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Kerlingarfjöll Hiking Day Tour from Reykjavík

Discover Rhyolite Slopes, Hidden Springs, and Untamed Landscapes of the Highlands!

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Kerlingarfjoll geothermal mountains in Iceland

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About tour

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.

Free cancellation

• Up to 24 hours in advance

Lowest price guarantee

• See a lower price? We’ll refund the difference

Highlights

Enjoy a small-group experience
Visit Hveradalir Geothermal Area
Discover hot springs
Explore Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Range
See colorful rhyolite mountains
Soak in glacier views

Included

Guided hiking experience
English-speaking hiking guide
Pick-up and drop-off
Minibus transportation

What to bring

Warm outdoor clothing
Waterproof & windproof jacket and pants
Hiking shoes
Thermal underwear
Warm headwear
Gloves
Camera
Lunch & snacks

Tour Snapshot

Availability June - Sept

Duration 11.5 hours

Departs From REYKJAVÍK/ GULLFOSS

Level Easy

Minimum age 10 years

Ratio 1:19 Guide to client ratio

Meet on Location No

Pickup Yes

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

From

194

Per

Adult

Use Promo Code: HIDDENHIGHLANDS10 Expires: 11:59 PM GMT, August 31, 2026

Don’t miss out — adventures sell fast. Valid for any travel dates.

Enter the promo code at step 2 of checkout to get instant savings.

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

From 215 USD

194

Per Adult

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Itinerary

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.

Pick-up and drop-off information

Pick-up from Reykjavik starts at 8 a.m. We’ll pick you up at your preferred pick-up location, which you have chosen upon booking.

Pick-up from Gullfoss is at approximately 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the Gullfoss Café. You will board the bus traveling from Reykjavik and head to Kerlingarfjöll with the rest of the group.

After the tour, we will drop you off at the location where you were picked up.

Please note

As Kerlingarfjöll is located in Iceland’s remote Highlands, the weather can be highly unpredictable—even in the peak of summer. Temperatures typically range from 2°C to 20°C (35,6°F–68°F), and it's not unusual to encounter snow on the trails or experience snowfall in mid-July. Please note that the trail selection and hiking duration are subject to change based on weather, trail, and road conditions.

The duration of the tour depends heavily on the road and weather conditions.

Attractions Map

Explore the top attractions of the tour with our interactive map

FAQ

How is it best to be ready for a pick-up for a tour with Arctic Adventures?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

Do you offer any family friendly tours, for younger children?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.