From Reykjavik: Kerlingarfjöll Hiking Day Tour

Kerlingarfjöll feels like Iceland turned up to full volume: steaming valleys, rusty-red peaks, snowfields, black desert, and glacial rivers all packed into one remote corner of the highlands. The main reward is Hveradalir, where hot ground sends steam into the cold air and narrow trails wind through brightly colored rhyolite mountains.

I like the small slice of highland access this tour provides without asking you to drive Iceland’s rough mountain roads yourself. I also like the sensible Gullfoss and Highland Base breaks, plus guides such as Isabella, Sven, Zack, and Ronan, who have been praised for safe driving, humor, and care. The drawback is the long day: 13 hours on the road for roughly two hours of hiking, with weather and road conditions able to change the plan.

Key points at a glance

• Hveradalir is the main event: Walk through one of Iceland’s largest geothermal valleys, with steaming ground and colorful rhyolite slopes.
• The highlands require serious transport: You ride from Reykjavík on paved roads and then rough mountain roads that ordinary rental cars cannot use.
• Gullfoss gives the day a strong opening and close: The famous waterfall is used as a 20-minute break in each direction.
• The hike is usually about two hours: Weather, snow, mud, and road access can make it easier or harder, and may change where you start walking.
• Food is not included: You can buy snacks or lunch at Gullfoss and Highland Base, but the short stops make carrying your own food wise.
• This suits fit hikers aged 10 and older: Good boots, waterproof clothing, gloves, and a willingness to handle rough conditions are essential.

Why Kerlingarfjöll is worth the long ride

Kerlingarfjöll sits in central Iceland, far from Reykjavík’s easy-to-reach sights. That distance is not a minor detail. It is the reason the trip feels different from a standard Golden Circle outing.

The route leaves the city behind, passes through broad black highland desert, and continues toward an area shaped by volcanic heat, snow, and moving water. You get a sense of how empty Iceland can be. There are no rows of shops or strings of roadside attractions here. The reward comes from the setting itself.

Kerlingarfjöll is a volcanic mountain range, and its geology gives the area its unusual colors and textures. Rhyolite mountains can show shades of red, orange, brown, and yellow. Against snow and dark soil, those colors become even sharper. In Hveradalir, steam rises from hot ground while glacial water cuts through the valleys below.

The tour is especially useful if you want to see the highlands but do not want to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle or handle Iceland’s mountain roads. A local driver and guide take care of the route, leaving you free to watch the scenery and prepare for the hike.

A 13-hour day from Reykjavík to the highlands

Pickup begins at 8 a.m. from selected locations around Reykjavík, including central bus stops, the Reykjavík bus terminal, several hotels, and the harbor area. You need to be ready at your chosen spot on time. The vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to arrive, depending on traffic and your pickup location.

The first drive lasts about 105 minutes. This is a useful transition from city to countryside, though you should be ready for a lot of sitting. Free Wi-Fi is available on board, but the real reason to look out the window is the gradual change in scenery.

The schedule includes a stop at Gullfoss before the bus turns toward the highlands. After that, the trip continues for about 80 minutes toward Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll. A further 15-minute ride brings you to Hveradalir.

The return follows the same general route. You stop again at Highland Base, then Gullfoss, before the final 105-minute ride to Reykjavík. In practice, this is a full day, not a quick excursion with a little walking added on. That matters when you are deciding how to fit it into a short Iceland visit.

Gullfoss adds a familiar landmark

Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, and it gives you a 20-minute break early in the day. You can stretch your legs, use facilities, and get a quick look at the falls before the more remote part of the route begins.

The return stop at Gullfoss is also listed as 20 minutes. It can be useful after the hike, but do not count on a long meal break here. One departure had only enough time for a quick bathroom stop and a brief look at the waterfall. If you want a proper lunch, buy food before leaving Reykjavík or use Highland Base.

Gullfoss is not the reason to book this trip. You can visit it on many southern Iceland routes. Its value here is practical as well as scenic: it breaks up a long drive and gives you a recognizable point before the road becomes rougher.

Highland Base is your practical highland stop

Highland Base sits in the Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll. The tour pauses there before and after the hike, with one break of about 20 minutes and another of about 15 minutes.

You can buy snacks or lunch at Highland Base, but the timing is fairly tight. I would not rely on these stops as your only food plan, especially if you need a full meal before hiking. Bring snacks and a water bottle so you are not forced to choose between eating and getting ready for the trail.

This is also where you can stretch after the rougher road section. The stop helps divide the trip into manageable parts, but it does not turn the ride into a relaxed scenic drive. The highland roads can be bumpy, and one departure included extra walking because snow and road conditions kept the vehicle from reaching the intended starting point.

Hveradalir delivers the day’s best scenery

Hveradalir means Valley of the Hot Springs, and the name tells you what to expect. The area contains steaming geothermal ground, hot springs, colorful mountain slopes, snow, and narrow routes through the valley.

Some hot springs are powerful enough that you must view them from a safe distance. Follow your guide closely here. This is not a place for wandering off the trail to get a closer photo.

The usual guided walk lasts about two hours. That is enough time to see the main character of the valley without turning the trip into a full-day trek. You may walk over muddy ground, snow, or uneven volcanic terrain. A calm summer day can make the route feel manageable, while wind, fog, rain, or fresh snow can change the effort required.

The views are not one single grand lookout. They unfold as you move through the valley. Steam may drift across the path. A ridge may appear, vanish in fog, and return as the weather shifts. Glacial rivers and distant peaks add scale to the scene.

A departure in early June encountered substantial snow, which partly covered the mountain colors and forced a longer walk to the trailhead. That can be a drawback if you have a fixed image of bright summer colors, but it can also make the outing feel more remote. By later June, snow was already melting in the area. If seeing the strongest geothermal colors is your priority, later in the season may offer better odds, though Icelandic weather is never fully predictable.

Weather can rewrite the hiking plan

You should treat the planned two-hour hike as a guide, not a guarantee. The route and duration depend on weather and trail conditions. Strong wind, horizontal rain, fog, snow, or mud may slow the group or change the starting point.

One summer departure had heavy wind, rain, and fog but still produced a memorable outing. Another had snow both before and during the hike. A separate trip found the trail quite muddy even with good weather.

That range of conditions is central to the experience. Kerlingarfjöll is not a polished park with predictable footing. You may get bright views, or you may spend part of the walk watching steam and mountain shapes appear through mist. You need to be comfortable with that uncertainty.

The guides help keep different ability levels together. Several departures were praised for patient pacing and for allowing people to enjoy the route without being rushed. Still, the tour is not suited to a low level of fitness, and the terrain can feel more demanding than the word moderate suggests.

The guide and driver matter here

This is a trip where the guide does more than point at a mountain. The drive is long, the roads are rough, and the weather can become serious. A careful driver makes a real difference.

Guides named on recent departures include Isabella, Sven, Rebeka, Ronan, AL, André, and Zack. Isabella was singled out for handling the mountain drive well while keeping the group informed and cared for. Sven was praised for humor and interesting facts. Zack was described as patient and calm during difficult early-season conditions.

That does not mean you will have one of these guides on your departure. It does show the sort of service the tour aims to provide: an English-speaking guide who explains Iceland along the way, manages the hike, and watches the group in changing conditions.

The quality of commentary may vary. One departure would have benefited from more talking during the drive. If you prefer constant narration, bring your own reading or headphones for the quieter sections. If you value room to look out the window, the quieter ride may suit you.

What to wear and carry

Take the packing list seriously. You need warm layers, hiking shoes or sturdy hiking boots, hiking pants, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, a hat, gloves, snacks, and a water bottle.

Good footwear is especially important. Mud can make the path slippery, and snow may cover uneven ground early in the season. Lightweight city trainers are a poor choice for this setting.

Your waterproof layer should handle more than a brief shower. Wind and rain can arrive together, and even a clear start in Reykjavík does not tell you what you will find in the highlands.

A camera is worth carrying, but protect it from rain and spray. The most useful extras are simple: food that you can eat quickly, a dry layer for the ride home, and enough water for the hike.

The minimum age is 10. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or a low level of fitness. The combination of a long ride, rough roads, and uneven walking matters as much as the two-hour trail time.

Is $214 a fair price?

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. The value depends on what you are paying for.

You are buying round-trip transport from Reykjavík, a driver for difficult highland roads, an English-speaking guide, and access to a remote area that is not suited to an ordinary rental car. The day also includes Gullfoss and the use of Highland Base for food and rest.

The price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to rent a suitable vehicle, plan the route, monitor road access, and drive for many hours yourself. It is less appealing if you want a short hike or several hours of independent exploring. About two hours on foot is a modest hiking window for a 13-hour day.

I see this as a practical price for a specialized highland outing, provided Kerlingarfjöll is one of your main Iceland goals. You are not paying for quantity of stops. You are paying to reach one difficult-to-access place safely and return to Reykjavík the same day.

Food and drinks are extra. That is easy to manage, but the short breaks mean you should bring snacks rather than depend entirely on buying lunch on the road.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

You will likely enjoy this tour if you want remote Iceland without self-driving. It is a good fit for people who value unusual geology, broad mountain views, steaming ground, and a guided route more than a relaxed schedule.

It also suits hikers who can manage uneven, muddy, snowy, or windy ground for around two hours. You do not need to be an expert mountaineer, but you should be comfortable walking outdoors in poor weather.

This is less suitable if you dislike long bus rides, need a predictable trail, want a warm indoor day, or have limited mobility. Families should note the minimum age of 10, and parents should judge the full day rather than only the hike.

The trip can also suit photographers, but only if you accept that the weather may hide the best colors. Fog and rain are part of the highland experience, not a rare exception.

Booking and cancellation details

Pickup is included from selected Reykjavík locations, but you are responsible for updating your pickup point at least 48 hours before departure. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available.

Check the starting time when booking, even though the standard pickup begins at 8 a.m. Be ready at your designated stop, and allow patience for the vehicle to reach you.

Should you book the Kerlingarfjöll day tour?

Book it if you want to see one of Iceland’s most unusual mountain areas and you accept that the road time is part of the deal. The steaming Hveradalir valley, colorful rhyolite peaks, snow, and black highland desert offer scenery that is very different from the usual Reykjavík day trips.

Skip it if your ideal day means several short stops, a long lunch, or a gentle walk on a firm path. For the right person, $214 buys access to a remote place that would otherwise demand more planning and a capable vehicle. Just pack for four seasons, carry your own snacks, and expect the weather to have the final word.

FAQ

How long does the Kerlingarfjöll tour last?

The tour lasts about 13 hours, including pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík, driving time, stops at Gullfoss and Highland Base, and the guided hike.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 8 a.m. from the selected location in Reykjavík. Depending on traffic and your location, the vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to arrive.

How long is the hike?

The hike typically lasts about two hours. The exact route and duration depend on trail and weather conditions.

Where does the hike take place?

The hike takes place in Hveradalir, the Valley of the Hot Springs, within the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy snacks or lunch at Gullfoss and Highland Base. Bringing your own snacks is recommended.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing, hiking shoes or boots, hiking pants, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat, gloves, and a water bottle.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 10. The tour is not suitable for children under 10.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people with a low level of fitness.

Is transport included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from selected Reykjavík pickup points is included, along with an English-speaking guide and free Wi-Fi on board.