Sveinstindur mountain
Updated: Apr 4
The mountain Sveinstindur is positioned near the lake Langisjór, practically in the middle of Iceland. It is one of the most interesting mountains in Iceland. With a height of 1093 meters, the mountain towers over the landscape and is higher than most of the surrounding mountains. The elevation from the root of Sveinstindur is about 350 meters, as Langisjór lake lies at an altitude of 670 meters. Sveinstindur mountain is one of the best places in Iceland to get a good view of the Highland and probably one of the best viewing places in Iceland for an average mountain climber. The mountain offers a view of six glaciers, many great volcanos, hundreds of mountains, multiple long and winding rivers, and hundreds of kilometers of the horizon in all directions. You have to be there to understand the magnitude of the view's beauty.
The path to the top is not difficult:
Although the walking path near the service center by Langisjór is not difficult or long, it is a bit steep and part of it possibly frightening for people who fear heights, especially near the top. However, the view is great if you choose to walk as little as the first 150 meters. The total trail takes about an hour and a half and is an ascending one. It has an elevation of about 400 meters and is a bit more than a kilometer long. Nevertheless, each step is rewarding because of the outstanding views. On the walk up, you primarily get the views to the west, south, and north. However, when you reach the top, you get an additional perspective to the east, where you see the highest mountain in Iceland—Hvannadalshnúkur—and also Lakagígar and Laki, the amazing memorials to the huge volcanic eruption of 1783. Keep in mind that there is a significant difference between walking on top of Sveinstindur in a calm wind and walking in a wind. Walking to the upper part on a gloomy and cloudy day is not particularly enjoyable—a reminder that anything you do in Iceland is weather- and season-related. Moreover, do remember that this part of Iceland, the Highland, opens only from the middle of July until the middle of September.
Sveinstindur and Langisjór are part of the Fjallabak Nyrðri drive:
The drive to Sveinstindur goes through a highland road. It is meant only for good 4X4 vehicles as it is a challenging dirt road with many creeks and rivers to cross. Anyone who takes a small car to the Highland, even a small 4X4 vehicle, is taking a significant risk of damaging the car and adding a considerable cost to the tour. Now coming to Langisjór, when you are on the Nyrðri Fjallabak road, you take a turn on Langisjór (F235) and drive the road to the service center by the lake.