Kjölur Route

About Kjölur Route

Kjölur is the highland route across the middle of Iceland, a gravel road that runs between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers from Gullfoss in the south to Blöndudalur in the north. On the way, you cross a bare plateau of gravel, sand and lava with ice caps on both horizons, and it is the gentlest way to drive through the interior.

The road itself, Kjalvegur, is about 165 kilometers long and is numbered 35 by the road authority, though many maps and rental companies still call it F35. Its rivers are bridged, and Iceland's Environment Agency says most cars can manage it in summer. Even so, long stretches are rough gravel, so check your rental terms before you set out, since many contracts allow only 4x4 vehicles on it.

Kjalvegur opens in summer only, usually in June or July once the ground has dried, and closes again when the fall snow arrives. Opening dates change from year to year, so check umferdin.is on the morning you leave. Without stops, the crossing takes about five hours, and services along the way are limited to the highland huts, so fill your tank before you start.

People have crossed Kjölur since the settlement era, and for centuries it was a main link between the north and south of the country. The old horse trail, Kjalvegur hinn forni, still runs a little to the west for hikers and riders. Near Beinahóll, the Reynistaður brothers and their companions died on the crossing in the late 18th century, and the spot is still said to be haunted.

The main stop is Hveravellir, a geothermal area with a hot pool and huts in the northern half of the route. Kerlingarfjöll, a mountain range with steaming hot springs, sits on a side road off the southern half, and Hvítárvatn lake lies below an outlet glacier of Langjökull near the south end. Plan a full day if you want to stop, or split the crossing with a night at Hveravellir or Kerlingarfjöll.