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Kerlingarfjöll

Highlands, IcelandDormant1477 m
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Kerlingarfjöll

Highlands, IcelandDormant1477 m

About

Kerlingarfjöll is a 1,477 m (4,846 ft) tall volcanic massif in Iceland situated in the Highlands of Iceland near the Kjölur highland road. It is usually regarded as part of a large tuya fissure system of 100 km2 (39 sq mi) in the southern portion of the Hofsjökull volcanic system, although is about 20–30 km (12–19 mi) in diameter itself, and is between 68 and 350 thousand years old predating some of the activity in the rest of the system.

You can feel the heat in some spots. A reminder that Iceland sits on one of Earth's most active volcanic zones.

Follow marked paths in active geothermal areas. The ground can be unstable or concealing scalding water beneath a thin crust.

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Plan your visit to Kerlingarfjöll

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Driving conditions
Road conditions
Check live· From Reykjavík to the foss
Drive: Good·Visit now·30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
ClosuresChecking…
Wind—
Visibility—
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Prices
Cost to visit
Free
No fees
Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
Forecast
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Aurora forecast for tonight
HighlandsReykjavíkSouth CoastWestNorthEastWestfjordsReykjanes
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Cars & campers

−15%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −15%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −15%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −15%

Tours near Kerlingarfjöll

Free cancellationSmall groups
Glacier & Golden Circle
Adventure

Glacier & Golden Circle

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

Duration10 hours
PickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobile
VehicleSuper Jeep
From
49.990 kr
View tour →

Daily conditions for your trip

Roads, weather, and aurora for your exact travel dates — one short email each morning, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.

Photos & videos

Kerlingarfjöll — photo by Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Kerlingarfjöll, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Reviews

Nearby

Waterfalls

#1.Skuggafoss
7 km·~8 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

#2.Gýgjarfoss
9.1 km·~11 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

Gýgjarfoss
#3.Hvanngiljafoss
29 km·~35 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

Hvanngiljafoss
#4.Dynkur
35 km·~42 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

Dynkur
4 waterfalls near Highlands

Hot Springs

#1.Hveradalir
1.9 km·~2 min drive

Wild hot spring. Real Iceland experience. Respect the nature around it.

#2.Baðlaug Kerlingarfjöll Hot Spring
2.4 km·~3 min drive

Hot spring in Highlands. Natural geothermal bathing spot.

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Hrunamannahreppur
4.4 km·~5 min drive

Natural pool. Off the tourist path. Respect the nature around it.

#4.Geothermal hot spring near Húnabyggð
27 km·~33 min drive

Geothermal spot. Naturally heated, no facilities. Check conditions before going.

4 hot springs near Highlands

Campsites

#1.Kerlingarfjöll
4.5 km·~5 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#2.Kerlingarfjöll - Highland Base
4.6 km·~6 min drive

The camping site at Mountain Kerlingafjoll is in the vally of Asgard, on the north side…

#3.Árbúðir
22 km·~26 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#4.Hvítárnes
24 km·~29 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

4 campsites near Highlands

Supermarkets

#1.Krambúð
77 km·~93 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#2.Krambúðin
86 km·~103 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#3.Kjörbúðin
106 km·~128 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Krónan
111 km·~133 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near Highlands

Gas stations

#1.Hrauneyjar
50 km·~60 min drive

Olís · 315.8 kr/L petrol

#2.Geysir
63 km·~76 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Húsafell
77 km·~93 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#4.Flúðir
77 km·~93 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near Highlands

Tours

#1.Glacier & Golden Circle
10 hours·Pickup Reykjavík

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

from 32,990 krView tour →
1 tours near Highlands

Frequently
asked
questions

Is it safe to visit Kerlingarfjöll?
Kerlingarfjöll is not currently erupting, and the surrounding area is generally safe to visit on marked trails. Volcanic and geothermal ground can still be unstable or hide gas — stay on the path, and check safetravel.is for any local closures before you drive.
How do I get to Kerlingarfjöll?
Kerlingarfjöll is in Highlands. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland access often needs a 4×4 and some routes only open in summer.
Can I hike Kerlingarfjöll?
It depends on the volcano and current activity. Some Icelandic cones have short marked trails to the rim; others sit under glaciers or in closed areas and cannot be climbed without a guide. Never approach an active eruption unless the official viewing area is open — conditions change fast.
What should I know about volcanic gas near Kerlingarfjöll?
Volcanic and geothermal areas can release sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, which are toxic in high concentrations and collect in low-lying spots. Stay on marked paths, leave immediately if you smell strong sulphur or feel unwell, and check the Met Office gas forecasts during any eruption.

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