Sudurland: Highlands, Waterfalls and History

Discover Sudurland through its landscapes and history: protected areas and hiking trails shape nature experiences in the southern highlands, while waterfalls, geothermal features and historic sites offer other highlights. You can plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Landscapes and protected areas

The Fjallabak Nature Reserve was established in 1979. Landmannalaugar lies within the reserve and is known for its colorful rhyolite mountains and geothermal hot springs. Þórsmörk is a nature reserve between glaciers, rivers and rugged mountains in the southern highlands. The landscapes differ distinctly: Landmannalaugar combines colorful rhyolite mountains with hot springs, while Þórsmörk is shaped by its combination of glaciers, rivers and mountains.

Vatnajökull National Park is one of two national parks in Sudurland. Iceland has three national parks in total. This places the region within a larger natural environment without equating the distinctive features of its individual protected areas.

Hiking trails and nature experiences

Landmannalaugar has an extensive network of hiking trails, ranging from short loop walks to multi-day treks. It is also the starting point for the Laugavegur hiking trail. The range of routes can help with time planning: a short loop walk and a multi-day trek require very different time commitments.

Þórsmörk also offers well-marked trails leading to viewpoints, canyons and river crossings. Trail conditions can vary, so check them before setting out on a hike. There is a practical difference when choosing between the hiking areas: Landmannalaugar offers everything from short loop walks to multi-day treks, while Þórsmörk features specific trail destinations within the landscape.

At Seljalandsfoss, a footpath leads behind the waterfall. Local access conditions can vary, so it is advisable to check them before visiting. In the Geysir geothermal area, the geyser Strokkur erupts every few minutes. A path behind a waterfall and a regularly recurring geothermal event offer two different ways to experience the region’s nature.

Archaeology and Icelandic history

The Þjórsárdalur valley is home to the remarkably well-preserved ruins of Stöng, a Viking Age longhouse. They were likely buried by the 1104 eruption of Hekla. The reconstructed farm, Þjóðveldisbærinn, offers insights into medieval Icelandic life. Together, the ruins and the reconstruction provide two ways to explore the valley’s history: archaeological remains and a vivid portrayal of life in the Middle Ages.

A more recent relic is the aircraft wreck at Sólheimasandur, which tourists visit. Compared with Stöng, it dates closer to the present: the longhouse belongs to the Viking Age, while the wreck is a more recent relic.

Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk between tectonic plates and explore the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament. Iceland’s Alþing assembly met annually at Þingvellir from around 930 CE until 1798. Þingvellir was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for its cultural value. Geology, parliamentary history and World Heritage status represent different aspects of the same place.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ólafsvellir, Skeiðflötur, Vestmannaeyjabær, Hruni, Ásólfsskáli, Grafarkirkja, Keldur, Búðarhólshverfi, Háfur, Sólheimar, Stóri Núpur, Úlfljótsvatn, Grimsnes, Þykkvibær, Blaskogabyggd, Selfoss, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Hella, Vestmannaeyjar, Hveragerdi, Flúdir, Vík Í Mýrdal, Laugarvatn, Laugarás, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri, Kálfafell, Hvolsvöllur, Skálholt, Villingaholt

For the main travel overview: Iceland.