Five Unforgettable Adventures Only Possible in Iceland’s Highlands

Most visitors discover Iceland through its famous Ring Road. They chase waterfalls along the south coast, wan...

Most visitors discover Iceland through its famous Ring Road. They chase waterfalls along the south coast, wander across black sand beaches and stop at glacier lagoons before continuing to the next well-known attraction.

While these places deserve their reputation, they only tell part of Iceland’s story.

Beyond the paved roads lies the country’s untamed interior – a vast wilderness of volcanic deserts, colourful mountains, steaming geothermal valleys and glacial rivers. Known as the Iceland Highlands, this remarkable region remains inaccessible for much of the year and rewards those willing to venture beyond the familiar.

Travelling here isn’t simply about reaching another destination. It’s about embracing the journey itself, where every winding F-road reveals landscapes that feel untouched by time.

If you’re looking for an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, these five Highland experiences belong at the very top of your list.

Preparing for an Iceland Highlands adventure

Before heading into the Highlands, it’s important to understand that this is one of Europe’s most remote wilderness areas.

The region is criss-crossed by F-roads, Iceland’s mountain tracks that are generally open only during the summer months. Weather conditions can change quickly, river levels vary throughout the day and services such as fuel stations, restaurants and accommodation are often many kilometres apart.

Planning ahead is essential.

Before setting off, travellers should:

• Check daily road conditions and weather forecasts.
• Carry enough food and drinking water.
• Refuel whenever the opportunity arises.
• Download offline maps before leaving populated areas.
• Pack warm, waterproof clothing regardless of the season.

Since many Highland routes are only suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles, choosing a premium campervan rental in Iceland allows travellers to explore these remote landscapes with greater comfort while enjoying the flexibility to stay close to Iceland’s most spectacular scenery.

1. Wander through the colourful mountains of Landmannalaugar

Few places capture the beauty of Iceland’s Highlands quite like Landmannalaugar.

Located within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, this extraordinary landscape is famous for its rhyolite mountains, where shades of orange, green, pink and yellow create one of the country’s most striking panoramas. Depending on the weather and sunlight, the colours appear to shift throughout the day, making every visit feel unique.

Landmannalaugar is also one of Iceland’s premier hiking destinations.

The famous Laugavegur Trail begins here, attracting walkers from around the world, but shorter trails are equally rewarding. A few hours on foot can lead you through lava fields, alongside steaming vents and across colourful valleys that seem almost otherworldly.

After a day of hiking, many visitors relax in the area’s natural geothermal hot spring, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

It’s the perfect place to slow down and appreciate the peaceful atmosphere that defines much of the Highlands.

2. Stand beside the volcanic crater of Askja

Reaching Askja is an adventure in itself.

Hidden deep within the central Highlands, this enormous volcanic caldera sits in one of Iceland’s most remote landscapes. The journey crosses black volcanic deserts and rugged mountain tracks before revealing a scene that feels remarkably untouched.

Askja has played an important role in both Icelandic geology and space exploration. During the 1960s, NASA astronauts visited the area to train for the Apollo missions because its volcanic terrain resembled the surface of the Moon.

The highlight for many visitors is Víti, a striking explosion crater filled with vivid blue geothermal water. Nearby lies Öskjuvatn, one of Iceland’s deepest lakes, occupying the heart of the caldera.

Standing here, surrounded by silence and vast volcanic landscapes, it’s easy to understand why Askja remains one of Iceland’s most unforgettable destinations.

3. Explore the dramatic valley of Þórsmörk

Named after the Norse god Thor, Þórsmörk is one of Iceland’s most spectacular hiking regions.

Sheltered between glaciers and rugged mountain ridges, the valley offers an entirely different landscape from the surrounding volcanic deserts. Dense birch woodland, winding rivers and vibrant green vegetation create an oasis in the middle of Iceland’s rugged interior.

Reaching Þórsmörk is part of the adventure.

Several access roads involve river crossings, making this one of the more challenging destinations in the Highlands. Once there, however, visitors are rewarded with a network of outstanding walking trails.

Whether you’re climbing to panoramic viewpoints or following gentle valley paths, every route reveals breathtaking views of glaciers, deep canyons and snow-capped peaks.

For photographers, few locations offer such dramatic contrasts between ice, forest and volcanic landscapes.

4. Discover the geothermal wonders of Kerlingarfjöll

Kerlingarfjöll may not receive the same attention as some of Iceland’s better-known Highland destinations, but that’s part of its appeal.

This mountain range combines colourful rhyolite peaks with steaming geothermal valleys, creating scenery unlike anywhere else in the country.

The Hveradalir geothermal area is particularly impressive.

Steam rises continuously from the ground while bubbling mud pools and hot springs fill the valleys with an ever-present mist. Wooden walkways allow visitors to explore the fragile landscape safely while enjoying spectacular views across the surrounding mountains.

The hiking opportunities are equally rewarding.

Trails range from gentle walks through geothermal valleys to more demanding climbs that reveal sweeping views across Iceland’s interior.

Arriving early in the morning or later in the evening often provides the best conditions for photography, as the changing light enhances the vivid colours of the surrounding mountains.

5. Drive the legendary Sprengisandur Route

For travellers seeking true wilderness, few experiences compare to crossing Sprengisandur.

Stretching through the heart of Iceland’s Highlands, this historic route passes between the mighty Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers, crossing vast volcanic deserts where signs of civilisation almost disappear.

Unlike many scenic drives, Sprengisandur isn’t defined by a single attraction.

Its magic lies in its immense scale.

Kilometre after kilometre of open landscape creates a rare sense of isolation that is increasingly difficult to find in modern travel. The silence is remarkable, interrupted only by the sound of the wind or the occasional river crossing.

Driving this route requires preparation, patience and respect for the conditions, but those willing to make the journey are rewarded with one of Iceland’s most authentic adventures.

It isn’t simply a road. It’s an expedition across one of Europe’s last great wildernesses.

Respect the Highlands and leave no trace

The Iceland Highlands remain one of the country’s most fragile environments.

Protecting these remarkable landscapes ensures future travellers can enjoy the same sense of discovery.

A few simple principles make a significant difference:

• Stay on marked roads and designated tracks.
• Never drive off-road, even if the terrain appears empty.
• Take all rubbish away with you.
• Respect temporary road closures and weather warnings.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
• Leave natural features exactly as you found them.

Travelling responsibly not only protects Iceland’s unique environment but also preserves the wilderness that makes the Highlands so special.

Adventures you’ll never forget

The Iceland Highlands aren’t about ticking famous landmarks off a list.

They’re about standing alone beside a volcanic crater, hiking through mountains painted in impossible colours, soaking in a geothermal valley after a long day’s walk or driving across landscapes so vast they seem to stretch beyond the horizon.

These are experiences that demand a little more planning and a spirit of adventure, but they reward travellers with something increasingly rare: the feeling of discovering a place that still feels genuinely wild.

For those willing to leave the Ring Road behind, Iceland’s Highlands reveal a side of the country that few visitors ever truly experience—and it’s often the part they remember long after the journey has ended.