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Highlands of East Iceland Super Jeep Tour from Seyðisfjörður

Name: Highlands of East Iceland Super Jeep Tour from Seyðisfjörður
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 89171
Price: 61000 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

9–10 hoursGroup: Small groupEasy to moderateSuper Jeep from SeyðisfjörðurAll ages20 June–31 October

5.0(1 review)

Bathers below the warm waterfall at Laugarvalladalur

Highland plain below a snow-capped mountain

Waterfall over orange rock in the highlands

This highlands of East Iceland tour goes by Super Jeep from Seyðisfjörður into the interior, taking in Stuðlagil canyon's basalt columns, the Kárahnjúkar dam and a soak in a geothermal river valley far from the usual tourist routes.

Jökuldalur glacier valleyStuðlagil canyonHafrahvammagljúfur ravineLaugarvalladalur hot riverKárahnjúkar power plantSænautasel turf farm

Stuðlagil canyon, with some of Iceland's most striking basalt columns
Hafrahvammagljúfur, a dramatic river ravine in the highlands
A soak in a naturally heated river in Laugarvalladalur valley
Views over the Kárahnjúkar hydroelectric dam
A stop at Sænautasel, a restored 19th-century turf farm
A full day covering ground most day tours don't reach

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up in SeyðisfjörðurMeet your guide and Super Jeep at the harbour.

Jökuldalur glacier valleyA glacial river valley with waterfalls on the drive inland.

The valley follows the Jökla river inland, with waterfalls and views over the highland edge as you climb toward the interior. The stops are brief, for views.

Walking · brief stops for views

Stuðlagil canyonA canyon lined with tightly packed hexagonal basalt columns.

Stuðlagil is a canyon of tightly packed hexagonal basalt columns on the Jökla river, in the upper Jökuldalur valley in East Iceland. Most of the columns used to be hidden under grey glacial floodwater. After the Kárahnjúkar hydropower project diverted much of the river, the water level dropped and the columns came into view, with a blue-green river running between them. The shortest way to see it is from the viewing platforms on the west side, about 250 metres from the car park. The columns were hidden under the river until a dam upstream lowered the water level, exposing one of the most photographed rock formations in Iceland.

Time here · time for photos and a short walk to the viewpointWalking · path from the car park to the canyon rim

Read our Stuðlagil Canyon guide →

Hafrahvammagljúfur ravineA deep river ravine cut into the highland plateau.

Hafrahvammagljúfur, also known as Dimmugljúfur, the dark canyon, is a gorge about 200 metres deep and 8 km long, cut by the glacial river Jökla in the highlands above Jökuldalur. It has sheer rock walls dropping to the water below.

The Kárahnjúkar dam and its spillway from the air

Kárahnjúkar power plantViewpoints over Iceland's largest hydroelectric dam and its reservoir.

Viewpoints over the dam wall and the highland plateau at Iceland's largest hydroelectric dam, a large-scale engineering project that dammed several glacial rivers to power an aluminium smelter.

Laugarvalladalur hot riverA soak in a naturally warm stream in a remote valley.

A geothermally heated stream runs through this quiet valley, giving a natural, uncrowded bathing spot far from any facilities. Bring a swimsuit and towel. There are no facilities, as this is a wild bathing spot.

Bring · swimsuit and towelFacilities · none; this is a wild bathing spot

Sænautasel turf farmA rebuilt 19th-century turf farmhouse in the highlands.

Visitor at a turf-roofed farmhouse in the highlands

A small, restored turf house museum showing how families lived in this remote area generations ago, with simple exhibits and often coffee or pancakes for sale. Entry is included in the tour.

Entry · included in the tour

8Return to SeyðisfjörðurDrive back to the harbour.

About the East Iceland highlands tour

This is a long day out of Seyðisfjörður that goes further into the East Iceland interior than most shore excursions attempt. You travel by Super Jeep through Jökuldalur, a glacial river valley with waterfalls, on the way to Stuðlagil canyon, where the Jökla river runs between walls of tightly packed basalt columns exposed when the river was dammed upstream.

From Stuðlagil the route continues to Hafrahvammagljúfur, a deep ravine carved by the same river, and on to the Kárahnjúkar hydroelectric dam, one of the largest engineering projects in Iceland, with viewpoints over the reservoir and the highland plateau beyond.

A highlight for many is the stop in Laugarvalladalur, a remote valley with a naturally heated stream where you can bathe outdoors, away from any crowds. The day also includes a visit to Sænautasel, a rebuilt turf farmhouse that shows how people lived in this harsh, remote area in the 19th century.

Because this is a full day covering highland roads, only run in summer when they are open, expect a long day in the jeep with a mix of driving and short walks. Bring a swimsuit for Laugarvalladalur and warm layers for everywhere else, since the highlands can be windy and cool even in July.

Included

Fully guided tour
Super Jeep transport
Entrance to Sænautasel turf farm
All taxes and fees

Not included

Meals and drinks

What to bring

Warm clothing and a waterproof layer
Swimsuit and towel for the hot river
Hiking shoes
Water bottle

Good to know

Duration is 9–10 hours, one of the longer excursions from Seyðisfjörður
Runs 20 June to 31 October, when the highland roads are open
Minimum 2 adults to run the tour
Easy to moderate walking at each stop
The route can change with weather or road conditions
Minimum 2 people per booking.

Questions people ask

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes, bring one if you want to bathe in the geothermally heated river at Laugarvalladalur, which has no changing facilities.

How much walking is there?

Short, easy to moderate walks at each stop, mostly on paths or open ground rather than technical hiking.

Why does this tour only run part of the year?

It uses highland roads that are only open from around late June to October, once winter snow has cleared.

Is this the same as the Mjóifjörður tour?

No, this goes further into the highlands to Stuðlagil canyon and Kárahnjúkar, and runs much longer. Our East Fjords Super Jeep Tour to Mjóifjörður is a shorter, coastal alternative.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

Magical!

Magical day in east Iceland. Our cruise had a stop in Seydisfjordur and we wanted to experience something different and we totally did on this tour. Take this tour if your cruise is stopping in Seydisfjordur.

Beatrice · January 2025

From61,000 ISKPer person · Minimum 2 people per booking