Iceland’s Highlands: Choose Your Route and Approach
The Highlands are a set of different journeys. A stop at Hveravellir on Route 35, a Landmannalaugar day walk and a transfer into Þórsmörk have different roads, facilities and booking requirements. Choose the destination and approach together before deciding whether to drive.
Compare the approach, not just the destination
| Destination | Decision to make before leaving | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Landmannalaugar | Choose the approach and check parking reservations. P1 is before the final two river crossings on F224 and has a pedestrian bridge onward. | Access and parking |
| Þórsmörk | Choose your base and transfer. Húsadalur, Langidalur and Básar are not interchangeable arrival points. | Base and transfer choices |
| Hveravellir | Check Route 35 and the destination’s service hours. Confirm transport directly; do not assume a scheduled public bus. | Road, food and accommodation |
| Lakagígar | Check F206 and F207, including unbridged rivers. A crater walk begins after a substantial road journey. | Laki approach and walking routes |
| Laugavegur | Reserve each overnight stop and both trailhead transfers before committing to the walking itinerary. | Hut and camping plan |
Three checks before a self-drive trip
- Read the current status of every approach road on Umferðin. A navigation app’s route is not confirmation that a road is open.
- Get the rental provider’s approval for that route and vehicle. Read the actual exclusions for water, underbody, gravel and recovery costs; an insurance package name does not establish coverage.
- Ask the destination or ranger about local conditions and the last suitable turnaround. Keep an alternative that does not depend on making an uncertain river crossing.
SafeTravel’s highland guidance stresses that conditions change quickly and different F-roads require different vehicles. If you are unsure about a river, turn around. Do not enter the water on foot merely to prove a car can cross. Stay on permitted roads; driving a rough marked road and driving off-road are different things.
Plan food and overnight stops by place
The interior is not devoid of services. Hveravellir lists a restaurant, camping, sleeping-bag accommodation and rooms. That is a reason to confirm a specific stop, not to expect a shop around the next bend. Carry food and water for your journey and a delay, and check fuel before entering the interior.
For a multi-day walk, separate the trail distance from the transport problem. FÍ’s Laugavegur huts and campsites require reservations. Book the final night and the return bus together so that a late finish does not leave you without onward transport.
September 2026 planning notes
Landmannalaugar’s published parking reservation season runs through September 13, 2026, for arrivals between 09:00 and 16:00; the parking charge also applies outside that reservation window. Check the current parking instructions.
As checked on September 10, SafeTravel advises against hiking Fimmvörðuháls while difficult trail conditions persist. If you intended to continue from Þórsmörk to Skógar, read the current route note and arrange a different onward journey if the warning remains in force.
Explore other highland landscapes
The guides to Sigöldugljúfur, Hekla and Mælifell describe different landscapes. Use their location and access notes to decide whether they fit the same trip; proximity on a map does not guarantee a practical road connection.
Planning help
Questions before you go
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
When are the highlands open?
There is no single opening date. Check your exact approach on Umferðin and ask the destination about access. A summer booking does not establish that a road is passable; autumn conditions can change a plan at short notice.
Do I need a 4x4 for the highlands?
Confirm the named road and vehicle with your rental provider before booking. SafeTravel stresses that not every four-wheel-drive vehicle suits every F-road. A model name alone is not enough to judge an unbridged river or a rough road.
Should I drive across a river if it looks shallow?
Do not use a knee-height rule or another car’s crossing as permission to proceed. River depth and current change. If unsure, turn around and use a different approach or an operated transfer.
Are there places to eat and stay in the highlands?
Yes, at specific destinations. Hveravellir advertises a restaurant, camping, sleeping-bag accommodation and rooms. Check dates and opening hours directly and carry provisions for the journey between services.
Do I need to book the Laugavegur huts or campsites?
FÍ requires advance reservations for both huts and campsites on the Laugavegur route. Arrange trailhead transport and overnight stops together, and check the operator’s current tariffs rather than using an old per-night price.
Can I visit Þórsmörk without crossing Krossá in my rental car?
Yes. Choose an operated bus or transfer and confirm which Þórsmörk base it serves. For Volcano Huts, check the Brú transfer option and Húsadalur arrival details. The destination’s guidance says not to drive across Krossá yourself.
Explore Iceland’s hiking routes
Country reference: Iceland statistics.