The Ultimate Guide to Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area, Iceland
Kerlingarfjöll is a breathtaking and remote mountain range in the highlands of Iceland. It is one of the lesser-known highland areas but does not lack beautiful views! Since it requires a long drive on various F roads, many people skip visiting the area, but I promise, it is worth a visit!
Kerlingarfjöll has beautiful multi-colored mountains, a small hot spring, and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. The Hveradalir Geothermal Area was my favorite place because the views were unmatched. You can explore both areas from various overlooks or hike on its many trails. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Kerlingarfjöll and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area in Iceland!
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How to Get to Kerlingarfjöll Iceland
There are two ways to get to Kerlingarfjöll- from the west or north. Driving from the west is the easiest way to get to Kerlingarfjöll because the F road is mild compared to others in Iceland. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads with anything from rocks to river crossings and are only accessible by approved 4x4 vehicles.
From the west, the route follows F35 for 60 km (37 miles) past Gullfoss before turning right onto F347. F35 was one of the more mild F roads we have driven on in Iceland, and it does not have river crossings. F347 is still a mild F road but gets a bit rockier as you approach Kerlingarfjöll. The total driving time from Gullfoss is about 1.5-2 hours.
From the north, the route follows F35 starting from the Ring Road for 111km (69 miles) before turning left onto F347. This section of F35 is longer and rougher than approaching Kerlingarfjöll from the west and takes a bit more time (about 2-3 hours).
Since the drive into Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area is long, I recommend spending at least a full day exploring the area. It will give you plenty of time to drive in and out of the Kerlingarfjöll and explore its beautiful trails.
Tips for Visiting Kerlingarfjöll Iceland
Pack layers and rain gear. The weather in the Iceland highlands is unpredictable, making it crucial to pack layers and a rain jacket. We were lucky to have beautiful sunny weather for most of the day, but the weather quickly changed to a rainy afternoon as we left Kerlingarfjöll.
Be prepared for the wind. When we visited Kerlingarfjöll, the wind was pretty crazy when we were hiking. We were happy to have packed layers because the wind makes the temperatures much colder.
Enjoy the hot spring after your hike! After exploring Kerlingarfjöll, I recommend taking a dip in the hot springs near the resort. It is the perfect place to relax after a hike.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Where to Stay in Kerlingarfjöll Iceland
If you are hoping to stay near Kerlingarfjöll, you are in luck! Kerlingarfjöll has a resort offering everything from luxury hotel rooms to campsites. Many trails begin at the resort, making it a great place to stay. If you would rather stay near Gullfoss and have access to more things other than Kerlingarfjöll, here are a few great hotel options:
What to Pack for Kerlingarfjöll Iceland
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
The Best Things to Do in Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area Iceland
Hike from Kerlingarfjöll to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area
One of the best things to do in Kerlingarfjöll is to hike from the resort to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. The 7.8-mile trail gains about 2,000 feet of elevation, so it is not easy, but the views are worth the effort!
Once the trail leaves the resort area, it gradually ascends and follows a beautiful path toward Hveradalshnúkur. The trail continues around Hveradalshnúkur before entering the Hveradalir Geothermal Area.
When you are in the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, you can hike on any of the beautiful trails. The best views, in my opinion, are right after you enter the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, where you can overlook the geothermal area and the surrounding multi-colored mountains.
Because it is a geothermal area, it does not have the most pleasant smell. As long as you stay on the ridges, you will stay away from most of the smell. If you hike into the valley, the smell can be a lot, which is to be expected in a geothermal area.
Once you finish exploring the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, you can head back the way you came towards the resort. Even though it is a longer hike, it goes by quickly because the views are stunning along the entire trail. And you will quickly fall in love with this beautiful hike in Kerlingarfjöll!
Soak in the Kerlingarfjöll Hot Springs
After you finish hiking, I recommend soaking in the Kerlingarfjöll Hot Springs! Just past the resort lives a small hot spring pool in the middle of beautiful multi-colored mountains, and it is the perfect place to relax.
A short 0.8-mile path (one way) travels along the right side of the river to the hot springs. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow from the resort!
Explore the Hveradalir Geothermal Area
If you do not want to hike from the resort into the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, have no fear! You can follow the road about 3.5 miles past the resort to the geothermal area. The road is rough but doable as long as you take your time.
Once you make it to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, you can explore! Although you do not need to hike to take in the views, I highly recommend hiking on the many trails in the area. Each hiking trail is easy to follow and has stairs to make the ascents easier.
From the parking lot, you can follow the trail down to the boardwalk in the geothermal area. From here, you can access several trails and enjoy the breathtaking views of the multi-colored mountains. We explored most of the hiking trails in this area and were not disappointed!
If you do not want to hike too far, you can enjoy the views from the short trail near the parking lot overlooking the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. No matter how you choose to explore the area, you will love exploring this area near Kerlingarfjöll!
Hike to Snækollur
If you want to enjoy a lesser-known hike near Hveradalir Geothermal Area and Kerlingarfjöll, I recommend hiking to Snækollur. The trailhead is just before the Hveradalir Geothermal Area parking area and has room for a handful of cars.
The trail to Snækollur is not well-traveled and not well-marked in areas because of the lack of travel. And although the trail is only 4 miles round trip, it is steep, gaining over 1,700 feet of elevation. But the views from the top of the surrounding area are stunning! You can’t beat the views from the tallest mountain in Kerlingarfjöll!
Backpack the Circle Route around Kerlingarfjöll
The Circle Route is perfect if you want to backpack in Kerlingarfjöll. The 29-mile loop gives you a grand tour of Kerlingarfjöll and everything it offers.
Most people take three days to backpack the entire loop and stay at the huts along the trail. Each hut requires a reservation made ahead of time since space is limited. If you can backpack this route, you will fall in love with the breathtaking hike!
Explore the Gýgjarfoss Waterfall
If you are driving out of Kerlingarfjöll to the west towards Gullfoss, I highly recommend stopping at Gýgjarfoss! It has an easy-to-get-to roadside overlook with stunning views of the falls and surrounding mountains. Although the waterfall is only about 16 feet tall, it is impressive! When we visited in August, it had a crazy water flow and was beautiful. It is the perfect place to stop on your long drive out of Kerlingarfjöll!
If you want to visit Kerlingarfjöll and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about visiting Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area in Iceland.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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