Kerlingarfjöll Mountains

Kerlingarfjöll rises in Iceland's central highlands as a range of rhyolite peaks streaked with orange, red, and yellow mineral deposits, cut through by the Hveradalir geothermal valley where steaming vents and hot streams thread between the colorful slopes. Unlike the flatter volcanic terrain of Landmannalaugar further south, Kerlingarfjöll's landscape is more mountainous and dramatic, with hiking trails climbing between peaks that stayed largely covered by a small glacier until recent decades. A network of marked trails of varying length fans out from a small highland lodge, ranging from an hour-long loop through the geothermal valley to longer full-day routes higher into the range. A geothermal river near the lodge is warm enough for bathing after a day of hiking. Because the area sits along an unpaved highland road requiring a 4WD vehicle and is only accessible for a few months each summer, it remains far less visited than more famous highland sites, despite offering comparably dramatic scenery. The lodge provides the only accommodation and dining options in the immediate area, and most visitors either day-trip from a highland base or stay overnight to explore more of the trail network.