Ranked as top safest country since 2008 is no less feat achieved by Hveradalir Iceland. But I must say that Iceland deserves it and today we take you to Iceland’s hiking and trailing site Kerlingarfjoll & Hveradalir.
The hike is a small one of not more than 7 Km and should take few hours depending on conditions. Hike takes you from diverse ways
Hveradalir Iceland
The hike is medium difficulty and takes you through spectacular hot springs through the volcanic mountains.
Kerlingarfjoll is a small but stunning mountain range located in the remote in central highlands of Iceland. Sandwiched between glaciers and risen on rocky landscape, what comes out are the snowy peaks.
Hveradalir is a geothermal area that rises between red rhyolite mountains, hot springs, vents and boiling water with bubbling rivers. In short, it’s a perfect cocktail for an adventurer, a photographer and any explorer.
Both the inlands are only sparsely populated from tourists and hiking there is not very difficult and with organized tours, it’s becoming more and more easy.
Essentials before the trip – Pack proper clothes and hiking shoes (obvious). Hveradalir is best explored on foots. After few layers of clothes on your body, one need to join the proper marked way. One can have excellent views here and let your imagination run wild and have some of the real cool pictures (before clouds blur your view).
Trail – It all begins with Asgarour’s resort. Path starts off with well-marked signs along the way. Wooden poles indicate direction (becomes scary after some while). A small valley is reached soon and there are multiple ways with multiple directions. Finally, its Hveradalir!
- Hveradalir Short Way – 1-hour exploration via mix of drive and walk
- Hot Spring Jaunt – Easy to follow trail with signs around, can be used as a hot hydrotherapy place.
- Mt. resort to Hveradalir – Described above
- Snaekollur Summit – Steep and tough with snow covered glaciers.
- Austurf Joll – Challenging, < 5-6 hours’ hike.
- Hringbrautin circuit – Long, 47 km over 3 days. Accommodation in small huts
Must do – Don’t forget to have a hot dip in natural hot spring pools. There is one of the best dips at Hveravellir (not to be confused with Hveradalir) and one can enjoy picturesque beauty in the middle of nowhere. (P.S – There’s no changing room in the vicinity so please take care)
Access to Kerlingarfjoll – F35, F347 (Kjolur road). 4×4 needed. Easiest roads. There are more roads but that can be tough and expertise is required. Mostly all rivers have been bridged & roads in pretty good conditions.
- Access from Blonduos – Easier but little far. Dirt road with large boulders but easy. 4×4 with any driver (2.30 hours one side). Also ends at hveravellir so one can enjoy hot water bath.
- Access from Gulfoss – Short distance but dreadful way. Roads are not good. Ready for bucket full of bumps along the way.
Best time – Kerlingarfjoll needs access via K35 & F347 roads. They are inaccessible in winters.
June-Early October
Hveradalir can best be accessed in August & September