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Karl og Kerling — Jökulsárgljúfur in north-iceland
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Karl og Kerling — Jökulsárgljúfur

Easy 2–3 km walk from Hljóðaklettar to striking 'troll' rock formations beside Jökulsá á Fjöllum.

About

About Karl og Kerling — Jökulsárgljúfur

Easy 2–3 km walk from Hljóðaklettar to striking 'troll' rock formations beside Jökulsá á Fjöllum.

Add a short scenic walk to a Hljóðaklettar visit and see one of Jökulsárgljúfur's characterful named rock formations.

Karl og Kerling are a pair of named rock formations standing by Jökulsá á Fjöllum near Hljóðaklettar in the Jökulsárgljúfur section of Vatnajökull National Park. Their human-like forms inspired the traditional names Karl and Kerling — the old man and old woman. The official V5 trail begins from the parking area at Hljóðaklettar/Vesturdalur and follows an easy route south to a viewpoint overlooking the formations. Returning from that viewpoint makes the walk about two kilometres. Visitors who continue down toward Karl og Kerling complete a route of around three kilometres, but that extension is classified as more challenging. The walk is an easy addition to a Hljóðaklettar visit and also offers views of Jökulsá and the surrounding canyon landscape. Road access to the Hljóðaklettar area is seasonal, so conditions should be checked outside summer.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Karl og Kerling is a remarkable feature of North Iceland, Iceland — a place where ancient geology, Norse heritage and dramatic natural forces meet. Iceland is one of the world's youngest countries geologically, yet one of the oldest in terms of human storytelling. Every location here has a story worth knowing.

Did You Know?

The easier option is about 2 km return to the viewpoint; descending closer to Karl og Kerling extends the route to about 3 km and is more demanding.

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Karl og Kerling — Jökulsárgljúfur — Tours & Guide (2026) | GoIceTravel