Iceland's best sights to visit

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Glaciers, terrain-tearing fissures, volcanoes, midnight sun and northern lights – adventures in Iceland offer the chance...

HlíðarfjallDespite its modest size, however, the surreal landscape and rare chance to ski above the ocean make Hlíðarfjall worth a visit. It’s worth noting that midwinter skiing is not big in Iceland, due to almost 24-hour darkness; on the other hand, there’s every chance you’ll see the northern lights.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours and CafeSkimming around the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, you can paddle among the icebergs in what is now the country’s deepest lake.

LangidalurHave a ride in the Víðidalur or Langadalur valleys, trek the historic Kjölur Route that journeys between two ice caps from north to south, then go to the northwest, where every autumn you can join locals as they round up more than 2000 horses from the highlands to take them down to graze in the lowlands over winter. After an auction, join in the celebrations with traditional lamb soup and song.

BorgarfjörðurIn the little-visited east is Borgarfjörður, where the Víknaslóðir (Trails of the Deserted Inlets) weave between abandoned villages and rhyolite mountains to offer multiday hikes.

Snæfellsjökull National ParkThe renowned 55km Laugavegur Trail between the hot springs of Landmannalaugar and the glacial valley of Þórsmörk is now commonly crowded, but the similar Sveinstindur-to-Eldgja hike is comparatively people-free and has cleaner mountain huts en route.

VatnajokullIceland contains boot-pleasing hiking terrain at all points of the compass. In the southeast sprawls vast Vatnajökull National Park, home to the eponymous 3000-billion-tonne glacier, Europe’s largest chunk of ice. The frozen expanse of Vatnajökull partially or completely covers several volcanoes, including Öræfajökull, the summit crater of which protrudes from the ice to tempt climbers with Hvannadalshnjúkur (2110m), which is Iceland’s highest point.

ÓlafsfjörðurRinged by volcanic reefs, the sheltered beaches here offer great surfing, and surprisingly – in summer at least – the water temperature isn’t dramatically colder than in Scotland (still, you do need a good thick wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots).

Silfra Fissure Arctic AdventuresHere, what appears to be a rocky channel is actually the crack between two continental plates, so you can literally place one hand on North America and the other on Europe while checking out the incredible water clarity (100m+ visibility) amid the green ‘troll hair’ algae.

The Cave VidgelmirJust shy of 1600m long, with a height of 15.8m and a width of 16.5m, it’s the country’s largest cave and contains evidence of habitation spanning back to the Vikings. Walkers can undertake a guided excursion inside, and those feeling more adventurous can go further, climbing between the stalactites and burnt-red boulders to find the end.