From Reykjavik: Kerlingarfjöll Hiking Day Tour

Kerlingarfjöll is the sort of place that makes Iceland feel properly wild. The route leaves Reykjavík, passes Gullfoss, then climbs onto rough highland roads toward colorful rhyolite peaks, snowy fields, glacial rivers, and the steaming Hveradalir valley. The main reward is remote scenery you cannot reach in a standard car.

I like the smart pacing, with stops at Gullfoss and Highland Base breaking up the long ride. I also like the guides, including Isabella, Sven, Ronan, and Zack, who have been praised for safe driving, useful stories, and calm care on difficult trails. The drawback is the day’s length: 13 hours for about two hours of hiking, with food stops that can feel short.

Key points to know before booking

• Hveradalir is the star: Walk among steaming vents, hot springs, and colorful rhyolite mountains in one of Iceland’s most striking geothermal areas.
• The highland road is part of the adventure: Expect a long coach ride and rough F-roads, with jolts and delays possible.
• The hike is usually about two hours: Weather and trail conditions decide the exact route and walking time.
• Gullfoss adds value: You stop at Iceland’s famous waterfall on both the outward and return journeys.
• Come ready for real weather: Wind, rain, fog, snow, mud, and slippery ground are all possible, even in summer.
• Food is not included: You can buy snacks or lunch at Gullfoss and Highland Base, but bring your own food and water too.

Why Kerlingarfjöll feels different from Iceland’s usual day trips

Many Reykjavík excursions stay on paved roads and follow the familiar Golden Circle. This trip uses Gullfoss as a gateway, then heads into Iceland’s central highlands, where roads become rougher and the scenery grows emptier.

Kerlingarfjöll is a volcanic mountain range with a strong geothermal character. Hveradalir means Valley of the Hot Springs, and the name tells you what to expect: steam rising from the ground, hot springs tucked among the hills, and ground that looks active rather than settled.

The colors come from the mountains themselves. Rhyolite gives the slopes shades of ochre, rust, cream, and muted red, while snow and dark volcanic soil add sharp contrast. The weather can change the entire mood in minutes. In clear conditions, you get wide views across peaks and highland desert. In fog and rain, the same valley feels stark and almost secretive.

That changeability is part of the appeal, but it also calls for sensible expectations. You are not booking a polished boardwalk attraction. You are visiting a remote mountain area where the trail may be muddy, snowy, windy, or partly blocked.

The 8 a.m. Reykjavík pickup and the long road inland

Pickup begins at 8 a.m. from selected locations around Reykjavík, including central bus stops, the Reykjavík Bus Terminal, several hotels, and Skarfabakki Harbour. You need to be at your chosen stop on time, but allow patience as the coach may take up to 30 minutes to arrive depending on your location and traffic.

The first ride lasts about 105 minutes. That is a useful reminder that this is a full-day expedition, not a quick outing from town. Free Wi-Fi is included on board, which helps during the long stretches between stops, though I would still bring offline maps, a book, or a charged camera.

The route gives you a gradual change from city and paved road to open countryside and highland terrain. You may see broad black volcanic desert, snowy ground, glacial rivers, and highland water along the way. The road itself becomes part of the story. Reviews describe the F-roads as rugged, with jolts, mud, and occasional access problems.

That matters if you are sensitive to motion or expect a smooth coach ride. It also explains one reason the tour costs $214. You are paying for a vehicle capable of reaching a remote area, a driver who must handle demanding roads, and a guide who leads the hike once you arrive.

Gullfoss gives you a useful first stop

The first stop is Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, with about 20 minutes to rest. This is not the main event, and the stop is too short for a leisurely visit, but it breaks up the first road section and lets you stretch your legs.

You also have a chance to buy food here. Do not count on a long meal. One account found the food breaks just long enough for the bathroom and a quick look at the falls, so I would bring a packed sandwich, snacks, and a filled water bottle rather than rely entirely on this stop.

After Gullfoss, the coach continues for roughly 80 minutes before reaching Highland Base. The scenery becomes more stark as you leave the normal sightseeing circuit behind. This is the point when the trip starts to feel less like a standard Iceland day tour and more like an outing into the interior.

Highland Base is the practical pause before Hveradalir

Highland Base sits in Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll. The first stop lasts about 20 minutes, giving you time to stretch, use facilities, and buy snacks or lunch before the hike.

Use this pause wisely. Check your layers, tighten your hiking shoes, fill your water bottle, and make sure your waterproof jacket is easy to reach. You may not want to discover that your gloves are buried under a seat once the wind picks up.

The coach then drives about 15 minutes to Hveradalir. That short final ride is useful because it brings you close to the walking area instead of turning the entire day into a long approach hike. Still, road conditions can alter the plan. In early June, snow and road access meant one group had to walk farther than expected to reach the trailhead, creating a longer and more demanding hike.

Hveradalir is the reason to make the trip

The two-hour guided visit to Hveradalir is the heart of the day. You walk through a geothermal valley surrounded by Kerlingarfjöll’s rhyolite mountains, with steam vents and hot springs scattered through the terrain.

Some springs are powerful and hot enough that you must admire them from a safe distance. Follow your guide closely and stay on the route you are given. Steam can hide unstable ground, and wet volcanic soil can become slippery or muddy.

The hike is described as moderate, but that word needs context. It is manageable for a reasonably fit person with proper hiking footwear, yet it can become challenging in snow, rain, wind, fog, or mud. One June outing involved snow cover and an extra walking stretch because the vehicle could not use the intended road. Another took place in horizontal rain and heavy wind.

You should be ready to walk on uneven ground for around two hours. The tour does not promise a fixed route because the guide must respond to weather and trail conditions. That flexibility is sensible in the Icelandic highlands, but it means you should not book this as a guaranteed sunny viewpoint walk.

In good weather, you can take in broad views of the mountain range, geothermal colors, snowy ridges, and distant highland terrain. In poor weather, views may disappear behind fog, but the steam, rain, and raw ground still create a memorable setting. The best approach is to treat clear views as a bonus rather than a promise.

The guide is an important part of the experience. The supplied feedback gives repeated praise to guides including Isabella, Sven, Ronan, Rebeka, André, Zack, and a guide called AL. Specific strengths include safe driving, patience with different walking speeds, interesting information, humor, and care during difficult conditions.

You may also get some time to look around independently. One account appreciated roughly 30 minutes to walk without the guide, although the exact free time can depend on the route and weather. That small amount of freedom is valuable after a guided walk, letting you take photographs or simply stop and watch the steam.

The return journey is long but sensibly broken up

After Hveradalir, the coach returns to Highland Base for another 15-minute break. This is another chance to buy food, use facilities, and change wet layers if needed.

The ride back to Gullfoss takes about 80 minutes. You then get a second 20-minute stop at the waterfall before the final 105-minute ride to Reykjavík. The repeated Gullfoss stop may feel less exciting than the first one, especially after a tiring hike, but it divides the return journey into more manageable pieces.

Even with these breaks, you should expect to arrive in Reykjavík in the evening. This is a demanding day on the clock. If you have dinner reservations, a flight, or another timed activity, leave plenty of room after the scheduled return.

A vehicle problem has caused at least one delayed return, so do not schedule anything important immediately afterward. Mechanical issues are not normal trip features, but remote highland travel gives you less room for quick alternatives when something goes wrong.

Is $214 a fair price?

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing bus. It can still be good value if you want Kerlingarfjöll without renting a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle, planning the route, checking highland road access, or handling the rough drive yourself.

The price includes round-trip transportation, an English-speaking guide, and Wi-Fi on board. It does not include food or drinks. You get access to a remote part of Iceland, a guided walk in Hveradalir, and stops at Gullfoss and Highland Base.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want lots of hiking time, two hours may feel brief after the long journey. If you want a safe and practical way to see Kerlingarfjöll in one day, the arrangement makes more sense. You trade independence and a longer stay for transport, guidance, and less planning.

The tour also saves you from making a risky judgment about highland roads. Conditions can change, and the vehicle route may need to stop short of the planned walking point. A guide and capable driver are useful here, especially for visitors unfamiliar with Iceland’s interior.

What to wear and pack for the highlands

Treat the clothing list seriously. Warm clothing, hiking shoes, gloves, a hat, hiking pants, waterproof jacket and pants, a water bottle, and snacks are all specifically recommended.

I would dress in layers rather than depend on one thick coat. Conditions can shift from mild sunshine to cold rain and strong wind, and wet clothing becomes uncomfortable fast during a long day outdoors.

Your shoes matter most. Mud has been reported on the trails, and snow can remain into June. Trainers are a poor choice. Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip.

Pack food even though you can buy it at Gullfoss and Highland Base. The breaks are limited, and a major hike is easier when you are not waiting for the next food opportunity. Bring a camera too, but protect it from rain and blowing spray.

Who should book this Kerlingarfjöll trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see Iceland beyond the standard Golden Circle and do not want to drive the highlands yourself. It suits people who enjoy dramatic geology, changing weather, rough roads, and a focused hike rather than a relaxed day beside cafés and paved viewpoints.

It is also a good fit if you value a guide. The strongest part of the service is not only getting to Kerlingarfjöll, but having someone explain the setting, watch the group, and make sensible decisions when weather or road conditions shift.

I would think twice if you have a low fitness level, limited mobility, or dislike long vehicle rides. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or low fitness, and children must be at least 10 years old.

I would also avoid booking it as a casual add-on during a packed Reykjavík schedule. Thirteen hours is a serious commitment, and the return time can be affected by traffic, weather, road access, or vehicle trouble.

The cancellation policy gives you some flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. You are responsible for updating your pickup location at least 48 hours before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Kerlingarfjöll is high on your Iceland list and you want a guided, no-rental-car way to reach it. The colorful geothermal valley, snowy peaks, glacial rivers, and remote setting offer something very different from Reykjavík’s usual day trips.

Skip it if you want a short outing, a guaranteed dry trail, or a long lunch. The ride is lengthy, the hike can be tougher than the moderate label suggests, and weather may hide the views.

For the best chance of a comfortable day, bring serious waterproof gear, sturdy boots, lunch, and patience. If you can accept the rough road and the possibility of changing conditions, the trip offers a memorable look at Iceland’s highlands for a reasonable price.

FAQ

How long is the Kerlingarfjöll hiking tour?

The tour lasts about 13 hours, with pickup in Reykjavík beginning at 8 a.m. Arrival back in Reykjavík is scheduled for the evening.

How much time do you spend hiking?

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

What is Hveradalir?

Hveradalir means Valley of the Hot Springs. It is a large geothermal valley surrounded by the rhyolite mountains of Kerlingarfjöll, with steaming areas and hot springs.

Is food included?

No. You can purchase food and snacks at Gullfoss and Highland Base, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Bringing snacks and water is recommended.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing, hiking shoes, hiking pants, a waterproof jacket and pants, a hat, gloves, and other outdoor layers. Mud, snow, wind, rain, and fog are possible.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 10 years. Children under 10 cannot join this tour.

Is the hike suitable for people with limited mobility?

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

Is transportation included?

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