Herðubreiðarlindir

Herðubreiðarlindir is an area with many springs and lush vegetation, home to unique wildlife. The area to the northwest of Herðubreið is flat and easily traversed, but care should be taken not to underestimate distances and there is also a risk of getting lost among the lava formations. There are many hiking routes to choose from at Herðubreiðarlindir, such as around Herðubreiðarvötn, down by Lindaá, to the confluence of Jökulsá and Kreppa, in addition to an interpretive trail that leads into the lava. Information is provided by the local rangers.

Longer alternatives to the short hiking routes by the springs include first of all the footpath with marker posts that leads to the base of Herðubreið. That walk takes two hours in total. The hiking route to the place where Herðubreið can be ascended is also indicated by marker posts from Lindir to the north and then west to the base of the mountain (three hours each trip). The path up the mountain is not indicated with marker posts. If you walk up Herðubreið, which takes about 12 hours from Lindir and back again, you need to set out at an early hour, especially after darkness begins to fall earlier in August. The mountain walk takes about three hours. It starts at the end of the road to the west of the mountain, at a place that can be reached by car, which takes about two hours of driving time from Lindir. The driving route leads towards Dyngjufjöll and along the base of Herðubreiðartögl, traversing the pass between them and Herðubreið. The walk includes traversing an inclination that reaches up through the cliff wall at the top of the mountain. Other approaches to ascend the mountain should be avoided. The ascent is often difficult due to snow and ice in early summer. Falling rocks should also be expected at any time, and therefore it is advisable not to walk in tight clusters. You should make a plan for your trip, get information from the rangers, and tell them where you plan to go.
If you want to walk to Bræðrafell at Kollóttudyngja, the route goes from the place of ascent of Herðubreið, by Flötudyngja to the hut of the Touring Club of Akureyri, which is located east of Bræðrafell. The route is indicated with marker posts and takes about 7-9 hours to complete from the starting point at Herðubreiðarlindir.

Ódáðahraun is sparse in water, although snow can sometimes be spotted at the top of the mountains in parts of summer. Walkers must therefore bring their own water.

The Touring Club of Akureyri keeps an overnight hut and camping area at Herðubreiðarlindir, both of which are tended by hut wardens.

The legendary outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur is believed to have spent one winter at Herðubreiðarlindir. It is also likely is that he subsequently lived for about a decade in the highlands to the north of Vatnajökull with his wife Halla, probably at Hvannalindir. The story of Eyvindur and Halla has for a long time held a fascination for Icelanders, and legends about the couple have long been intertwined with historical sources. And even though some people consider them to have been common sheep thieves they certainly possessed a great deal of resourcefulness and resilience, which attests to the fact that self-reliance and the desire for independence can help people get through nearly impossible situations.