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{{Short description|Geographical area of Iceland}} |
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The '''Highlands of Iceland''' cover most of the interior of ]. They are situated above 400-500 metres and are mostly uninhabitable, because the water coming down as rain or snow does not remain this high in the ground. It is therefore mostly a ] of grey, black or brown earth, ] and ]. A few ]-like areas, such as '']'' near ], are found only in proximity to rivers. |
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{{multiple issues|{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}{{Tone|date=May 2023}}}} |
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] dominates the central Highland, through which the ] road winds its way]] |
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The '''Highland''' (]: ''Hálendið)'' or The Central Highland<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bishop |first1=Michaël Virgil |last2=Ólafsdóttir |first2=Rannveig |last3=Árnason |first3=Þorvarður |date=February 2022 |title=Tourism, Recreation and Wilderness: Public Perceptions of Conservation and Access in the Central Highland of Iceland |journal=Land |language=en |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=242 |doi=10.3390/land11020242 |issn=2073-445X |doi-access=free }}</ref> is an area that comprises much of the interior land of ]. The Highland is situated above 300–400 meters (1000–1300 feet) and is mostly uninhabitable. The soil is primarily ], and the terrain consists of ] mountains and ]s. Snow covers the Highland from October until the beginning of June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather and climate in Iceland |url=https://www.visiticeland.com/article/weather-and-climate/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.visiticeland.com}}</ref> A few ]-like areas, such as ] and ], are also found in the Highland. The area has many notable natural features and hiking trails.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Visit Iceland - Official Tourist Info for Iceland |url=https://www.visiticeland.com/geography-of-iceland/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.visiticeland.com}}</ref> |
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Icelanders categorise the Highlands as: |
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*"Háls", meaning a broad mountain ridge between valleys, such as the one near Langavatn north of ]; or |
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*"Heiði", meaning the real highlands, such as those alongside the ] road. |
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== Natural features in the Highland == |
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Most of the numerous ]s, such as ], ] and ], are also part of the Icelandic Highlands. Vegetation is only found on the shores of the glacier rivers. There is also the danger of ]s. |
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The Highland encompasses various geological features, including ], ], ], ], ], ], Hveradalir, ], and the ] waterfall. Sites in the Highland are difficult to access and may be accessible only during the summer months. Most sites require ] or ]s for access due to the unpaved dirt roads. ] provides some of the most interesting vista points to visit in the Icelandic Highland, for instance this point located at the northwest part of the colorful caldera ], showing characteristic rhyolite lava fields and mountains ]] |
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== Glaciers and volcanoes in the Highland == |
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Some of the most interesting parts of Iceland with volcanic activity are to be found in the Highlands, such as ] and the region around ] and ]. |
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The largest ]s in the Highland are ], ], ], ], and ], with multiple outlet glaciers. Many glaciers occur atop ], some of which erupt regularly, such as the ] volcano.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2014 Holuhraun eruption |url=https://www.visiticeland.com/article/2014-holuhraun-eruption/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.visiticeland.com}}</ref> The most famous of these volcanoes in recent times is ], which ]. In the sandy Highland, vegetation is found only at the edges of glaciers and near rivers and streams. There is a pervasive danger of glacial ]s, or "glacier runs," at times of eruptions and volcanic activity. The radiating heat causes the underside of glaciers to melt, creating large pockets of water that accumulate until they burst. This phenomenon is unique to Iceland and is internationally known by the Icelandic term ].<ref name=":0" /> |
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The Highlands can only be crossed during the Icelandic summer (June to August). For the rest of the year the highland roads are closed. The best known highland roads are ], ] and ]. Most highland roads require ] vehicles, because it is necessary to ford rivers. However, the Kjölur route can easily be traversed in an ordinary sedan and is therefore one of the more popular highland roads. Off-road driving ("road" in this context meaning tracks that are already present) is forbidden in the Highlands when they are free of snow, to protect the vegetation. |
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== Recreation in the Highland== |
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==See also== |
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There are several hiking trails in the Highland. A popular route is the 54 km ] hiking trail from ] to ]. Other notable hikes are ] and old ]. |
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== External links == |
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== Highland roads or F-Roads== |
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The Highland can be crossed only during the Icelandic summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vegagerdin.is/media/umferd-og-faerd/Opnun_fjallvega_en_2014.pdf|title=Mountain Roads|language=en|publisher=Environment Agency of Iceland|date=2014|access-date=26 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421223743/http://www.vegagerdin.is/media/umferd-og-faerd/Opnun_fjallvega_en_2014.pdf|archive-date=21 April 2015}}</ref> For the rest of the year, Highland roads are closed. Driving off-road is forbidden,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Driving safely in Iceland |url=http://www.road.is/travel-info/driving-safely-in-iceland/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration |language=en}}</ref> to protect both drivers and environmental features. |
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The best-known Highland roads are ], ], ], Fjallabak syðri, Fjallabak nyrðri, Lakavegur, ], and ]. Most Highland roads require ] vehicles, which also assist in crossing rivers. However, the Kjölur route can be traversed easily in an ordinary car and is therefore one of the more popular Highland roads. |
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* (English and Icelandic) |
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== See also == |
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] |
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* ] |
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* ] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* (The Highland in Iceland) |
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== External links == |
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{{Wikivoyage|Interior (Iceland)}} |
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{{Commons category-inline|Highland of Iceland}} |
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{{Interior routes of Iceland}} |
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{{Iceland topics}} |
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The Highland can be crossed only during the Icelandic summer. For the rest of the year, Highland roads are closed. Driving off-road is forbidden, to protect both drivers and environmental features.
Media related to Highland of Iceland at Wikimedia Commons
