Kverkfjoll

Region: Highland
Coordinates: 64.65° N 16.712° W

About Kverkfjoll

Kverkfjoll is a mountain massif underneath and on the northern edge of the icecap Vatnajökull. It is clearly visible from the main road in the north on a fine day. It contains two high mountains (1920 and 1860m) and a high temperature area (10 km²). Just above the thermal area one of the huts of The Glaciological Society is situated (1977). Under the glacier snout filling the gap between the high mountains, a warm stream runs through a 30 km long ice tunnel, which has been frequented by adventurers, who have also bathed in the warm water. Those, who enter the ice cave always run great risks, because of cave ins. The mountain massif is very volcanically active and several eruptions have taken place there during historical times without any visible signs of lava fields on the surface. The latest eruption probably took place in 1930. The jeep track from the main road in the north to the tourist hut in Kverkfjoll is about 90 km long. The slowest part of it begins after the bridge of river Kreppa and the stretch from there to the hut, between the two glacial rivers is called Krepputunga. The landscape and surroundings there are so unique, that people have not been able to describe their impressions afterwards. There is a crossing south of the Hvannalindir oasis.

The track to the northwest leads to Askja. From the hut in Kverkfjoll it is sometimes possible to drive all the way up to the glacier’s edge, if the rivers on the way are not too swollen. A hike across the glacier tongue, up to the high temperature area, should not be undertaken by unaccompanied, inexperienced people. The hike is rather strenuous and takes the whole day, but it is definitely worth the effort and simply unforgettable. Scheduled trips to Kverkfjoll during summer start from the town Husavik.

After the establishment of Europe’s largest national park, Vatnajokull, on June 7th, 2008, Kverkfjoll became one of the centres for the NP wardens.

Route 902 to Kverkfjoll via Route F-88

Practical Information before entering the highlands

Kverkfjoll in Icelandic

Photo Credit: Pietro