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Highlands
| The Highlands of Iceland cover most of the interior of Iceland. They are
situated above 400-500 metres and are mostly uninhabitable, because the
water precipitating as rain or snow infiltrates so quickly into the ground
that it is unavailable for plant growth, which results largely in a desert
surface of grey, black or brown earth, lava and volcanic ashes. A few
oasis-like areas, such as Herðubreiðarlindir near Askja, are found only in
proximity to rivers. |
Icelanders categorise the Highlands as:
- "Háls", meaning a broad mountain ridge between valleys, such as the one
near Langavatn north of Borgarnes; or
- "Heiði", meaning the real highlands, such as those alongside the
Sprengisandur road.
Most of the numerous glaciers, such as Vatnajökull, Langjökull and
Hofsjökull, are also part of the Icelandic Highlands. Vegetation is only
found on the shores of the glacier rivers. There is also the danger of
glacier runs.
Some of the most interesting parts of Iceland with volcanic activity are to
be found in the Highlands, such as Sprengisandur and the region around Askja
and Herðubreið.
Land Rover Defender stuck in a highland riverThe Highlands can only be
crossed during the Icelandic summer (June to August). For the rest of the
year the highland roads are closed. The best known highland roads are
Kaldidalur, Kjölur and Sprengisandur. Most highland roads require four wheel
drive vehicles, because it is necessary to ford rivers. However, the Kjölur
route can easily be traversed in an ordinary sedan and is therefore one of
the more popular highland roads. Off-road driving ("road" in this context
meaning tracks that are already present) is forbidden in the Highlands when
they are free of snow, to protect the vegetation.Source:
Wikipedia |
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