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The Icelandic Highlands Are Open For Just Eight Weeks A Year
The colorful landscape of Landmannalaugar in the Iceland Highlands is accessible for just a couple of months each year. getty
The Icelandic highlands are one of Europe's last true wildernesses. It's a vast, uninhabited interior of volcanoes, glaciers and lava deserts that feels closer to another planet than the North Atlantic.
Yet for most of the year, they are completely cut off by snow, flooding, and treacherous weather. For travelers, the window to explore this otherworldly volcanic landscape is surprisingly short: roughly eight weeks between early July and early September.
Covering much of Iceland's central plateau, the Icelandic highlands are an environment of extremes.
Black volcanic plains stretch to the horizon, broken by steam vents and bright green moss. Rhyolite mountains shimmer in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Braided glacial rivers cut through valleys, and massive ice caps glint in the distance.
NASA even used parts of the highlands to train Apollo astronauts, believing the barren terrain would mimic the surface of the moon. That comparison still feels apt today: there are no permanent settlements, and apart from a handful of seasonal ranger stations and mountain huts, the region is empty.
It feels like a world away from the busy tourist traffic of the Golden Circle.
For travellers who make the journey into Iceland's highlands, the rewards are spectacular.
Hikers at the Hvanngil camp site on the well-known Laugavegur hiking trail in the Highlands of Iceland. getty
Landmannalaugar is perhaps the most celebrated destination, a wonderland of multicoloured rhyolite mountains where shades of red, yellow and green shift with the light.
Here, natural geothermal hot springs provide a welcome soak after a day's exploration, and the area marks the starting point of the Laugavegur trail, one of Iceland's most famous multi-day hikes.
Deep in the interior lies Askja, a vast volcanic caldera surrounded by a barren lava desert. At its heart sits Viti, a striking blue crater lake that steams invitingly in contrast to the stark black landscape.
Another highlight is Kerlingarfjöll, a geothermal mountain range where vivid mineral-rich slopes are threaded with steaming valleys and snow patches, creating a surreal palette that changes with the seasons.
Between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers, Hveravellir offers a rare highland oasis. The steaming hot spring field is steeped in history. Once a refuge for outlaws, it is now a peaceful stop for modern-day adventurers. Why Access Is Limited
The Icelandic highlands are criss-crossed by rough gravel tracks known as F-roads. These roads are unpaved, often riddled with potholes and frequently require crossing unbridged rivers.
It's not hard to see the volcanic origins of the vast Icelandic Highlands. getty
In winter, they are buried under snow. In spring, melting ice turns them into impassable mud and floods.
Each summer, Iceland's road authorities monitor conditions before declaring the F-roads open. In a warm, dry year, some routes may open in late June, but in colder years it can be mid-July before the interior is accessible. By early September, closures begin again as snow returns. Plan A Safe Trip To The Iceland Highlands
Visiting the Iceland Highlands requires preparation. The rough F-roads demand a high-clearance 4×4, and river crossings can be hazardous without experience, which is why many travellers opt for guided super jeep tours or limited-schedule highland buses.
From Reykjavik, it typically takes three to four hours to reach highland gateways such as Landmannalaugar or Hveravellir, making towns like Selfoss or Hella convenient overnight stops if you prefer to break up the journey.
The travel window is short, but conditions can still change quickly. Always check for openings and for weather alerts before setting out.
Accommodation is scarce, so book campsites, huts or lodges well in advance. Pack warm layers, waterproof gear, sturdy boots, and enough supplies to be self-sufficient, as cell coverage and fuel stations are rare in this remote wilderness.
For example, although Hveravellir offers accommodation and is one of the highlights of a highland road trip, the nearest gas station is more than 60 miles away. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To See The Best Of Iceland On A Budget By David Nikel Forbes Discover The Story Of New Nordic Cuisine At Norway's National Museum By David Nikel Forbes How To See The Best Of Iceland On A Cruise By David Nikel
