Kerlingarfjöll Highlands Day Tour in a 4X4 from Akureyri

Kerlingarfjöll is the sort of place that makes Iceland feel almost unreal: rhyolite mountains in copper, orange, and cream, cut by ravines and glacial passes. This 12-hour 4×4 trip takes you from Akureyri into the remote Kjölur highlands, with a hot-spring stop at Hveravellir and several hours at Kerlingarfjöll.

I like the small-group feel and the mix of scenery, geology, and bathing. I also like that transport starts at your Akureyri hotel, since reaching these highland roads on your own takes planning and a suitable vehicle. The catch is the long drive, roughly four hours each way, so this is a full day in a vehicle rather than a quick outing.

Key points at a glance

• Hveravellir hot spring: Walk past fumaroles and bubbling mud before soaking in naturally warm water.
• Kjölur route: Travel between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers through one of Iceland’s great interior routes.
• Kerlingarfjöll colors: Expect rhyolite peaks, ravines, snowdrifts, and wide highland views.
• Long but rewarding day: Pickup begins around 8am, with return to Akureyri near 8pm.
• Useful small-group format: The tour is presented as a personal 4×4 outing, though the booking information also lists a maximum of 12 people, so confirm the expected group size.
• Bring the right gear: Sturdy walking shoes, a swimsuit, and a towel are essential.

Why Kerlingarfjöll makes such a strong day trip

Iceland has plenty of easy-to-reach scenery around its ring road. Kerlingarfjöll is different. It sits in the central highlands, far from ordinary towns and paved-road sightseeing, and the journey itself is part of the experience.

The route follows the Kjölur highlands between Langjökull and Hofsjökull, two of Iceland’s major ice caps. You’ll spend hours watching the scenery shift from settled northern Iceland to broad lava fields, glacial views, and empty mountain country. The ride is not just a transfer to the main stop. It shows you a side of Iceland that most short day trips from Akureyri never reach.

This tour suits you if you want a strong sense of place rather than a string of brief photo stops. It also suits anyone who would rather let a local driver handle the route and vehicle. The roads into the highlands are not the sort of roads you casually tackle in a standard rental car, and the 4×4 makes the trip possible without putting you in charge of the driving.

The tradeoff is clear. You pay $535.83 per person, and you spend much of the day on the road. That price covers the driver-guide, hotel pickup, and return transport, but not food or drinks. For a short excursion, it would feel steep. For a private-feeling, full-day journey into a difficult-to-reach part of Iceland, it can make good sense, particularly if you value convenience and expert driving.

An 8am departure from Akureyri

Pickup is scheduled for 8am, with up to 15 minutes of flexibility while the vehicle collects you. The listed starting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels on Hafnarstræti, though hotel pickup is offered. If you are not using a pickup location, Star Travel is listed as the meeting point.

You should eat something before leaving or carry a simple breakfast. Food and drinks are not included, and the day runs until about 8pm. Lunch can be purchased at restaurants in Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll, but you should not expect a wide range of choices in such a remote setting.

The vehicle is a 4×4, which matters here. The highland route is remote, and the rougher roads and changing conditions are best left to an experienced driver. One of Star Travel’s guides, Reynir, is specifically noted for friendly company, careful driving, and clear explanations about nature. Guides can vary, but a good driver-guide makes a long road day much more enjoyable.

The Kjölur route between two glaciers

The journey follows the Kjölur route between Langjökull and Hofsjökull. From the window, you’ll see the scenery open out into the central interior, with lava fields, distant ice, and broad stretches of dark volcanic ground.

Your guide provides context about the geology and natural features along the way. The exact roadside stops can depend on conditions and timing, but the trip includes opportunities to get out, stretch your legs, and take photographs.

This is where you need to set realistic expectations. The drive to Kerlingarfjöll takes about four hours, and the return is similarly long. If you dislike sitting in a vehicle, this tour may test your patience. If you see the journey as a way to watch Iceland change by the mile, it becomes one of the day’s main pleasures.

The small-group format helps. The experience is described as limited to four people, although the additional booking information gives a maximum of 12 participants. That discrepancy is worth checking before you pay. Either way, this is not presented as a large coach excursion, and a smaller vehicle makes it easier to stop, ask questions, and adjust the pace.

Hveravellir: fumaroles, lava, and a warm pool

The first major stop is Hveravellir, a high-temperature geothermal area set among ancient lava fields. You’ll walk past smoking fumaroles and bubbling mud pools, with the smell and steam making the volcanic activity feel close at hand.

The geology here is easy to appreciate without a technical lecture. Hot water and steam rise through the ground, while the surrounding lava field and distant Langjökull create a stark setting. It is one of those Icelandic places where the ground itself seems active.

The visit includes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in the area. That gives you time to walk, take photographs, and use the natural hot spring. The pool is naturally warm rather than a polished spa facility, so bring a swimsuit and towel and expect a simple outdoor bathing experience.

The setting is the real appeal. You can soak while looking across the Kjalhraun lava field toward Langjökull, with open highland scenery around you. It is a good counterpoint to the cold, exposed feel of the interior.

A few practical points matter. You’ll need to change into swimwear, and there is no indication that towels or bathing equipment are supplied. Do not leave your swimsuit and towel in your hotel room. Also, the water is described as naturally warm, not as having a guaranteed temperature that will suit everyone.

Kerlingarfjöll and its fiery-colored mountains

After Hveravellir, the tour continues to the Kerlingarfjöll highland resort. This is the main scenic stop, with around three hours to appreciate the area, walk, and eat lunch at your own expense.

Kerlingarfjöll is famous for its unusual rhyolite mountains. Rhyolite often produces pale, red, yellow, and orange tones, and here those colors mix with dark ravines, snowdrifts, and glacial passes. The result is very different from the black volcanic scenery found in many other parts of Iceland.

You’ll have time to walk through the area rather than simply step out for a ten-minute photograph. That makes the three-hour stop valuable. You can take in the mountain forms, follow available walking routes, and let the scenery change as clouds and light move across the peaks.

The word highland is important here. Conditions can be cooler and rougher than in Akureyri, even during summer. Sturdy walking shoes are specifically required, and sensible outdoor clothing will make the stop more comfortable. The supplied information does not promise a particular hiking route or distance, so think of this as scenic walking rather than a demanding trek.

Lunch is not included, but restaurants are available at Kerlingarfjöll. Since this is a remote area, plan your timing around the meal stop and carry water or snacks if you prefer more choice. You will not be able to treat this like a city lunch break with many nearby alternatives.

How much value do you get for $535.83?

At $535.83 per person, this is an expensive day tour. You are paying for distance, a capable 4×4, a driver-guide, hotel pickup, and access to a remote interior route that can be awkward to arrange independently.

The strongest value comes if you are staying in Akureyri for a limited time and want to see the highlands without renting a suitable vehicle. You avoid navigation, fuel planning, road decisions, and the worry of driving in remote conditions. You also gain a guide who can explain the geology and natural setting as you go.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to visit a hot spring. Akureyri and other parts of Iceland offer less expensive bathing options, and Hveravellir is only one part of a very long day. You are buying the entire highland journey, not just a soak.

The tour becomes more attractive for couples or small groups who prefer a personal vehicle to a coach. It is also useful for photographers and scenery-focused visitors who want time at Kerlingarfjöll rather than a quick stop on a larger circuit. Since food is extra, add lunch and drinks to your budget.

The tour is booked an average of 139 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Akureyri dates are fixed. The operation also depends on weather and a minimum number of participants. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this day most?

You are a good match if you:

• Want to see Iceland’s central highlands without driving yourself
• Enjoy long scenic rides and remote volcanic country
• Like combining geology, mountain views, and a natural hot spring
• Can manage moderate walking on uneven ground
• Are happy to buy lunch and spend about 12 hours away from your hotel
• Prefer a small 4×4 outing to a large sightseeing coach

You may want another activity if you have limited stamina for long drives, want a relaxed half-day, or need a highly predictable schedule. The tour requires a moderate level of fitness, and the length alone can be tiring.

Families and older visitors should consider the walking surface, bathing arrangements, and the amount of time in the vehicle. The supplied information does not give an age limit or accessibility details, so ask Star Travel directly if those issues affect your decision.

What to pack for the highlands

Pack more carefully than you might for an ordinary Akureyri sightseeing trip.

• Sturdy walking shoes for geothermal ground and mountain paths
• Swimsuit and towel for Hveravellir
• Warm outdoor layers for exposed highland weather
• Water and snacks, even though lunch restaurants are available
• A phone or camera with enough battery for the long day

Do not count on the weather staying calm just because Akureyri looks pleasant at departure. The highlands can feel much more exposed. The tour can be canceled for poor weather, and you’ll then be offered a different date or a full refund.

Final verdict: book it for the interior, not just the hot spring

I would book this tour if I had a firm date in Akureyri and wanted one big highland day without taking on the driving myself. Kerlingarfjöll is the star, with its strange colors and mountain shapes, while Hveravellir adds geothermal activity and a genuinely pleasant soak.

I would skip it if I wanted a short, inexpensive excursion or if four hours in a vehicle each way sounds miserable. The price is high, but the route is ambitious, the transport is practical, and the combination of Kjölur, Hveravellir, and Kerlingarfjöll is hard to reproduce casually.

Before booking, confirm the expected group size because the description refers to a four-person outing while the booking details allow up to 12. If the group is small and the weather cooperates, this is a memorable way to reach the Icelandic interior from Akureyri.

FAQ

How long is the Kerlingarfjöll tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours. Pickup begins around 8am, and drop-off in Akureyri is expected around 8pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Pickup can take up to 15 minutes, and Hótel Kea by Keahotels is listed as the main starting point.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a driver-guide, 4×4 transport, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I swim at Hveravellir?

Yes. Time is provided to bathe in the naturally warm Hveravellir hot spring. You should bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. Restaurants are available at Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll.

What should I bring?

Bring sturdy walking shoes, a swimsuit, and a towel. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason offers a different date or experience, or a full refund.