Summer is the best time to visit the Icelandic highlands. F-roads open, daylight stretches long into the evening, and remote areas like Kerlingarfjöll become accessible. Whether you join a guided day trip, self-drive, or use a planned tour as your transfer, summer makes exploring the Icelandic highlands not only possible but also rewarding.
The Icelandic highlands are one of the most remote and striking regions in Iceland. But for much of the year, they are extremely challenging for day visits because of snow, weather, and road conditions.
Summer changes everything.
From late June through early September, the highlands open to day visitors. Roads become passable, hiking trails emerge, and landscapes shift from snow-covered terrain to colorful rhyolite mountains, geothermal valleys, and wide-open wilderness.
This is when Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base becomes accessible, and when the highlands are at their most inviting.
F-roads open and the highlands become accessible
One of the main reasons to visit the Icelandic highlands in summer is simple: F-roads open.
F-roads are mountain roads that lead into Iceland’s remote interior. These routes typically remain closed throughout winter and spring due to snow, river crossings, and unpredictable weather.
During summer:
Highland roads open
Access improves to remote areas like Kerlingarfjöll
Travel becomes more predictable
Kerlingarfjöll sits deep in the central highlands, making summer the ideal time to visit comfortably.
Once the roads open, Highland Base becomes a gateway to one of Iceland’s most unique landscapes.
Endless summer daylight in the Icelandic highlands
Another reason summer is the best time to visit the Icelandic highlands is the long daylight hours. In the Icelandic highlands during summer, you can expect:
Extended daylight well into the evening
Flexible hiking opportunities
More time to explore geothermal valleys
Better conditions for photography
The long summer days make it possible to explore more, move at a relaxed pace, and fully experience the remote environment of Kerlingarfjöll.
Instead of rushing, visitors can spend time hiking, exploring, and simply taking in the surroundings.
Why visit Kerlingarfjöll in summer?
Kerlingarfjöll offers a rare combination of accessibility and remote highland experience. During summer, visitors can explore:
Geothermal valleys like Hveradalir
Colorful rhyolite mountains
Highland hiking trails
Remote wilderness landscapes
Highland Base facilities and experiences
The terrain becomes more accessible, trails are easier to follow, and conditions are generally more stable.
This makes Kerlingarfjöll one of the best places to visit in the Icelandic highlands in summer.
How can I visit the Icelandic highlands while I'm in Iceland?
There are several ways to visit the Icelandic highlands in summer, depending on your travel style and experience.
1. Join a planned day trip (recommended) One of the easiest and most reliable ways to visit the Icelandic highlands is by joining a planned day trip to Kerlingarfjöll. A day in Kerlingarfjöll from Highland Base is designed specifically for summer travel. It allows visitors to experience the Highlands without overnight logistics or specialized driving experience. Benefits of a planned day trip:
No need for 4x4 driving experience
Local knowledge and guidance
Efficient route planning
Access to remote landscapes in one day
Comfortable and structured experience
Included admission to the Highland Baths
For many travelers, this is the most straightforward way to experience the Icelandic highlands while visiting Iceland.
Book a day trip here.
2. Self-drive to Kerlingarfjöll Self-driving to Kerlingarfjöll is also possible during summer, when F-roads are open and conditions allow. However, it typically requires:
A 4x4 vehicle
Checking road and weather conditions
Confidence driving mountain roads
Planning fuel and timing carefully
For experienced travelers, self-drive offers flexibility and independence. But for many visitors, a guided day trip provides a simpler and more relaxed option.
3. Use a day tour as your highlands transfer Another option is to use a planned day trip as your transfer into the highlands. This allows you to:
Travel comfortably into the highlands
Avoid self-driving on F-roads
Continue exploring Kerlingarfjöll after arrival
Combine transport with a guided experience
This approach offers a flexible way to reach Highland Base while still benefiting from a guided journey.
When is the best time to visit Kerlingarfjöll?
The best time to visit Kerlingarfjöll is:
Late June to early September
During this time:
F-roads are typically open
Weather conditions are more stable
Hiking trails are accessible
Day trips operate regularly
The highlands are at their most welcoming
Each summer month offers slightly different conditions, but all provide access to the unique landscapes of Kerlingarfjöll.
Experience the Icelandic highlands in summer
Visiting the Icelandic highlands in summer offers something unique:
Remote landscapes
Geothermal activity
Wide open wilderness
Long daylight hours
Accessible mountain roads
Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base brings these elements together in one destination. Whether you choose a planned day trip, self-drive adventure, or guided transfer, summer makes exploring the Icelandic highlands both possible and rewarding.
Plan your summer highlands visit
If you’re visiting Iceland in summer and wondering whether to include the highlands, the answer is simple: this is the time to go.
With open roads, long days, and accessible trails, Kerlingarfjöll offers one of the most memorable highland experiences available.
A summer day trip to Highland Base makes the Icelandic highlands more accessible, while still preserving the feeling of remote adventure.
