Plan your Iceland Highlands Itinerary for 2026

Located in the Fjallabak Natural Reserve, Landmannalaugar is one of the most inviting gateways into the Icelandic Highlands. It’s known for its colourful rhyolite mountains, nearby lava fields, natural hot springs, and scenic hiking trails.

Landmannalaugar is also one end of the Laugavegur Trail, but you don’t need to commit to a multi-day trek to enjoy it. Several shorter hiking trails begin here, including the Laugahraun trail and Brennisteinsalda–Bláhnúkur loop. These routes take you across steaming geothermal areas and into a lava field that was formed during a 1477 eruption.

Access is via F-roads, ranging from rough gravel tracks to more challenging routes with river crossings.

After a day of hiking, you can slow down and soak in the natural geothermal pool.

Practical things to know about Landmannalaugar:

• Access from Reykjavík: Route 1 → F26 or 32 → F225 or F208
• Mountain hut: Available on-site during summer
• Vehicle required: Standard 4x4

Tip: Take F32 and F208 to pass highlights like Haifoss Waterfall, Sigöldugljúfur Canyon, and Ljótipollur Crater Lake along the way.

Þórsmörk is a lush valley set within the rugged, wild terrain of the southern Icelandic Highlands. Surrounded by glaciers and steep mountain ridges, it feels sheltered yet untamed.

Day hikes here take you through diverse landscapes, from moss-covered hills to deep canyons. Popular routes include the panoramic Valahnúkur hike and the scenic Stakkholtsgjá Canyon trail.

Þórsmörk is also one end of the Laugavegur Trail. Plus, it connects to the more challenging Fimmvörðuháls pass, making it a key hub for hikers exploring different parts of the Highlands. One of our most popular tours is the 4-Day Thórsmörk guided hike.

Despite its remote feel, it’s not far from the Ring Road. This makes it easy to combine with South Coast highlights like waterfalls and black sand beaches. However, access does involve several river crossings, including the well-known and often challenging Krossá river.

In winter, guided Super Jeep tours often run here as well, giving you a chance to experience the valley under the Northern Lights.

Practical things to know about Þórsmörk:

• Access from Reykjavík: Route 1 → F249 (near Seljalandsfoss)
• Mountain hut: Skagfjörðsskáli hut in Langidalur (open early May to early October)
• Vehicle required: Modified 4x4 (Super Jeep)

The Laugavegur Hike is one of the most iconic hiking routes in the Icelandic Highlands. And for many travellers, it forms the heart of an Iceland Highlands itinerary. Stretching between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, this multi-day hike brings together some of the region’s most striking landscapes.

Over several days, you move through a constantly changing environment. This includes colourful rhyolite mountains, vast lava fields, black sand plains, and steaming geothermal areas. Each day feels different, yet the journey flows naturally from one landscape to the next.

What makes Laugavegur special is its balance. It feels remote and adventurous, yet it’s well-marked and supported by mountain huts along the route. This makes it accessible for those who are prepared, even without deep wilderness experience.

Practical things to know about Laugavegur:

• Route: Landmannalaugar → Þórsmörk (can be done in either direction)
• Duration: 3–5 days, depending on pace
• Difficulty: Moderate, with long hiking days
• Mountain huts: Several are available along the trail

For those looking to extend the journey, the Fimmvörðuháls Pass continues beyond Þórsmörk toward Skógar. This trail connects directly to Laugavegur and adds a more challenging, high-altitude section to the experience.

The route crosses between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, and feels more exposed and rugged. Along the way, you pass fresh volcanic terrain formed during the 2010 eruption, including craters like Magni and Móði. As well as sweeping views over the Highlands and toward the coast.

Compared to Laugavegur, this hike is more demanding, often completed in a long day. But for those who continue, it adds an extra element of adventure to the journey.

Practical things to know about Fimmvörðuháls Pass:

• Route: Þórsmörk → Skógar (or reverse)
• Duration: 8–12 hours (typically done as a day hike)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with steep climbs
• Mountain hut: Fimmvörðuskáli along the route
• Access: Via Þórsmörk (F249 with river crossings) or Skógar from the Ring Road

To get the best of both worlds, we recommend our 6-day Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls hike.

Looking for summit hikes in Iceland? Located right next to Þórsmörk and along the Fimmvörðuháls Pass, Eyjafjallajökull is one of Iceland’s most well-known volcanoes. This stratovolcano gained global attention during its 2010 eruption. And while it’s now in a quieter, inactive phase, the landscape still carries the marks of its powerful past.

The area offers a range of hiking experiences, from glacier walks to a full summit hike. Reaching the top is moderately challenging, covering around 12.7–15 km round trip and taking 9–12 hours.

Along the way, you move across volcanic terrain and glacial slopes, with sweeping summit views as the reward. You can see the eruption crater, the Atlantic Ocean, and nearby glaciers like Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull on clear days.

Practical things to know about Eyjafjallajökull:

• Access from Reykjavík: Same route as Þórsmörk via Route 1 → F249 (near Seljalandsfoss)
• Mountain hut: Fimmvörðuskáli, located nearby along the Fimmvörðuháls route
• Vehicle required: Modified 4x4 (Super Jeep)

Kerlingarfjöll is a striking geothermal area in the central Icelandic Highlands. Here, steam rises from the ground, and the mountains glow in deep shades of red, orange, and gold. The landscape feels raw and alive, shaped by heat just beneath the surface.

Hiking at Kerlingarfjöll takes you through colourful valleys, past bubbling hot springs, and along ridgelines with wide views across the Highlands. Trails vary in length, but even shorter walks offer a strong element of wonder. It also remains more accessible than many other parts of the Highlands, making it a rewarding stop on a Highland tour.

Unlike the busier southern routes, Kerlingarfjöll often feels quieter. It’s one of Iceland’s hidden gems where we can slow down and take in the landscape at our own pace.

Practical things to know about Kerlingarfjöll:

• Access from Reykjavík: Route 1 → Route 35 (Kjölur route) → F347
• Vehicle required: Standard 4x4

Situated along the Kjölur route, Hveravellir is a geothermal area that offers a quieter side of the Icelandic Highlands. Steam rises from fumaroles, and mineral-rich hot springs glow in shades of blue, red, and green across the surrounding lava fields.

Marked walking paths (called green, red, and orange trails) range from 30 minutes to around 5 hours. These routes guide you through the geothermal area, where most hot springs are best admired from a distance. There is, however, one naturally heated pool that is cool enough for a dip, perfect for relaxing after a hike.

Compared to more rugged parts of the Highlands area, Hveravellir feels accessible and easy to explore. This makes it a great stop on any Iceland Highlands itinerary. Its location between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers also adds a bonus, with sweeping views across the central Highlands.

Practical things to know about Hveravellir:

• Access from Reykjavík: Route 1 → Route 35 (no river crossings)
• Vehicle required: Standard 4x4