THE INTERIOR
It is a vast, barren and remote place – true wilderness with practically no services, accommodation, gas stations or bridges, and no guarantees if things go wrong.
Historically the routes were used as summer shortcuts between north and south, places with outlaws to be traversed as quickly as possible. Some outlaws fled here and some gained legendary status including the superhuman Grettir, an Icelandic Robin Hood figure.
Routes are only open to high-clearance 4WDs as river crossings are required. Routes are open anytime from mid-June to early July and usually close again in September. Full details are available on www.vegagerdin.is. Summertime 4WD buses serve the Kjölur and Sprengisandur routes. Spartan mountain huts are run by Ferđafélag Islands (www.fi.is) but book in advance.
1. KJÖLUR ROUTE (Rte F35). Between Reykjavik and Akureyri, this is a favourite as it is more hospitable and is possible, but not recommended, to drive with a 2WD as there are no river crossings. Kjölur’s main attractions are:
Hveravellir. A geothermal area of fumaroles and multicoloured hot pools at the northern end of the pass. A campground and 2 hiker huts are here.
Kerlingarfjöll. A mountain range 10 km off F35 on F347 with superb hiking. The Kerlingarfjöll Highland Centre has huts, houses, huts and meals.
Buses travel the route daily in both directions taking 10½ hours (www.sba.is).
2. SPRENGISANDUR ROUTE (Rte F26). Long and desolate, it offers great views of Vatnajökull, Tungnafellsjökull and Hofsjökull icecaps.
Aldeymarfoss is a photogenic waterfall as it topples over basalt columns.
Nýidalur. Campsite, two huts and hiking.
Reykjavik Excursions operates two scheduled services 1. Landmannalaugar to Mývatn (10 hours, 3x a week) and 2. Reykajavik to Mývatn (11½ hours, 3x a week)
3. ÖSKJULEŌ (ASKJA ROUTE). Access from Road F88 that leaves the Ring Road 32kms east of Mývatn.
Herđubreiđ (1682m). Iceland’s most distinctive mountain is described as a birthday cake of lampshades and called the ‘Queen of the Mountains. The track around it makes a nice day hike from the Herđubreiđarlindir Nature Reserve, a grassy oasis created by springs flowing from beneath the lava. The Thorsteinsskáli hut is a comfy lodge with 30 beds, showers and kitchen and a campsite.
Askja. This immense 50 km2 caldera was created by a colossal explosion in 1875. Öskjuvatn is a sapphire-blue lake, the second deepest lake in Iceland at 220m.
Viti, Near the NE corner, is a tepid pool with 25°, milky blue water ideal for a soak.
Dreki huts at Drekagil are 8kms away with accommodations for 60 people.
Many super jeep tours run to Askja primarily from Mývatn.