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Rémih · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Highlands Lakes
20 lakes in Highlands — mapped with live road conditions, drive times, and directions.
20 lakes in Highlands, led by Þórisvatn and Sultartangalón. All mapped with drive times, directions, and live road conditions.
Top lakes in Highlands
The region's stand-outs — each with photos, facts, and its own page. Distances on the cards are straight-line from Reykjavík.
88 km² surfaceÞórisvatn
Iceland's largest lake by surface area, though much of it is reservoir. Highland location. Remote and stark. The roads here open late and close early. True interior Iceland. Part of the highland network of reservoirs. Engineering at elevation.
19 km² surfaceSultartangalón
The lake Sultartangarlón is situated in the Highlands of Iceland to the north of the volcano Hekla. It is a reservoir of the river Þjórsá. Its surface area is 20 km2. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
57 km² surfaceBlöndulón
Large reservoir in the north created for hydroelectric power. Not natural, but beautiful. The surrounding highlands are empty and atmospheric. The lake sits in a dramatic valley. One of several highland reservoirs that power Iceland. Engineering meeting wilderness. Not a destination in itself, but impressive if you're passing through.
20 km² surfaceKvíslavatn
Kvíslavatn is a lake in Iceland. The lake is situated in the Highlands of Iceland to the west of Sprengisandur highland road and to the south-east of the glacier Hofsjökull. Its surface area is about 20 km2. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
30 km² surfaceHvítárvatn
Hvítárvatn is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland and the source of the glacial river Hvítá, Árnessýsla. It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Gullfoss waterfall. Its surface is about 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) and its greatest depth is 84 metres (276 ft). It lies at an elevation of 420 metres (1,380 ft). Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Hágöngulón
Hágöngulón is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland. It is 37 square kilometres (14 mi2) in area and it is situated nearly 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of the Sprengisandur road, one of the highland tracks which cross Iceland from the south to the north, and a similar distance west of the largest glacier Vatnajökull. Immediately to the south is the lava field Hágönguhraun. It is fed by various streams consisting of meltwater from Vatnajökull and is drained by Kaldakvísl, a tributary of the Þjórsá, both of which flow in a southwest direction towards the southwest coast. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
20 lakes in Highlands
Hagavatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Arnarvatn-Stóra
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Hraunvötn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Hundavötn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Þúfuvötn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Aðalmannsvatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Blönduvatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Eyjavatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Galtaból
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Galtarvatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Grænavatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Grænavatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Helgavatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Reyðarvatn
Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
88 km² surfaceÞórisvatn
Iceland's largest lake by surface area, though much of it is reservoir. Highland location. Remote and stark. The roads here open late and close early. True interior Iceland. Part of the highland network of reservoirs. Engineering at elevation.
19 km² surfaceSultartangalón
The lake Sultartangarlón is situated in the Highlands of Iceland to the north of the volcano Hekla. It is a reservoir of the river Þjórsá. Its surface area is 20 km2. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
57 km² surfaceBlöndulón
Large reservoir in the north created for hydroelectric power. Not natural, but beautiful. The surrounding highlands are empty and atmospheric. The lake sits in a dramatic valley. One of several highland reservoirs that power Iceland. Engineering meeting wilderness. Not a destination in itself, but impressive if you're passing through.
20 km² surfaceKvíslavatn
Kvíslavatn is a lake in Iceland. The lake is situated in the Highlands of Iceland to the west of Sprengisandur highland road and to the south-east of the glacier Hofsjökull. Its surface area is about 20 km2. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
30 km² surfaceHvítárvatn
Hvítárvatn is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland and the source of the glacial river Hvítá, Árnessýsla. It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Gullfoss waterfall. Its surface is about 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) and its greatest depth is 84 metres (276 ft). It lies at an elevation of 420 metres (1,380 ft). Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Hágöngulón
Hágöngulón is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland. It is 37 square kilometres (14 mi2) in area and it is situated nearly 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of the Sprengisandur road, one of the highland tracks which cross Iceland from the south to the north, and a similar distance west of the largest glacier Vatnajökull. Immediately to the south is the lava field Hágönguhraun. It is fed by various streams consisting of meltwater from Vatnajökull and is drained by Kaldakvísl, a tributary of the Þjórsá, both of which flow in a southwest direction towards the southwest coast. Highland lake in Iceland's remote interior. Summer access only, F-road driving required. Emptiness and beauty in equal measure. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
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