Iceland - 16 - Highlands 2

13 August 2025

We spent the entire day driving through the Highlands. I counted 30 stream crossings during our travels!

Eldgjá

First stop was Eldgjá - a volcanic fissure that is at least 50 km long (some geologists take the fissure all the way to the Katla volcano). This fissure erupted in 934, after the first settlement of Iceland. The eruption probably lasted for several years and caused world-wide weather disruptions. We first stopped at a viewpoint at the top of the fissure.

Ófærufoss as seen from the top of Eldgjá.

After viewing from the top, we returned to the main Eldgjá parking lot and walked up the fissure about 2 km to Ófærufoss.

Ófærufoss as seen from the fissure floor.

Looking down the fissure from the base of Ófærufoss.

On the way to Landmannalaugar

Typical Highlands landscape.

First view of the change from basalt to rhyolite as we got closer to Landmannalaugar

Small volcanic cones reflected in a small lake near Landmannalaugar.

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar has a basaltic lava flow that reaches rhyolite mountains - a very nice contrast in landscapes. Steam rises from geothermal areas, and there is a small geothermal stream near the parking lot that allows bathing.

Talking "trolls" in the lava flow.

Panoramic view of Landmannalaugar.

This appears to be an old spring house near the parking lot and geothermally heated stream at Landsmannalaugar. Moss, bacteria, and minerals make for a colorful site.