The highlands

The North Iceland

Highlands

The Icelandic Highlands cover the majority of the country and many of Iceland’s impressive natural attractions can be found here. Away from crowds, noise and bustle, the Highlands offer silence, serenity, peace and extreme natural beauty.

The North Iceland Highlands main attractions include Arnarvatnsheiði, Askja Caldera, Bárðarbunga, Herðubreið, Herðubreiðalindir, Hveravellir, Kverkfjöll, Laugafell and Möðrudalur.

Askja Caldera

Askja is a 50 km2 caldera in the Dyngjufjoll mountains. The mountains emerged in eruptions under an Ice Age glacier cap.

Askja itself was formed, for the most part, at the end of the Ice Age in a major ash eruption which caused the roof of the magma chamber at the heart of the central volcano to subside.

Askja is a part of Vatnajökull National Park.

The caldera contains several volcanoes, including Víti (explosive volcanic crater). Water has accumulated in the crater, its temperature is variable – it is around 30°C on average.

Víti is a popular bathing site, but if you intend taking a dip, please be aware that the sloping path is very slippery in wet weather.

The road to Askja goes from road 1 to road 901 and onto mountain road F905. Onward to F910 to Drekagil. On this route there are two fords to cross, usually small. From Drekagil goes mountain road F894 (8 km) to the car park at Vikraborgir.
Another option is to go from road 1 to mountain road F88 via Herðubreiðarlindir to Drekagil. On this road ther are fords on the rivers Grafarlandsá and Lindá that need to be crossed. The fords can be difficult or even impassable for small jeeps.

GPS Points
N65° 3′ 7.099″ W16° 42′ 37.091″

Road Number
F894

Mt. Herðubreið, a.k.a. The Queen

Mt. Herdubreid on the Oskjuleið Route is a 1682m high table mountain.

It is the national mountain of Iceland and often called the “Queen of Icelandic mountains.”

There is a hiking trail to the top of the mountain, but due to loose rock it’s difficult and steep.

The road to Askja goes from road 1 to road 901 and onto mountain road F905. Onward to F910 to Drekagil. On this route there are two fords to cross, usually small. From Drekagil goes mountain road F894 (8 km) to the car park at Vikraborgir.
Another option is to go from road 1 to mountain road F88 via Herðubreiðarlindir to Drekagil. On this road ther are fords on the rivers Grafarlandsá and Lindá that need to be crossed. The fords can be difficult or even impassable for small jeeps.

GPS Points
N65° 10′ 36.318″ W16° 19′ 41.112″

Road Number
F88

Herðubreiðarlindir

At the foot of Herðubreið are the Herðubreiðarlindir Springs, a spot with magnificent views and diverse natural attributes – which is probably why so many people consider this to be one of the most beautiful places in the country’s wilderness.

The road to Herðubreiðarlindir is only passable in summer.

The road to Askja goes from road 1 to road 901 and onto mountain road F905. Onward to F910 to Drekagil. On this route there are two fords to cross, usually small. From Drekagil goes mountain road F894 (8 km) to the car park at Vikraborgir.
Another option is to go from road 1 to mountain road F88 via Herðubreiðarlindir to Drekagil. On this road ther are fords on the rivers Grafarlandsá and Lindá that need to be crossed. The fords can be difficult or even impassable for small jeeps.

GPS Points
N65° 11′ 34.055″ W16° 13′ 20.126″

Road Number
F88

Plan your visit

In summer, park rangers are based in Drekagil by Askja, Kverkfjöll and Hvannalindir. They provide information and education about the national park:

Ranger station Location (GPS coordinates)Phone number
Drekagil
N65° 02,514   W16° 35,691+354 842 4357
Kverkfjöll
N64° 44,850   W16° 37,890+354842 4369
Hvannalindir
N64° 53,349   W16° 18,426+354842 4368

At Drekagil and Herðubreiðarlindir, the Akureyri Touring Club offers accommodation in huts and campgrounds, while the touring clubs of Fljótsdalshérað and Húsavík offer similar services at Kverkfjöll.

No accommodation is available at Hvannalindir over the summer.

Askja
The walk from the parking area at Vikraborgir up to Askja takes just over half an hour. The trail is well marked – an easy walk.

Víti (with optional extension around Lake Askja)
A walk from the accommodation facilities at Drekagil leads west over the Dyngjufjöll Mountains to the Víti crater. This is a walk of 2-3 hours one-way.

If the hike is extended around Lake Askja, the round trip will take 8-12 hours. The trail passes along the ridge of Thorvaldstindur on the south side of the lake. It is not possible to walk along the shore of the lake as rock falls from the steep slope of the mountain are almost continuous. Loose volcanic material, mainly pumice, is common in gullies. This, along with switchback paths on the walk up to the summit of the ridge, makes the trail slow-going and demanding.

Bræðrafell
Allow at least 7-9 hours if you are planning to walk from Drekagil to Brædrafell. The marked trail begins south-east of the edge of Vikrahraun lava field, which is impossible to cross.

Dyngjufjalladalur
A marked trail leaves the parking area near Vikraborgir and crosses the Askja pass at its narrowest point, continuing west to over the pass of Jónsskard to reach the Akureyri Touring Association’s cabin in the valley of Dyngjufjalladalur.

This hike takes between 9 and 11 hours. Do not set off on this route unless the weather forecast is good.

Please visit this page for more information on hiking in the area.

How to get there

You will need a 4×4 vehicle – or take the bus. 

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Some friendly advice

Bring….

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The Highlands - Photo Gallery
The northern lights capital of Iceland

Mývatn

Mývatn offers a unique natural environment unlike anything else in Iceland. With large contrasts and short distances, you can experience the most and the best that Iceland has to offer.

Undisputed gem of the northeast, Mývatn (pronounced mee-vaht) lake and the surrounding area are starkly beautiful, an otherworldly terrain of spluttering mudpots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles and volcanic craters, set around a bird-filled lake.

The Mývatn basin sits squarely on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the violent geological character of the area has produced an astonishing landscape unlike anywhere else in the country; this is the Iceland you’ve always imagined.

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