Discover Iceland’s Majestic Highlands in an Action-Packed Half-Day Tour!
Tour Operator: Buggy Iceland ehf.
Departure: The adventure begins at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, heading east towards Hrauneyjarlón and passing through Bjallavað, Hnausapoll, and Frostastaðavatn before reaching our first major stop—Landmannalaugar. This geothermal wonderland, known for its steaming hot springs and vibrant rhyolite mountains, offers a perfect break to soak in the scenery.
🌋 Eldgjá – The World's Largest Volcanic Canyon: After leaving Landmannalaugar, we’ll steer away from the crowds and travel past Kýlingarvatn, Kirkjufell, and Réttarhnjúk, making our next stop at Eldgjá—a massive volcanic fissure that erupted in 934 AD. The eruption lasted four years, releasing 10 cubic kilometers of magma and reshaping the landscape.
Glaciers, Volcanic Sands & Historic Huts: Continuing south, we approach the northeastern side of Mýrdalsjökull, crossing the Syðri Ófæra river before reaching Álftavötn, home to an old mountain hut once used by sheep farmers during seasonal herding.
Mælifell – The Emerald Pyramid: Next, we traverse Hólmsá, Mælifellssandur, and reach the stunning Mælifell, a moss-covered volcanic cone rising from black desert sands, framed by the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. This area offers one of the most surreal and photogenic landscapes in Iceland, where green moss, black sand, and icy glaciers create a striking contrast.
Katla – The Sleeping Giant: Hidden beneath Mýrdalsjökull, Katla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, with over 20 documented major eruptions since 2920 BC. Although dormant since 1918, it shares the same volcanic system as Eldgjá, despite being 41 km apart.
Lunch with a View: Around this point, we take a break for 🍽 lunch amidst the highland wilderness, surrounded by rugged lava fields such as Nýjahraun, just west of Krakatindur.
Final Stretch & Return: After Mælifell, we speed westward across 14 km of black volcanic sand, cross Bláfjallakvísl, and pass through Hvanngil, Álftavatn, Laufafell, Reykjadalir, Pokahryggir, and Dómadalur, before looping back via Sigölduvegur Gamli to return to Hrauneyjar Highland Center.
✅ Action-packed adventure with river crossings, sandy trails, and highland roads
✅ Incredible variety of landscapes – glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and black sand deserts
✅ Off-the-beaten-path exploration with fewer crowds
✅ A chance to see FIVE glaciers on a clear day
Book now and experience one of the most thrilling and scenic off-road tours in Iceland!
