Exploring Iceland’s Highlands: 7 Must-Visit Locations for Summer 2026

Iceland's highlands are like something out of a dream – vast, untamed and absolutely breathtaking. But there's a catch. These landscapes are off-limits for most of the year, and it's only when summer arrives that the roads open, revealing some of the most unreal destinations on Earth. In this video, I'm taking you on a journey through my top 7 must-visit spots in the highlands of Iceland. So, buckle up, because you won't want to miss this one. Coming in at number seven is Þorsmörk. This area is located just north of Eyjafjallajökull and due west of Iceland's fourth largest glacier, Mýrdalsjökull. It is known primarily for its stunning hiking trail, Fimvörðuháls, which leads you up between these two massive glaciers passing by the volcanic craters formed in the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull and eventually takes you down towards Skógafoss. In fact, I used to guide this hike back when I first moved to Iceland, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of footage from back then. Having said that, the drive into this part of the highlands is also spectacular. I featured a lot of this in a previous episode where I visited a bunch of canyons and an outlet glacier on the road leading into Þorsmörk. These areas are all quite accessible with a regular rental 4x4, though the road does get progressively worse the further inland you go. Now, by continuing down this road and further into Þorsmörk, the road does get pretty gnarly and might not be for the faint of heart. The nearby river Krossá is notorious for swallowing up and washing away many unprepared tourists in their rental cars. So if you're interested in checking out the more remote regions of Þorsmörk, ensure you book a guided tour with people who know the area well and have modified vehicles capable of crossing this dangerous river. I'll put some links to local tour operators in the description below. At number 6 on my list is Bláfjallafoss. I featured this stunning location in a video on this channel where myself and some friends ventured out into the highlands to see the magnificent Mjölnirfell mountain. Following the F road called Úldefellsleið, Which leads you south towards the ring road. You will have the chance to drive directly above this waterfall crossing the river that feeds it. Definitely one of the more surreal moments for me and also one of the best photo opportunities. I will give an honourable mention to the mossy oasis that you can also find on your drive south towards Bláfjallafoss. The water that feeds the downstream waterfall also hydrates these vivid green mosses in the middle of this black sandy plain. Number five on the list is Langisandur. I visited this spot for the first time in 2024 and was left speechless by the incredible drive-in and the stunning vibrant blue waters of this ancient glacier-fed lake. This spot is quite remote and will take you quite far off one of the major F roads in the highlands but it's definitely worth it. This lake was formed many thousands of years ago by a sub-glacial eruption and is now currently being fed by glacial springs and streams Coming from the massive nearby Vatnajökull Glacier, this gives it some of the purest water on the island. It's also worth mentioning, there are a few hiking trails in the area. I have yet to do them myself, but I'm hoping to get back out there this summer. One final bit of important info, there is little to no phone reception out here, so if you do intend on visiting, make sure you are well prepared for the trip with food and a full tank of fuel. If you do encounter any problems out here, there is also a ranger station located very Very close to the lake's edge. But it's only staffed for a few hours every day during the summer months. Now, at number four on my list, we have the ever-famous Landmannalaugar. This destination is a hiker's dream, with a variety of trails leading you throughout the spectacular multicolored landscapes and to a few geothermal hotspots. You can even hike from here all the way to Þórsmörk and connect up with the Fimmvörðuháls trail. I've yet to complete this one myself, but I'm aiming to get back out there this summer, assuming we get some good weather and, well, not as much rain as we did last year. If hiking isn't your thing, then fear not as there are some other incredible locations along the drive into Landmannalaugar that I featured in previous episodes on the channel. We have Frosta, South of Water, Stuttur, Leoti Potler, Neusepottler and my favorite Black and Red Twin Craters, which I'm not too sure what they're called. So if you know, please leave a comment below. So if you're looking to get out here in the highlands this summer at your own pace, I would highly recommend you renting a car through my friends at Blue Car Rental. With a huge selection of 4x4s, you won't be short on choices when it comes to conquering the majestic highlands of Iceland. It also couldn't be easier to grab your car as they are located right by the international airport and have an online check-in as well as a keybox pickup. This means there is zero waiting time so you can get on the road faster than anywhere else And start enjoying your holiday right away. And as a bonus, all the viewers of my channel can get a 5% discount on their next booking with Blue Car Rental by clicking the link in the description below or in the pinned comment. Now, back to the list. Coming in at number three is Sigöldugljúfur, one of the most beautiful places in the highlands and also one of the hardest to pronounce. This canyon is also known as the Valley of Tears and has got to have some of the cleanest, bluest waters I have ever seen in Iceland. The footage you are watching here is not edited, this is just raw video from my drone. Interestingly enough, Sigöldugljúfur was not always a canyon. In fact, the water from the Tungnaá river used to fill this this canyon completely. Prior to the construction of the Sigöldu Hydroelectric Dam, the dam then changed the geography of the area and the flow rate of the river, leading to a dramatic decrease in water, which exposed this picturesque canyon. It was a tough decision to choose the number two on my list, as it is a very close second to my number one pick, but here it is, the Kerlingarfjöll area. Located close to the center of the island, between the two glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, I would have to say that Kerlingarfjöll is the closest you can get to being on another planet without leaving Earth. Formed approximately 10,000 years ago by a subglacial volcanic eruption, The Kjerringafjörður mountain range is still quite young, geologically speaking, and this is no more evident than in the nearby geothermal area known as Kværndalir. With countless steaming vents, bubbling mud, and multicolored rhyolite hillsides, this place truly has to be seen to be believed. I feel like this footage just doesn't do it justice. I will also mention that there are a number of hiking trails throughout the area, which can take a few days to complete. But don't stress, as it's possible to stay here at the newly built luxury hotel, as well as the neighbouring campsite. I will also give an honourable mention to Kvernavetlir, a geothermal oasis located a little over an hour north of Kjerringafjörður. This place hosts a campsite in addition to some rustic accommodation, as well as a small restaurant in the main building. The main attraction at this place has got to be the amazing natural hot tub situated right beside the campsite. And there are also some hiking trails around this area and a few oiling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. And finally, at number one, my top spot in the highlands of Iceland is... Mýlifell. My first drive out here was like something out of a movie. Starting as a shimmering mirage on the horizon, the green slopes of Mýlifell slowly came into focus as we drove across the black sand plains. I had to pull the car over about halfway there just to take it all in. While this location is certainly not as varied as the previous spot on my list, there is a completely different vibe out here. It almost feels like you're in a place that is not meant to be seen by human eyes. Not only that, but it's usually rather deserted, meaning you'll most likely be out here alone when you visit. During my last trip out there, I was fortunate with the weather, as it hadn't rained for a number of weeks, meaning the river levels were quite low and the sand plains weren't flooded. On the flip side, if it's a rainy summer, getting to Mýlifell can prove difficult if you're not in a bigger 4x4 like a Land Cruiser or Defender. As the Black Sand Plains can turn into a flood plain very quickly. So if you are planning to visit this area, make sure to check the forecast a few days before heading out there. Just like a lot of the other locations on this list, Mýlifell was also formed by a subglacial eruption only emerging from underneath the nearby ice cap roughly 10,000 years ago as the glaciers retreated. And if you are daring enough, it is possible to summit this mountain Well, it shouldn't take too long as it's only about 200 meters above the surrounding plains. At the top, however, you are almost 800 meters above sea level, which is why they call this place the Highlands. So, that about wraps up my top seven must-visit spots in the Highlands of Iceland. Let me know what you thought about it in the comments below. Also, if you have any recommendations on places in the Highlands that I should visit, please let me know, as I'm always up for an adventure here. Until then, I'll see you in the next video.