Northeastern Region

Viewpoints and alpine huts in Northeastern Region

This collection features essential stop-offs within the Vatnajökull National Park and the remote Icelandic Highlands. It highlights the powerful waterfalls of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, including Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss, alongside volcanic landmarks like the Krafla-Viti crater. The list also details high-altitude mountain huts and emergency shelters, such as Dreki and Þorsteinsskáli, which provide vital accommodation and safety for hikers traversing the rugged Sprengisandur and Ódáðahraun desert routes.

Viewpoints and Alpine Huts — Map

Zairon / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Dettifoss

A waterfall with a height of 44 meters and width of 100 meters, known for its powerful water flow and scenic natural surroundings.

Ralph Wein / CC-BY-SA

B

Krafla-Viti Crater

Explosive crater formed during the 1724 Mývatnseldar eruption, now containing a permanent turquoise geothermal lake.

C

View Point

Coastal observation point on the Melrakkaslétta peninsula, offering views of the North Atlantic and seasonal puffin colonies.

D

Dettifoss

Viewpoint on the western bank of the river, providing a full-width perspective of the 44-meter-high waterfall.

E

Selfoss

Broad, horseshoe-shaped waterfall upstream from Dettifoss, falling 11 meters over a series of basalt columns.

F

Hafragilsfoss

Vantage point overlooking the 27-meter-high falls and the surrounding steep-walled Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

G

Selfoss

River-level viewpoint offering a close-up look at the wide basalt tiers of the waterfall.

H

Selfoss

Scenic lookout point focusing on the upper cascades of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

I

Hafragilsfoss

Elevated viewpoint providing a panoramic sight of the glacial river cutting through the volcanic canyon.

Tordai Agnes / CC-BY-SA

J

Fotarklappir

Lookout point in the northern coastal region.

K

Hafragilsfoss

Lower canyon viewpoint offering a direct perspective of the waterfall’s impact zone.

L

Holuhraun Lava field

Extensive basalt lava field formed by the 2014-2015 Bárðarbunga fissure eruption.

M

Klappir

Scenic lookout over the rugged volcanic landscape of the northern Vatnajökull National Park.

N

Utsynisstaður

Accessible viewpoint providing vistas of the glacial river and the surrounding highland desert.

O

Upptyppingar

Viewpoint overlooking the Upptyppingar volcanic peaks near the entrance to the Askja highland route.

P

Þorsteinsskáli

Mountain hut in the Herðubreiðarlindir oasis, serving as a base for hikers near the Herðubreið tuya volcano.

Q

Laugafell

Highland hut complex featuring a natural geothermal pool, located on the route between the north and south coasts.

R

Nyidalur

Strategic mountain station on the Sprengisandur highland road, offering shelter near the Tungnafellsjökull glacier.

S

Þorsteinsskáli

Mountain hut providing sleeping bag accommodation and water in the Herðubreiðarlindir nature reserve.

T

Laugafell

Geothermal highland base with multiple huts and a warm bathing pool.

U

Bergland

Remote mountain hut in the northern highlands, providing basic shelter for cross-country hikers.

V

Keflavík

Remote hut on the northern coast of the Melrakkaslétta peninsula.

W

Dreki

Mountain station at the base of the Dyngjufjöll mountains, providing access to the Drekagil canyon and Askja.

X

Drekaskáli

Highland hut offering sleeping bag accommodation and basic facilities for visitors exploring the Askja caldera.

Y

Bræðrafell

Small, remote mountain hut built on a lava ridge at the foot of the Dyngjufjöll mountains.

Z

Bræðrafell

Accessible mountain hut serving hikers crossing the Ódáðahraun, Iceland's largest lava field.

Hliðarhagi

Basic highland hut providing shelter in the remote northeastern interior.

Barkárdal

Mountain hut in the Barkárdalur valley, used for treks across the Tröllaskagi peninsula.

Gæsavatnaskáli

Remote hut on the Gæsavatnaleið trail, located between the Vatnajökull glacier and the Tungnafellsjökull mountains.

Réttarkot

Historical mountain hut providing basic shelter in the northern highland interior.

Dyngjufell

Mountain hut in the Dyngjufalladalur valley, positioned on the hiking trail between Askja and Lake Mývatn.

Kistufell(Rettungshuette)

Emergency rescue shelter situated at high altitude on the northern edge of the Vatnajökull ice cap.

Þeistareykir Mountain Hut

Modern mountain hut in a geothermal area, serving as a base for visiting the Þeistareykir volcanic fissures.

Botni

Accessible mountain hut in the Suðurárbotnar area, managed by Ferðafélag Akureyrar.

Tungnahrygg

High-altitude mountain hut located in the Tröllaskagi peninsula mountains.

Látur

Coastal mountain hut on the Eyjafjörður fjord, accessible via hiking trails from Akureyri or by sea.

Gil

Remote hiking hut located in the mountainous Tröllaskagi region.

Lambi

Paid wilderness hut on the Glerárdalur trail, located at the foot of Mt. Kerling.

Stóravarða

Stone shelter used by hikers in the northern mountain regions.

Heilagsdalur

Basic mountain hut providing shelter in the Heilagsdalur valley.

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