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The Highland of Iceland is an uninhabited area that covers most of the center. the interior or backland of Iceland. It is often mistakenly called Highlands like the Scottish Highlands. The Highland is situated above 300–400 meters (1000–1300 feet) and is mostly uninhabitable. The soil is mostly volcanic ash, and the terrain consists of basalt mountains and lava fields, and it is covered with snow from October until the beginning of June. This results largely in a surface of grey, black, or brown earth, lava, and volcanic ash. However, a few oasis-like areas such as Herðubreiðarlindir and Þórsmörk are found in the Highland. The Highland has many natural wonders and hiking trails.

Natural wonders in the Highland

Some of the most interesting natural features of Iceland are found in the Highland, including Landmannalaugar, Torfajökull, Eldgjá, Þórsmörk, Herðubreið, Askja, Hveradalir, Lakagígar, the Fagrifoss waterfall, and many other beautiful places. Although highly interesting, most of the places are difficult to visit and are accessible only in summer. Most of the places in the Highland require a robust 4X4 vehicle because the roads are dirt roads and F-roads. Careful planning is recommended for any planned travel in the Highland; traveling in the Highland is always different, an adventure, and highly interesting.

Glaciers in the Highland

Most of the notable glaciers in Iceland, such as Vatnajökull, Langjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Hofsjökull, are also part of the Icelandic Highland. All of the glaciers also have outlet glaciers with separate names, for instance Breiðamerkurjökull or Tungnafellsjökull. Many glaciers sit on the top of a volcano and some of them erupt regularly, like the Bárðabunga volcano and glacier. The most famous of these in recent times is Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010. In the sandy Highland, vegetation is only found on the edges of the glaciers and by the rivers and creeks that flow through the Highland. There is a pervasive danger of glacial outburst floods, or "glacier runs," at times of eruptions and volcanic activity.

Hiking in the Highland

There are several hiking trails in the Highland in Iceland. One of the most famous of these is the 54 km Laugavegur hiking trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk. It takes four to five weeks to hike and takes hikers through some of the most interesting and beautiful landscapes in Iceland. Other interesting hikes are Fimmvörðuháls and old Kjalvegur. Some trails cross glaciers and rivers. The same rule applies to hiking as driving in the highland: if you are interested you should contact a local travel company that specialises in Highland tours for your safety.

Highland roads or F-Roads

The Highland can be crossed only during the Icelandic summer. For the rest of the year, the highland roads are closed, and off-road driving is forbidden entirely in Iceland where there is no snow, including the Highland, to protect the environment.

The best-known highland roads are Kaldidalur, Kjölur, Kjalvegur, Fjallabak syðri, Fjallabak nyrðri, Lakavegur, Kverkfjöll, and Sprengisandur. Most highland roads require four-wheel drive vehicles because it is necessary to cross rivers. However, the Kjölur route can be traversed easily in an ordinary car and is therefore one of the more popular highland roads.

See also

• Volcanism of Iceland
• Vatnajökull National Park
• Information about the Highland in Iceland

References

1. "Mountain Roads" (PDF). Environment Agency of Iceland. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2012.

• Hálendið í Náttúru Íslands (The Highland in Iceland)

External links

Media related to Highland of Iceland at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Routes through the interior highlands of Iceland
Emstruleið (F261) Eyjafjarðarleið (F821) Fjallabaksleið nyrðri (F208) Fjallabaksleið syðri (F210) Kaldidalsvegur/Kaldidalur (550) Kjalvegur (F35) Kverkfjalaleið (F902) Lakagígar (F206) Landmannaleið (F225) Öskjuleið (F88) Öskjuvatnsvegur (F894) Skagafjarðarleið (F752) Sprengisandsleið (F26) Uxahryggjavegur (52) Vesturdalur/Hljóðaklettar (F862)

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