Iceland Expands Highland Adventure Tourism With F-Road Treks and Super-Jeeps

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 29, 2026 1:49 PM

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This is an important period for highland tourism in Iceland, whereby the availability of the F-roads enables tourists to have access to Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and Þórsmörk during the prime hiking summer season. Tourists take advantage of the few days that they can access the interior region through F-roads for a hike, either for several days or as day tours. During autumn, the conditions become more challenging for visiting the areas because of the bad weather, as well as the closure of the roads at that time. It is a crucial time for adventure tourism since the super-jeep trips give tourists access to the inaccessible areas.

Landmannalaugar Leads Highland Hiking

Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s best-known Highland destinations and forms a major starting point for trekking in the interior. The area is recognised for its colourful rhyolite mountains, geothermal features, lava fields and extensive hiking network.

The Laugavegur Trail connects Landmannalaugar with Þórsmörk and is among Iceland’s most prominent multi-day hiking routes. The trail passes through dramatically changing landscapes, including volcanic terrain, valleys, hot springs and high mountain areas.

For visitors, reaching Landmannalaugar is part of the adventure. The route involves Highland roads that are unsuitable for ordinary passenger cars, making four-wheel-drive vehicles and organised transport particularly important.

Day visitors can undertake shorter walks around the area, while experienced trekkers can use Landmannalaugar as the beginning of a longer journey towards Þórsmörk.

F-Roads Open the Interior to Adventure Travel

Iceland’s F-roads provide access to parts of the interior that are inaccessible to conventional vehicles. These routes are generally seasonal and can involve river crossings, rough surfaces and rapidly changing weather conditions.

For visitors using rental vehicles, the type of vehicle permitted on individual roads is an important consideration. Travellers need to confirm road conditions and vehicle requirements before attempting Highland routes.

Super-jeep excursions offer an alternative for visitors who want to reach remote destinations without driving themselves. Modified four-wheel-drive vehicles are designed for challenging terrain and can cross rough tracks and, where permitted and conditions allow, river crossings.

These excursions also provide access to areas that can be difficult to reach independently, with experienced drivers handling the demanding sections of the journey.

Þórsmörk Connects Hiking and Super-Jeeps

Þórsmörk, or Thórsmörk, is another major Highland destination and one of the principal endpoints of the Laugavegur Trail.

The area is surrounded by glaciers and mountains and contains valleys, rivers and hiking routes. Its varied terrain makes it suitable for both day hikes and multi-day trekking.

Access to Þórsmörk can be challenging because roads involve river crossings and difficult terrain. Super-jeep tours are therefore a popular option for visitors seeking a guided route into the valley.

For trekkers, Þórsmörk can serve as either the end of a Laugavegur journey or a base for shorter hikes. Visitors staying in the area can explore surrounding trails before returning to accommodation or mountain huts.

Kerlingarfjöll Adds Geothermal Mountain Landscapes

Kerlingarfjöll provides another major destination for Highland travel, located in Iceland’s interior between the country’s major glaciers.

The mountain range is known for colourful geothermal landscapes, steep ridges and hiking routes. The Hveradalir geothermal valley is among the area’s most recognisable attractions, with steaming ground and vividly coloured mountains creating a distinctive landscape.

Visitors can reach the region through Highland roads during the seasonal access period. Super-jeep and four-wheel-drive excursions provide an alternative for travellers who prefer organised transportation.

Hiking options range from shorter walks to more demanding routes across the mountains. Conditions can change quickly, so visitors need appropriate clothing and footwear even during the main summer season.

Laugavegur Remains a Major Trekking Route

The Laugavegur Trail remains one of the central attractions for Iceland’s hiking tourism. The route connects two highly distinctive Highland environments and is commonly completed over several days.

Trekkers encounter volcanic landscapes, geothermal areas, rivers and changing vegetation as they move between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk.

The route requires advance planning because accommodation capacity in mountain huts is limited and weather can affect walking conditions. Travellers camping along the route must also follow local rules and prepare for strong winds, rain and rapidly changing temperatures.

For visitors with limited time, guided sections or shorter day hikes can provide access to parts of the landscape without completing the entire trail.

Super-Jeeps Provide Premium Highland Access

High-end Super Jeep excursions are developing as an important part of Iceland’s specialist adventure tourism market. These tours can combine transportation, sightseeing and guided interpretation, allowing visitors to reach difficult Highland destinations within a single day.

Private and small-group excursions can be tailored around locations such as Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk and other remote areas. Some operators also offer multi-day itineraries combining Highland exploration with accommodation and hiking.

For travellers seeking comfort and convenience, a Super Jeep removes the need to navigate unfamiliar F-roads while providing access to areas beyond the reach of conventional sightseeing buses.

The vehicles also allow operators to adjust routes according to weather and road conditions, although access remains subject to official road restrictions.

Late Summer Creates a Limited Travel Window

Iceland’s Highland travel season is short compared with the country’s wider tourism calendar. Hiking is generally concentrated between late spring and early autumn, while some Highland routes can become inaccessible as snow and winter conditions return.

Autumn weather can arrive rapidly at higher elevations, and trails may become more difficult as temperatures fall and daylight hours shorten. For this reason, late summer provides an important window for visitors planning multi-day Highland adventures.

The changing season also creates different visual conditions, with autumn colours beginning to appear in some valleys while snow can return to higher mountain areas.

Planning Is Essential for Highland Journeys

Travellers heading into Iceland’s interior need to check current road and trail conditions before departure. F-roads can close temporarily because of weather, river levels or surface conditions, even during the normal summer access period.

Visitors driving themselves should use an appropriate four-wheel-drive vehicle and understand the restrictions associated with their chosen route. River crossings should never be attempted without confirming that the crossing is safe and permitted.

Hikers should also carry suitable waterproof clothing, navigation equipment, food and emergency supplies. Mobile coverage can be limited in remote areas, making preparation particularly important.

Iceland’s Highland Tourism Builds Around Adventure

Opening F-roads in Iceland’s Highlands in summer makes this time perfect for a lot of adventure tourists to come and explore the interior of the island. Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and Þórsmörk are gaining popularity among hikers interested in hiking in mountains, geothermal landscapes and treks, while driving by Super Jeeps makes it possible to travel even to the most remote parts of the Highlands. One more reason to visit the Highlands is trekking, for which the Laugavegur Trail connecting Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk is gaining popularity among trekkers; it offers diverse landscapes that can be found there. It is also possible to offer a separate Highlands experience in Kerlingarfjöll, where hikers will find colorful mountains and geothermal valleys to explore. Timing is very important when it comes to visiting the Highlands because the interior of Iceland is open to travellers only in a short summer period, unlike its coast, and travellers wishing to hike or to drive by F-roads had better do it in summer before the end of this period.