Why Honeymoon in the Highlands
The Highlands feel like another planet. Colors shift from black lava to pink rhyolite to green moss within one view. Steam rises from the ground and glaciers sit on the horizon.
They are also quiet. Even in peak summer, the interior holds a fraction of the visitors on the south coast and nights are silent.
For couples, the shared effort is part of the appeal. Fording a river in a 4x4, hiking a ridge together and soaking in a hot spring at the end of the day make strong memories.
The arrival of better lodging has changed things too. Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll offers hotel rooms, suites and baths, so you can have wilderness by day and a comfortable bed at night.
When to Go
Timing is everything. Most mountain roads, known as F-roads, open from about late June or early July and close again in September, depending on snow and conditions. Exact dates change each year.
- July and August: the main season. Roads are open, trails are mostly snow-free and the midnight sun gives long hiking days. Temperatures can still drop near freezing at night.
- Late June and September: possible, but some roads may be closed or rough and weather turns fast.
- October to May: most of the interior is closed to regular vehicles. Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll stays open in winter, reached by 4x4 super jeep transfer when the road closes.
Check road status and weather daily on the official Icelandic sites before heading in.
Where to Stay
Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll is the most comfortable choice in the interior. It has hotel rooms and suites, a rustic second hotel with simpler rooms, private lodges, A-frame huts in summer and the Highland Baths, geothermal pools with mountain views.
At Landmannalaugar, the Iceland Touring Association runs a mountain hut with dormitory bunks, plus a campsite. It is basic and busy in summer. Many couples visit on a day trip from a hotel on the edge of the Highlands instead, such as in the Hella or Þjórsárdalur area.
Rates at Highland Base run roughly from a few hundred dollars a night for hotel rooms, more for suites and lodges. Huts are far cheaper. These figures are approximate, so check current prices and book early for July and August.
Romantic Things to Do
- Hot spring at Landmannalaugar: a warm stream flows into a natural pool near the hut, a favorite soak after a hike.
- Brennisteinsalda: hike through the Laugahraun lava field to this multicolored peak, sometimes called Sulphur Wave.
- Hveradalir: walk boardwalks and trails through steaming, multicolored geothermal valleys in Kerlingarfjöll.
- Highland Baths: end the day in geothermal pools with views over the mountains.
- Laugavegur trail: for fit couples, a multi-day hike of about 34 miles from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, staying in huts along the way.
- Hveravellir: stop at the geothermal area on the Kjölur road for a soak in its hot pool.
- Winter adventures: from Highland Base, snowmobile, buggy or skiing tours are offered in season.
Getting There and Around
Fly from the US to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), which has nonstop service from a range of US cities. Check current schedules, since some routes are seasonal.
The Highlands are reached on F-roads, which by law require a 4x4. Many involve unbridged river crossings that can be dangerous after rain or warm days. Rental insurance often excludes water damage, so read the terms carefully.
Landmannalaugar is about three to four hours from Reykjavík. Kerlingarfjöll is reached via the Kjölur road, which starts near Gullfoss, in roughly three and a half hours from Reykjavík. Highland buses run in summer to Landmannalaugar and super jeep tours from Reykjavík are an option if you prefer not to drive. Highland Base arranges transfers too.
Food and Drink
Food in the Highlands is limited, so planning matters. Highland Base has a restaurant serving hearty Icelandic dishes such as lamb, fish and soups, plus a waffle buffet that has become a local favorite.
At Landmannalaugar, a small seasonal shop sells basics, but most visitors bring their own food. Pack picnics, snacks and plenty of water.
As everywhere in Iceland, eating out is expensive. Stock up in larger towns such as Selfoss or Hella before driving in. A flask of hot coffee or cocoa is welcome on cold mornings.
Most hut users cook in shared kitchens. If you prefer not to cook, base yourselves at Highland Base or a lodge on the edge of the interior.
Honeymoon Tips
- Book your 4x4, huts and Highland Base rooms early. Summer capacity is small.
- Dress for winter even in July: thermal layers, a warm hat, gloves and a waterproof shell for both of you.
- Never cross a river if you are unsure. Wait, watch another vehicle or turn back.
- Leave a travel plan with SafeTravel and carry a charged phone. Coverage can be patchy.
- Stay on marked trails. Geothermal ground can be dangerously hot and thin.
- Landmannalaugar has a summer parking reservation system for daytime visits. Check the rules before driving in.
