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Highlands
Regional Information
 The
Central Highlands and rugged great interior region
of Iceland are unpopulated and infrequently
travelled. Nature is still at its rawest and most
untouched form, including glaciers, deserts of black,
volcanic sand, barren glacial moraine, steaming hot
springs, active and spent volcanoes and unusual
patches of vegetation.
Two main overland routes follow ancient trails once braved on
foot or horseback. The western route over Kjölur
is passable by 4WD cars in summer, skirting Langjökull
glacier on the way to Hveravellir geothermal field
before emerging by the Ring Road in the north.
A side road leads to Kerlingarfjöll mountains, a
summer skiing and hiking centre.
A more direct central route is over the black
sands of Sprengisandur; which has rough tracks as well
as unpredictable rivers without bridges to cross.
This route can only be negotiated by big 4WD
vehicles, and
even then preferably in groups. The
Sprengisandur route threads its way between
glaciers and comes out southeast of Akureyri, near
Lake Mývatn.
The areas around
Mt. Askja, weary travelers can bathe in the naturally warm lake called Víti (Hell), and
Kverkfjöll, a high-temperature geothermal field on
the rim of Vatnajökull, where the heat creates
fantastic but ever-changing ice caves. Guided
tours are recommended.
For just a taste of the interior, two gems of nature on the
southern rim of the highlands are among Iceland's
most popular summer spots. Þórsmörk is
a designated nature reserve and a hikers´ paradise. It is divided by powerful glacial
rivers into three separate areas that can only be
reached by driving through the river in good 4WD
vehicles at specific places. Newcomers should not attempt the crossing alone
- the river is unpredictable.
Landmannalaugar is a hotbed of geothermal
activity, with springs to bathe in and riotously
coloured mountains. Landmannalaugar can be reached by
4WD car in the summertime, but you should drive
carefully along the bumpy road. Regular
coaches operate to both Þórsmörk and
Landmannalaugar in summer.
Travel to the Central Highlands is limited to
summertime - check the Public Roads Administration
website to find out exactly which roads are open,
and when. Enquire about the state of highland
roads before you set off, keep up-to-date with
conditions as you go, tell someone about your
plans - and don't take risks.
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