Kerlingarfjoll Travel guide

Region: Highland
Coordinates: 64.7165932° N 19.52294395° W

The mountain massif Kerlingarfjoll (The Ogress’ Mountains; 800 – 1500 m) is the main ornament in the chain of mountains and glaciers framing the Kjolur area. It covers about 150 km² area southeast of The Temple Glacier (Hofsjokull). It derives its name from a single, 25 m high and dark hyaloclastite pillar protruding from the light colored, rhyolite scree of the peak Kerlingartindur. The aforementioned types of rock represent the main structure of the mountain massif. The small glacier patches up there have been retreating fast and now the summer skiing school, which was operated for decades, exists no more. Its complex of houses is now being used to accommodate travelers in the area.

This vast and colorful rhyolite mountain massif (150 km²), created by sub-glacial volcanic activity, is situated south of the round glacier Hofsjokull in the central highlands. It derives its name from a 25 m high and dark basaltic pillar protruding from a rhyolite scree slope in the southwestern part. Its peaks rise 800-1500 m above sea level, some of them very steeply 600-700 m above the immediate surroundings.

The mountain massif is deeply carved with gorges, canyons and valleys and the main fissure directions of this volcanic area is NE-SW except for the northern part where it is NW-SE. The massif is split by the so-called Hot Spring Valleys from the west to the east. The mountain massif contains one of the largest high temperature areas of the country. There are no Holocene lava fields within the area, but just 4 km NE is the thoelite Illahraun. According to areal pictures, it may contain two calderas, one in the northern part and one in the southern.

Kerlingarfjoll Hiking

Accommodations at Kjolur Route

Kjolur self drive

Map Kjolur Route

Weather forecast

For information on road conditions, see https://www.vegagerdin.is/en or call the Road Administration Information Line (+354) 1777

Kerlingarfjoll in Icelandic

Mountain Huts in Icelandic

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