landscapes in Iceland, with a free natural hot spring to match.
By highland bus from Reykjavik in summer, or by a properly equipped 4x4 capable of river crossings.
About 55km over four days, from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, with mountain huts along the way.
Roughly late June to early September — F-roads, huts and highland buses are all closed the rest of the year.
For self-driving, yes — standard rental cars aren't permitted on F-roads. Highland buses are the alternative.
It's a moderate, well-marked trek, but river crossings, weather and altitude changes mean real trekking fitness and gear are needed.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Landmannalaugar & the Highlands, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
South-East Iceland, Iceland
A glacier lagoon and ice cave country at the edge of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume, with icebergs drifting to a black sand beach.
Don't miss Watching a seal surface between drifting icebergs at Jökulsárlón, Vatnajökull's blue-white ice cap rising behind the lagoon.
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Iceland's most-visited route, looping past a UNESCO rift valley, an erupting geyser and a thundering waterfall within a single day from Reykjavik.
Don't miss Watching Strokkur's water dome swell for a few seconds before erupting in a sudden column of steam and spray, metres from where you're standing.
Explore Destination — The Golden CircleSouthern Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's single most photographed stretch of coast, its waterfalls, black sand beaches and glaciers strung along one accessible road from Reykjavik.
Don't miss Walking the path that ducks fully behind Seljalandsfoss's curtain of falling water, the whole valley framed through it.
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