Hotels in Sprengisandur Route

No food is sold anywhere in the 240km (149-mile) stretch between Hrauneyjar and Goðafoss.

Hrauneyjar may be the last outpost at the desert frontier, but for travelers with 4WD vehicles, it's also a centralized base for exploring Þjórsárdalur, Hekla, Landmannalaugar, and Veiðivötn. Hrauneyjar's two hotels, run by the same management, are 1.4km (1 mile) apart, and each has its own restaurant .

The Nýidalur mountain huts (tel. 854-1194; 3,000kr/$48/£24 sleeping-bag accommodation; MC, V; July-Aug), sleep 120 people and are operated by Ferðafélag Íslands (tel. 568-2533; www.fi.is). Advance bookings can be made online, but walk-ins are usually accommodated. Showers cost an additional 300kr ($4.80/£2.40), and the kitchen has pots and pans but no utensils. All food must be brought in. Come prepared to sleep in a packed room with 30 other travelers, or in bunks that look like singles but are meant for two.