Kerlingarfjöll
Kerlingarfjöll is a volcanic mountain range in Iceland's central highlands, sitting between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers on the Kjölur highland route. It is best known for its vividly coloured rhyolite peaks in shades of orange, red, and green, and for the Hveradalir geothermal area at its heart, where steam vents, boiling mud pools, and mineral-stained ground create one of the most surreal landscapes in the country. Declared a protected nature reserve in 2020, Kerlingarfjöll is accessible only in summer via highland F-roads and is a full-day destination from either Reykjavík or Akureyri.
Coloured Mountains and Boiling Earth in Iceland's Remote Highland Interior
Kerlingarfjöll is a mountain range formed by volcanic activity over the past 10,000 years, covering around 150 square kilometres of the central highlands. The mountains are composed largely of rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock that weathers into vivid shades of orange, rust-red, yellow, and green depending on the mineral content of each layer. The result is a colour palette that looks almost artificially saturated in good light, and that becomes even more dramatic when contrasted with the white of the small glaciers and ice caps that still cling to the higher peaks. The range was declared a nature reserve in August 2020, covering 344 square kilometres of highland terrain. It sits in the shadow of Hofsjökull glacier to the east and Langjökull to the west, in the geologically active heart of Iceland's interior.
The Hveradalir valley is the geothermal centrepiece of Kerlingarfjöll and one of the most concentrated geothermal areas in Iceland. Steam rises constantly from fumaroles in the valley floor, boiling mud pools bubble at the surface, and the ground is stained with sulphur yellows and iron reds across wide stretches of exposed earth. A network of well-marked hiking trails winds through the area, ranging from short valley-floor walks to longer ridge routes with wide views across the highland interior. The trails are colour-coded and generally well maintained during the summer season. A Highland Base resort sits at the foot of the mountains and provides accommodation ranging from huts and camping to hotel rooms, along with a small set of geothermal baths fed by the area's natural hot springs.
Kerlingarfjöll is accessible only in summer, typically from late June to early September, when the highland F-roads are open. The main access route is Road F35, the Kjölur highland road, which runs between Gullfoss on the Golden Circle and Blönduós in North Iceland without requiring river crossings, making it one of the more manageable highland routes for well-equipped vehicles. A 4WD is required. The drive from Reykjavík takes around three to three and a half hours. Day tours from both Reykjavík and Akureyri operate during the summer season. The area is not accessible by standard car and should not be attempted without a highland-rated vehicle.
