The Icelandic Highlands are, without question, the most spectacular and least visited part of the country. While most tourists flock to the Golden Circle or the South Coast, the vast interior of Iceland remains a world apart: raw, untamed, and stunningly beautiful. But accessing it requires preparation, the right vehicle, and ideally, someone who knows exactly what they’re doing behind the wheel.
Before we dive into each of our highland tours, their highlights, and which one might be the perfect fit for you, let’s first define what we actually mean by the “Highlands” in Iceland. This article focuses primarily on the highland areas you can explore during a day tour from Reykjavík, though we’ll also cover how to combine them into unforgettable multiday adventures.
The Highlands of Iceland: A Short FAQ
What Are the Highlands of Iceland?
The Highlands refer to the vast, elevated plateau that covers the entire interior of the country. This immense area sits at elevations generally above 400 to 500 meters, and is characterized by volcanic deserts, rhyolite mountain ranges, geothermal valleys, glacial rivers, and an almost complete absence of vegetation. No one lives here permanently. There are no towns, no gas stations, and very few man-made structures. It is one of the last great wildernesses in Europe, a landscape shaped entirely by the forces of volcanism, glaciation, and wind.
Where Are the Icelandic Highlands?
Right in the middle of the country. While Iceland’s coastline is dotted with towns, farms, and the famous Ring Road, everything inland belongs to the Highlands. Flanked by massive glaciers like Vatnajökull, Langjökull, Hofsjökull, and Mýrdalsjökull, this interior plateau stretches from the northern deserts near Askja all the way south to the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar. Think of Iceland as a ring of habitable land surrounding a vast, volcanic heart.
When Are the Icelandic Highlands Open and Accessible?
The highland season is short. F-roads (the mountain roads that provide access to the interior) typically open between mid-June and mid-September. Outside of this window, these roads are closed and physically impassable due to snow, ice, and swollen rivers. The exact dates vary from year to year depending on weather conditions and snowmelt. Some seasons start late, others end early. It is always wise to plan your highland adventure during July or August for the most reliable access, though June and September can reward you with fewer crowds and magical light.
Why Should You Take a Private Tour?
This is where we feel strongly, and for good reason. While some highland areas can technically be reached in a large rental SUV, many cannot. Unbridged river crossings, rutted tracks, loose gravel, and unpredictable conditions make the Highlands a challenging environment even for experienced off-road drivers.
With a private tour, you get the comfort and safety of our modified Toyota Land Cruiser, driven by a guide who has crossed these rivers and navigated these tracks dozens of times. No stress about rental insurance exclusions for river crossings. No anxiety about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal. Instead, you get to focus entirely on the experience: the views, the hikes, the silence. And because our tours are private, your guide adapts the day to your pace, your fitness level, and your interests.
Our Day Tours to the Highlands
Landmannalaugar: Iceland’s Crown Jewel
Duration: 12 hours | Season: June - September | Difficulty: Moderate
If there is one highland destination that belongs on every traveler’s bucket list, it’s Landmannalaugar. Often described as Iceland’s crown jewel of highland destinations, Landmannalaugar is famous for its vibrant rhyolite mountains, where volcanic minerals paint the peaks in swirling shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple. It is, quite simply, unlike anything else on Earth.
Your day begins with a stop at the spectacular Ljótipollur crater lake, a deep volcanic explosion crater filled with crystal-clear water, its name ironically translating to “Ugly Puddle.” From there, you venture into the heart of Landmannalaugar itself, where your guide tailors the hiking experience to your group. Options range from the gentle Laugarhraun lava field trail, perfect for families or those who prefer an easier walk, to the moderate ascent of Brennisteinsalda with its steaming fumaroles, all the way to the challenging summit of Bláhnúkur for panoramic views over the entire highland region.
On the return journey, you’ll visit Sigöldugljúfur, the aptly named “Valley of Tears,” where countless waterfalls cascade down the walls of a dramatic canyon. It’s one of those places that makes you stop and simply stare.
Best for: First-time highland visitors, photographers, anyone who wants a taste of the Highlands’ most iconic landscape with flexible hiking options.
Þórsmörk: The Highland Valley of the Gods
Duration: 12 hours | Season: June - September | Difficulty: Moderate
Þórsmörk (Thor’s Valley) is one of Iceland’s most legendary hiking destinations, and for good reason. Sheltered between three glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull, this valley enjoys a unique microclimate that allows lush vegetation to thrive in an otherwise harsh highland environment. Getting here requires crossing multiple glacial rivers, which is precisely why a private tour in our Land Cruiser is the way to go.
The day includes three remarkable experiences. First, you’ll explore Nauthúsagíl, a narrow canyon carved through ancient lava where moss-covered walls tower above glacial streams. You’ll wade through cold water and use installed chains to navigate the passage, arriving at a hidden waterfall deep within the gorge.
Next comes the ascent of Valahnúkur, an ancient volcanic peak that rewards you with a full 360-degree panorama: glacial rivers braiding below, glaciers gleaming on three sides, and the highland wilderness stretching to the horizon.
Finally, you’ll walk into Stakkholtsgjá, a dramatic canyon with towering cliffs that leads to yet another hidden waterfall.
Best for: Adventurous hikers, nature lovers seeking a more immersive and varied experience, and anyone who wants to feel genuinely remote.
Kerlingarfjöll: Where Fire Meets Ice
Duration: 12 hours | Season: June - September | Difficulty: Challenging
Kerlingarfjöll is our most challenging day tour, and arguably the most rewarding for those with the fitness to tackle it. Located deep in the Highlands between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers, this remote mountain range is home to the extraordinary Hveradalir geothermal valley, a place that genuinely feels like stepping onto another planet.
The journey to Kerlingarfjöll is an adventure in itself, crossing vast highland desert landscapes where the absence of trees and vegetation creates open vistas stretching toward distant glaciers. Your hike begins at BaseCamp lodge, situated at 600 meters elevation, and covers approximately 14 kilometers through colorful rhyolite mountain formations, steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pots, and fumaroles releasing sulfurous steam. The contrast between the warm, mineral-stained earth and the cold glacial peaks surrounding you is extraordinary.
Best for: Experienced hikers looking for a physical challenge, geology enthusiasts, and travelers who want to venture deep into the most remote corners of the Highlands.
Þjórsárdalur: At the Edge of the Highlands
Duration: 9 hours | Season: April - October | Difficulty: Moderate
Þjórsárdalur is a slightly different beast. This tour takes you to the very edge of the Highlands, not technically into the high plateau itself, but into a landscape so otherworldly and remote that it delivers the same sense of wonder. And because it sits at a lower elevation, the season runs longer, from April through October, making it an excellent option for travelers visiting outside the narrow summer window.
The day combines Iceland’s Viking heritage with some of its most spectacular waterfalls. You’ll visit Hjálparfoss, where twin cascades flow through hexagonal basalt columns. You’ll explore the ruins of Stöng, a Viking settlement buried by the 1104 eruption of Hekla and preserved under volcanic ash until its discovery in 1939.
The enchanting Gjáin valley, a hidden oasis of springs and small waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation, feels like something from a fairy tale.
And then there’s Háifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls at 122 meters, plunging into a deep volcanic canyon alongside its companion cascade, Granni.
For those interested in completing the cultural experience, a stop at the reconstructed Viking longhouse at Þjóðveldisbærinn and a meal at the Viking-themed Ingólfsskáli restaurant round out the day beautifully.
Best for: History enthusiasts, families, travelers visiting in spring or autumn, and anyone who wants dramatic highland-adjacent landscapes without the most demanding terrain.
How to Combine Them: Multiday Highland Adventures
The 4-Day South Coast Highlands Adventure
A single day in the Highlands is unforgettable. Four days? That’s transformative.
Our 4-Day South Coast Highlands Adventure weaves together the best of southern Iceland’s highland destinations into one cohesive journey. Over four days, you’ll trek Þórsmörk’s hidden valley, explore the Laki volcanic fissure (site of one of history’s most significant eruptions, which created a 25-kilometer fissure with over 100 craters), discover Landmannalaugar’s rainbow mountains via the legendary F208 Fjallabak route, and visit the Viking heritage sites of Þjórsárdalur.
This tour is fully customizable. We’ll work with you to select accommodations, plan activities, and tailor the itinerary to your group’s interests and fitness level. For those who want to push the adventure further, a camping option with our comfortable tent setup is also available.
Starting from 850,000 ISK per group (not per person) for guiding and transportation.
The Ultimate Highland Expedition
A Camping Adventure Through Iceland’s Wilderness
For travelers who want to go all in, we design bespoke multiday camping expeditions through the Highlands. With our large three-room tent and comfortable inflatable mattresses, you’ll sleep under Iceland’s midnight sun in some of the most remote and beautiful campsites the country has to offer.
One family recently experienced exactly this during a 7-day highland camping expedition that took them from the massive Laki lava fields to the depths of the Eldgjá volcanic fissure, from the shores of Langisjór lake to the hot springs of Landmannalaugar, and onward through the vast volcanic deserts of the interior. They crossed unbridged rivers, hiked to the summits of colorful rhyolite peaks, soaked in natural hot springs after long days on the trail, and gathered each evening in the communal tent area to cook dinner and share stories.
Their story also illustrates a key reality of highland travel: flexibility is essential. Weather and road conditions in the Highlands change rapidly. Roads close without warning due to glacial floods. Cold snaps can alter plans overnight. Having an experienced guide who can adapt the route on the fly, finding alternative destinations that are equally spectacular, is what separates a stressful self-drive attempt from a truly extraordinary adventure.
Contact us to design your own highland expedition.
The Ring Road and Highlands: A 10-Day Sample Itinerary
If you want to see as much of Iceland as possible, including substantial time in the Highlands, our 10-Day Ring Road & Highlands tour is the ultimate itinerary. This journey circumnavigates the entire country along the Ring Road while diving deep into the interior at every opportunity.
Highlights include the Golden Circle’s geothermal marvels, a 14-kilometer highland trek through Kerlingarfjöll’s Hveradalir geothermal valley, the highland crossing via the F35 Kjölur route and Hveravellir hot springs, Mývatn’s volcanic wonderland, an expedition to the Askja caldera through the vast Ódáðahraun lava desert, puffin colonies at Borgarfjörður Eystri in the Eastfjords, the Laki volcanic fissure, Vatnajökull glacier lagoons, and the classic South Coast waterfalls.
This tour can be done with premium hotel accommodations or as a camping expedition for those who prefer sleeping closer to nature.
Starting from 2,200,000 ISK per group (not per person) for guiding and transportation.
Why Private Is the Only Way
The Highlands are not a place for compromise. They demand respect, preparation, and expertise. On a large group bus tour, you are on someone else’s schedule, limited to paved parking areas and short photo stops. On a self-drive, you face genuine risks: river crossings that can damage or strand your vehicle, routes with no cell service, and terrain that punishes inexperience.
A private tour gives you the best of everything. An expert driver-guide who knows every river crossing and every hidden trail. A modified vehicle built for exactly this terrain. Complete flexibility to linger at the viewpoint that takes your breath away, or to add an extra hike when the weather is perfect. And the peace of mind to simply be present in one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.
The Highlands are waiting. Let us take you there.
