Sjálfakstursleiðin
Kjölur & Kerlingarfjöll
Across Iceland between Langjökull and Hofsjökull
Cross Iceland between Langjökull and Hofsjökull with Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll as the signature stops.
Kjölur is one of Iceland’s classic interior crossings, but it should still be treated as a Highlands journey rather than a shortcut between north and south. Kerlingarfjöll and Hveravellir are the two major reasons to slow down. Start with a full tank, use a vehicle permitted for the roads you plan to drive, and make road opening and weather checks part of the itinerary.
Winter Warning
Do not attempt Kjölur or Kerlingarfjöll as a normal winter self-drive route while mountain roads are closed.
Must See
Main Highlights
Kerlingarfjöll
Colourful geothermal mountains and the route’s main hiking destination.
Hveravellir
Geothermal area and a natural break between the glaciers on the long interior crossing.
Meðfram leiðinni
Stöðvar og uppáhöld
2 staðir sem þarf að sjá
Kerlingarfjöll
Highland mountain range with colourful rhyolite terrain and geothermal valleys.
Hveravellir
Hveravellir er fjarlæg jarðhitasvæði á miðhálendi Íslands, staðsett meðfram Kjölfjarðarleið (F35). Heitar uppsprettur, hverir og kraumandi leirpottar setja svip sinn á landslagið, með áberandi hvítum steinefnamyndunum og gufustrókum sem rísa upp úr hinu hrjúfa landsvæði. Náttúrulegur heitur pottur, sem er sérstaklega fallegur með sínum heiðbláa lit, býður upp á eina mest heillandi baðupplifun Íslands undir berum himni.
Dagsáætlun
Ráðlögð ferðaáætlun
08:00
Enter Kjölur
Start with a full tank, food, water and current road/weather checks.
10:30
Kerlingarfjöll
Allow several hours if hiking is a priority.
15:00
Continue across Kjölur
Keep enough time margin for rough-road driving and weather.
17:00
Hveravellir
Geothermal stop and break before the final section of the crossing.
19:00
Exit the Highlands
Do not let a late schedule push you into unsafe driving conditions.
Self-Drive Plans
Alternative Itinerary Options
Choose the plan that fits your schedule.
1-Day Kjölur Crossing
Long summer dayFor experienced drivers who keep hiking short and use the route primarily as a scenic highland crossing.
Start early and keep significant weather and fuel margin.
Recommended 2-Day Kjölur
2 daysKerlingarfjöll on day one, Hveravellir and the remainder of the crossing on day two.
Much safer and more enjoyable than forcing long hikes and the full crossing into one day.
Before You Go
Practical Information
Trip Duration
1–2 days
Starting Point
Gullfoss or North Iceland
Best Time to Visit
Summer only, when the mountain roads are officially open. Opening dates vary with snow and ground conditions, so always use current road status rather than a fixed calendar date.
Road Conditions
This is a Highlands route with rough gravel and mountain-road conditions. Use a suitable permitted 4x4 and check road opening and surface conditions immediately before departure.
Weather
The route is exposed and high-elevation. Strong wind, cold, rain and low visibility can arrive quickly in summer.
Fuel
There is no fuel on the Kjölur highland crossing. Fill the tank before entering the Highlands and keep a reserve for delays or detours.
Food
Carry food and water for the crossing. Seasonal services at highland destinations should be treated as a bonus, not your only supply plan.
Parking
Use established parking at Kerlingarfjöll, Hveravellir and signed viewpoints. Never drive off-road to create your own stop.
Toilets
Basic seasonal facilities are available at major highland service areas, but not along every section of the route.
Safety
Stay on legal roads, keep away from unmarked geothermal ground, carry warm layers and water, and turn back if visibility or road conditions deteriorate.
Accessibility
Road surfaces are rough and many geothermal or hiking areas have uneven ground. Accessibility is limited compared with normal lowland sightseeing routes.
Winter Driving
The route is seasonal. Closed mountain roads must not be driven even if the weather looks good at the start point.
Opening Hours
No fixed opening date applies. Check official mountain-road status before departure.
Book Now
Tours & Activities
8 hours 30 minutesLandmannalaugar Highlands | Day Tour | Midgard
Midgard Adventure
Frá
45,000 ISK
10 hoursInto the Highlands: Private Landmannalaugar Day Tour – Now Available for Summer 2025
Daytrips / TA Sport Travel
Frá
275,000 ISK
12 hoursPrivate Super Jeep - Landmannalaugar Highland Adventure
Amazing Tours Iceland
Frá
299,000 ISK
11 hoursPrivate Landmannalaugar Super Jeep 4x4 Tour from Reykjavik - Highland Escape
Nordur Travel Services ehf
Frá
250,000 ISK
12 hoursAskja & Herðubreið Super Jeep Tour
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
Frá
59,900 ISK
9 hours 30 minutesPrivate Day Trip in Landmannalaugar South Region area on a 4x4 truck
FG private tours
Frá
190,000 ISK
Innherjaþekking
Ferðaráð
Use a rental vehicle explicitly permitted on the roads you plan to drive.
There is no fuel on the Kjölur highland crossing, so fill up before entering the Highlands.
Check road opening status and weather immediately before departure.
Carry food, water and warm layers even on a good summer forecast.
Plan two days if you want substantial hiking at Kerlingarfjöll.
Do not drive onto closed roads or off marked tracks.
Gistirými
Hótel meðfram leiðinni
Find Hotels in Iceland
From cozy Reykjavík guesthouses to remote Highland lodges — thousands of properties with free cancellation and best price guarantee.
Rent a car for this self-drive route
Self-drive is the best way to follow this route. Browse vehicle types, then search real availability and prices on DiscoverCars.
- Smábílar / sparneytnir
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Ódýrasti kosturinn fyrir bæjarakstur og malbikaða vegi.
Finna bíla - Millistórir smábílar
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Aðeins meira rými og þægindi, enn auðvelt að leggja.
Finna bíla - Millistærð / fjölskyldubílar
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Þægilegur í lengri ferðir um hringveginn með farangur.
Finna bíla - Jepplingar (SUV)
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Meiri veghæð og öruggari akstur.
Finna bíla
Flokkamyndir fyrir leit eru dæmamyndir frá DiscoverCars, ekki rauntímaframboð. Raunverulegir bílar og verð koma úr þinni eigin leit með dagsetningum. GoIceTravel kann að fá þóknun án aukakostnaðar.
Nearby
Nearby Attractions
Kerlingarfjöll
Highland mountain range with colourful rhyolite terrain and geothermal valleys.
Hveravellir
Hveravellir er fjarlæg jarðhitasvæði á miðhálendi Íslands, staðsett meðfram Kjölfjarðarleið (F35). Heitar uppsprettur, hverir og kraumandi leirpottar setja svip sinn á landslagið, með áberandi hvítum steinefnamyndunum og gufustrókum sem rísa upp úr hinu hrjúfa landsvæði. Náttúrulegur heitur pottur, sem er sérstaklega fallegur með sínum heiðbláa lit, býður upp á eina mest heillandi baðupplifun Íslands undir berum himni.
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Do I need a 4x4 for Kjölur and Kerlingarfjöll?+
Plan this as a Highlands 4x4 route and confirm your rental agreement allows the exact mountain roads in your itinerary.
Is there fuel on Kjölur?+
No dependable fuel is available on the crossing. Start with a full tank and plan conservatively.
When does Kjölur open?+
There is no guaranteed opening date. Mountain roads open when conditions allow, so check official road status immediately before departure.
Can I do Kjölur in one day?+
Yes in good summer conditions, but it becomes a long driving day. Two days is much better if Kerlingarfjöll hiking is important.
Can I drive Kjölur in winter?+
Not as a normal independent self-drive route while the mountain roads are closed.
What are the two main stops?+
Kerlingarfjöll and Hveravellir are the signature destinations and deserve most of your non-driving time.
Vilt þú aðlaga þessa leið?
Smíðaðu þína eigin Kjölur & Kerlingarfjöll ferðaáætlun með gervigreindarlega ferðaskipuleggjandanum. Bættu við stöðvum, hótelum og ferðum.
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