Kerlingarfjöll Day Hike from Reykjavik

Another planet is closer than you think. This 11-hour trip from Reykjavik takes you from city streets to Gullfoss, black highland desert, glacial lagoons, and the steaming valleys of Kerlingarfjöll. I like the easy Reykjavik pickup and the chance to see several very different parts of Iceland in one day. I also like the small group, capped at 19 people, which gives the guide more room to help during the hike.

The main caution is the trail itself. The walk through Hveradalir can include steep stairs without rails or ropes, narrow ridges, and very muddy ground. I would not treat this as a simple stroll. You need moderate fitness, solid footwear, and a willingness to turn back or use a less demanding route if conditions are poor.

Key Points Before You Book

• Kerlingarfjöll is the star: The Hveradalir valley combines steaming ground, colorful rhyolite mountains, and wide highland views.
• The day starts early: Pickup begins at 8 a.m. from approved Reykjavik locations, with an evening return after roughly 11 hours.
• The hike changes with conditions: The planned walk lasts about two hours, but the exact trail depends on weather and ground conditions.
• Expect a remote setting: You travel beyond paved roads onto highland mountain roads, with long stretches of open black desert and glacial scenery.
• Pack your own food and water: Lunch, snacks, and bottled water are not included, though WiFi and an air-conditioned vehicle are provided.
• The trail can be rough: Mud, steep steps, narrow ridges, and exposed sections make proper hiking footwear important.

Why Kerlingarfjöll Feels So Different

Kerlingarfjöll is a volcanic mountain range in central Iceland, far from the easy access of Reykjavik’s main sights. Its appeal comes from contrast. You see open black ground, pale glacial water, colorful mountains, and active geothermal areas in one outing.

The Hveradalir valley is the main prize. Its name means Valley of the Hot Springs, and the name is not decorative. Steam rises from geothermal ground, hot springs push through the valley, and some vents are powerful enough that you must keep a safe distance.

The mountains around the valley are made of rhyolite, a volcanic rock that gives the slopes unusual shades and patterns. Depending on the weather and light, the scene can look brown, orange, red, gray, or almost yellow. Add rushing glacial rivers and broad views across the highlands, and you get scenery that feels far removed from the more familiar waterfalls and coastal cliffs.

I like this trip for that sense of change. You are not simply visiting one viewpoint, taking a photo, and returning to town. The road itself provides much of the experience, and the final destination feels properly remote.

The 8 a.m. Pickup in Reykjavik

The tour begins at 8 a.m., but the practical part starts before that. Pickup is offered only at specific locations. The bus cannot collect you from hotels in central Reykjavik or from private Airbnbs because of traffic restrictions.

You can choose from a long list of approved points, including BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrímskirkja Church, City Hall, Miðbakki, Höfðatorg, and several hotels outside the restricted center. If your accommodation is not listed, you need to select the closest approved stop yourself.

That detail matters. Do not wait outside your hotel expecting the vehicle to find you. Check the pickup list at booking time and allow enough time to reach the correct point. A missed pickup would be a poor start to a day this long.

The maximum group size is 19 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach outing. A smaller group also helps when the guide is setting a walking pace or helping people decide how far to continue on a wet or difficult section.

The Road South and the Gullfoss Stop

After the group leaves Reykjavik, the trip heads toward the central highlands. The first major sightseeing pause is Gullfoss, where you get a quick chance to rest and take in one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls.

This is not a long Gullfoss visit. Think of it as a useful break before the day moves into a more demanding travel section. The stop lets you stretch your legs and gives you one famous Iceland sight before the focus shifts to Kerlingarfjöll.

The road then changes character. Paved surfaces give way to highland mountain roads, and the surroundings become much more open. You may see the wide black highland desert and glacial lagoons along the route. These are not small scenic details squeezed between attractions. They explain why the journey takes so long and why this tour is different from a standard southern Iceland day trip.

The vehicle has air conditioning and WiFi, which are welcome on a full day of driving. Still, WiFi should be viewed as a convenience rather than the reason to book. The real value is reaching a remote area without arranging a highland vehicle or handling the route yourself.

Reaching Highland Base in Ásgarður Valley

The first stop in the Kerlingarfjöll area is Highland Base, set in the Ásgarður Valley at the edge of the mountain range. This is a place to stretch your legs and prepare for the walking section.

The stop is useful because the trip involves several hours of transport. You will want to adjust clothing, take a drink, and make sure your footwear is ready before heading toward Hveradalir.

The itinerary gives four hours to the Kerlingarfjöll portion of the day, including the time at Highland Base and the hike. That may sound generous, but the active hiking time is usually around two hours. The remaining time allows for walking to viewpoints, taking photos, regrouping, and adapting to the day’s conditions.

Do not read the four-hour stop as four hours of strenuous hiking. At the same time, do not assume you will spend all four hours sitting comfortably at the base. The point of this section is to get out into the mountains.

Hiking Hveradalir’s Geothermal Valley

Hveradalir is where the trip earns its price. The valley is one of Iceland’s largest geothermal areas, surrounded by colorful rhyolite peaks and cut by paths through unusual volcanic ground.

The planned hike lasts about two hours, but the exact route depends on the weather and trail conditions. That flexibility is sensible. In the highlands, a route that feels manageable in dry weather can become slippery, muddy, or uncomfortable after rain, snow, or thawing ground.

You should expect more than a flat walking path. One account of the hike described stairs without rails or ropes, narrow ridges, and trail sections covered in mud. The same person found the original route too difficult and returned to the parking area, then followed a well-marked path instead. Younger participants in the group completed the full loop.

That experience gives you an important planning point: the guide may offer a safer or easier option, but the main route is not for everyone. A moderate fitness level is required, and confidence on uneven ground will help. If steep steps, narrow sections, or slippery mud make you uneasy, tell the guide early rather than trying to keep pace until you are exhausted.

Footwear deserves special attention. Hiking shoes or boots are the sensible minimum, but very wet conditions may make the trail feel closer to a bog than a normal mountain path. One participant specifically wished for rubber boots or galoshes. You do not need to assume the trail will always be that wet, but you should prepare for mud and bring footwear that you do not mind getting dirty.

The geothermal features also require restraint. Some hot springs are strong and hot enough to be dangerous, so you must stay on the safe side of the marked route and follow the guide. This is not a place for testing the ground with your boot or wandering close to a steaming pool for a better photograph.

Views, Photos, and the High Country

The visual reward is excellent. Kerlingarfjöll offers wide views over central Iceland, and the combination of colored mountains, steam, rivers, and open desert gives you plenty to photograph.

The best images may not come from one single viewpoint. The scenery changes as you walk, and the weather can alter the colors and visibility from minute to minute. Bring a camera or phone with enough battery for a long day, but keep it protected from rain and mud.

I also like that the route gives you a more complete sense of Iceland’s interior. Many day trips focus on waterfalls, geysers, or black beaches. This one shows you the highland environment itself, including the emptier spaces between major stops.

The drawback is that the views are tied to weather. Clouds, rain, wind, or poor visibility can reduce the payoff. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions make the trip unsafe, it can be canceled with an offer of another date or a full refund.

Is the $215.65 Price Good Value?

At $215.65 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. The price becomes easier to justify if you want to see Kerlingarfjöll but do not have a suitable highland vehicle, do not want to manage the long drive, and prefer a guided walk in a remote area.

You are paying for transportation from Reykjavik, the long return journey, guided hiking, sightseeing, and access to a difficult-to-reach part of the country. Air conditioning and WiFi add comfort during the drive, while the group limit of 19 keeps the experience more personal than a large bus excursion.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed sightseeing day. Much of the 11 hours includes travel, and the hiking section can be muddy and physically demanding. Lunch, snacks, and bottled water are also excluded, so you need to budget for and pack those yourself.

I would compare this trip with the cost and effort of arranging a vehicle capable of reaching the highlands. For someone already equipped and comfortable driving remote mountain roads, a self-guided visit might offer more control. For most visitors based in Reykjavik, the tour removes a major transport problem and provides a guide where the road and weather require care.

What to Pack for the 11-Hour Day

Pack for a full day outside, not just a bus ride. You should bring:

• Water, since bottled water is not included
• Lunch and snacks
• Waterproof hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes
• Extra socks in case the trail is wet
• Warm layers and rain protection
• A charged phone or camera
• Clothing that can handle mud

The precise conditions can change, so flexible clothing matters more than dressing for a fixed forecast. You may be comfortable in the vehicle and then face cold, wet, or windy conditions in Hveradalir.

Because the hike is guided, you do not need to plan the route yourself. You do need to pay attention to the guide’s instructions around hot springs, ridges, and slippery sections.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want striking highland scenery and accept that a remote Iceland excursion comes with a long drive and an imperfect trail.

It suits:

• Visitors without a highland vehicle
• Hikers with moderate fitness
• Photographers who want unusual volcanic scenery
• People who prefer a small group to a large coach
• Anyone who wants to combine Gullfoss with a less common destination
• Visitors who are comfortable adjusting plans to weather conditions

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a gentle nature walk, dislike mud, or need a fully predictable schedule. The route can be changed by weather, and the more ambitious trail includes features that may feel exposed.

The good news is that the guide can help you judge the conditions. One account praised the guide for keeping the group moving efficiently and helping along the hike. That kind of support is useful here, but it does not remove the need for your own judgment.

The Return to Reykjavik

After the Kerlingarfjöll visit, the group begins the long return to Reykjavik. The tour aims to arrive in the evening, completing a day of about 11 hours including transport.

This is a demanding schedule. You should avoid booking an important evening activity that requires you to arrive at an exact time. Weather and highland roads can affect the timing, and the tour’s main purpose is the remote mountain visit rather than a quick city excursion.

The return drive also gives you time to rest after the hike. By this point, you may be tired, muddy, and very satisfied, especially if the weather allowed clear views across the range.

Should You Book the Kerlingarfjöll Day Hike?

Book it if your priority is reaching one of Iceland’s most unusual mountain areas without driving yourself. The geothermal valley, colorful rhyolite peaks, highland desert, and glacial scenery offer a powerful change from Reykjavik’s usual day trips.

Before paying, be honest about the hike. This is not simply a photo stop with a short, level walk. Mud, steep steps, narrow ridges, and rough ground may be part of your day. Bring proper footwear, food, and water, and be ready to choose an easier path if the guide advises it.

For fit visitors who want remote scenery and do not mind spending much of the day on the road, the $215.65 cost is reasonable. For anyone seeking comfort and an easy walk, choose a gentler excursion instead.

FAQ

How long is the Kerlingarfjöll tour?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours, including travel time. Pickup begins at 8 a.m., with an evening arrival back in Reykjavik.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available only at the listed locations. These include BSÍ Bus Terminal, selected hotels, City Hall, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Miðbakki, Höfðatorg, and other approved stops.

Can the tour pick me up at my central Reykjavik hotel?

No. Due to traffic restrictions, pickup is not available from hotels in the city center or private Airbnbs. You need to use the closest approved pickup point.

How long is the hike in Hveradalir?

The tour aims for approximately two hours of hiking. The route and duration can change depending on the trail and weather conditions.

Is the hike suitable for everyone?

The tour recommends a moderate fitness level. The route may include muddy ground, stairs without rails or ropes, and narrow ridges, so it is not ideal for anyone seeking an easy, flat walk.

Are lunch and water included?

No. Bottled water, lunch, and snacks are not included. You should bring your own supplies for the full day.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.