Explore the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range in Iceland’s central Highlands and experience wild landscapes beyond the beaten path. Walk through steaming valleys, past ice-capped rhyolite peaks, and along glacier-fed rivers on a guided day hike from Reykjavík or Gullfoss.

Pick-up starts in Reykjavík at around 8:00 a.m. On the way to the Highlands, we’ll stop at Gullfoss (about 10:15–10:30 a.m.) to pick up guests joining there. Once the group is gathered, we’ll drive to the vibrant Kerlingarfjöll volcanic mountain range in central Iceland. It is a picturesque paradise filled with steaming geothermal valleys and gushing glacial rivers. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the vast lava fields and glacier-topped mountains. 

We’ll stop to rest and stretch our legs at the Highland Base in the Ásgarður Valley, right at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll.  

We’ll then head to the stunning Hveradalir valley, one of Iceland’s largest and most active geothermal areas. True to its name, “Valley of the Hot Springs,” the area is alive with bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and vividly colored hot springs. Framed by rust-colored rhyolite mountains, the landscape is especially striking in early summer, when patches of lingering snow create a beautiful contrast. From the car park, we’ll hike down to the valley and spend about two hours exploring the otherworldly terrain on an easy trail.