All regions / aurora forecastHighlands tonight
The darkest skies in Iceland — and the most demanding access. Highland roads (F-roads) are closed November through April. Aurora hunting here is a summer-only, 4WD-required expedition.
Where to watch in Highlands
Landmannalaugar (summer)
Rhyolite mountains, geothermal hot springs, and almost zero light pollution. Summer aurora at midnight sun twilight — the sky never fully darkens but Kp 5+ is still visible.
3h from Reykjavík via F208
F-road, 4WD MANDATORY, river crossings. Open late June–early September only.Askja caldera area (summer)
One of Iceland's most remote destinations — a 3-hour F-road drive from the ring road. Clear sky in every direction, zero neighbours. The caldera lake is otherworldly under aurora.
5h from Akureyri via F88F-road, 4WD mandatory, guide recommended, no servicesÞórsmörk valley (summer)
Three glaciers, a river delta, and no light pollution. One of the most dramatic settings in Iceland for aurora photography.
2h from Reykjavík via F249/F2614WD mandatory, river crossings, check water levels before drivingHow to get there
Tips for this region
F-roads are CLOSED in winter. Do not attempt them between November and late June. Fines apply for driving on closed roads.
Summer aurora in the highlands means minimal darkness — the sky never fully darkens June/July. Target late August to September for the best combination of access + darkness.
Always file a travel plan with safetravel.is before an F-road overnight. Bring extra fuel and emergency gear.
The highlands require a serious 4WD. No exceptions.
Small cars are not permitted on F-roads. A high-clearance 4WD with river-crossing capability is mandatory. Code mapoficeland saves 15% on KeyCar 4WDs.
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