If you’re dreaming of eloping in the highlands of Iceland, Kerlingarfjöll deserves a spot at the top of your list. Tucked into the rugged Icelandic highlands, this destination pairs a true adventure with one of the most stunning, otherworldly landscapes the country has to offer. Rhyolite mountains, roaring geothermal activity, and a landscape painted in saturated color make Kerlingarfjöll a must-visit for anyone eloping in the highlands of Iceland and looking for a full-day location that delivers drama at every turn.
Where Is Kerlingarfjöll?
Kerlingarfjöll sits at the mountain base of the Hveradalir geothermal area in Iceland. Hikers know the Hveradalir geothermal area for its vibrant visual impact and its rhyolite mountains. At the mountain base, you’ll find hot springs, geysers, steam vents, and bubbling clay pits.
How to Get to Kerlingarfjöll?
Getting to this area takes around 3 – 4 hours from Reykjavík. You’ll drive the main highways to the iconic Gullfoss waterfall, then continue north along the F35, known as the Kjalvegur road.
As you drive the F35, the pavement will end – and that’s when the real edge-of-your-seat adventure begins. Follow the F347 in Hrunamannahreppur until you reach Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll.
At the end of the paved highway, a sign will greet you with important cautionary information about the road conditions ahead. F-roads in Iceland require a 4×4 vehicle, and in my experience, a lifted vehicle is the best choice. Potholes and uneven surfaces litter these roads, and washouts get deeper the further you drive into the highlands. Smaller or lower vehicles risk damage or getting stuck – and roadside assistance out here can cost you dearly.
Driving Advice
Rent a 4×4 Vehicle
A 4×4 is essential for anyone traveling to Kerlingarfjöll. You won’t need to cross any rivers, but I’d still recommend a higher-clearance vehicle because of the washouts I mentioned. If you’re renting a car, make sure you get damage coverage – these roads can throw rocks at your windshield or the body of the vehicle, and no crews maintain this road.
Fuel Up
Fill your tank before you head into the highlands — you won’t find a single gas station out here. Bring a full tank to get there and back.
Prepare for Road Conditions
These roads stay open from late June to September, but weather can shift conditions quickly, since Iceland sees plenty of rain and storms even in summer. Always check weather and road conditions before you go. Despite heading deep into the highlands, this road still sees a fair number of travelers, so if you break down, you have a good chance of running into help – but prepare anyway. Pack:
- A spare tire and jack
- A charged cellphone
- Warm clothes
- Snacks and water
- The phone number for your rental company or roadside assistance
I highly recommend downloading the safetravel.is app before you go — it only takes a few minutes and can make a real difference.
Private Transfers to Kerlingarfjöll
If you’d rather skip the driving, book a private transfer instead.
Summer Transfers
Summer bus transfers run roughly $190 CAD. They operate daily in July and August, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in June and September.
- Reykjavík departure: Skógarhlíð 10, 105 Reykjavík at 08:30
- Gullfoss departure: Gullfoss Car Park at 10:30
- Highland Base departure: Highland Base main parking lot at 17:00
Winter Transfers
In winter, only a professionally driven 4×4 super jeep can reach the Kerlingarfjöll highland base. From October 1 through June 14, you can book a private round-trip transfer through the Highland Base resort:
- Departures from Reykjavík at 09:00 and Gullfoss at 10:45 on Thursdays and Fridays
- Return transfers from Highland Base at 13:00 on Saturdays and Sundays
A private winter transfer costs approximately $460 CAD per passenger for a professional, well-equipped driver into the highlands.
Best Places to Stay for Eloping in the Highlands of Iceland
Kerlingarfjöll has its own destination resort, so travelers can stay onsite or camp while they explore the many hikes the area offers.
This accommodation is absolutely stunning, and whoever first drove up there and decided to build a resort was a genius. As you climb the gravel, desolate roads toward the highlands, you might start wondering where the road is even taking you – until suddenly you spot the most picturesque resort off to the right, lined with tents, apartments, lodges, and A-frame cabins.
Every accommodation here feels beautiful. Choose between a deluxe suite or one of the lodges, and your stay includes:
- WiFi
- Buffet breakfast
- Access to the sauna and hot springs
The onsite restaurant serves a delicious menu, and I highly recommend booking a reservation ahead of time to lock in lunch or dinner. I ordered the beef tenderloin, and – I promise I’m not exaggerating – it might be one of the best pieces of beef I’ve ever eaten.
Keep in mind the deluxe rooms don’t include fridges, so plan around the included breakfast and book your restaurant reservations for lunch and dinner. The resort also sells packed lunches you can grab fresh from the lobby fridges before heading out to hike.
Essential Gear for Eloping in the Highlands of Iceland
Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable – that unpredictability is part of what you sign up for, and it adds a raw beauty that deepens the whole experience. Rain plays a role in the climate almost anywhere in Iceland, though May and June tend to run driest. Expect some rain during your trip and prepare accordingly.
Waterproof Clothing
Higher elevation winds can leave you wetter than you’d expect when it rains, and the chill that follows makes full-coverage pants, shoes, and a jacket well worth packing. Wind and misty drizzle can soak through clothing fast.
If you’re eloping, consider hiking in weatherproof gear and changing into your wedding attire once you arrive for your vows and portraits. Waterproof clothing matters because conditions can shift in minutes:
- Wear a waterproof outer shell over your wedding attire until the ceremony starts, and pack towels.
- If you’re eloping during a rainier stretch of the season, wear leggings or waterproof pants under your dress or suit to stay dry and warm.
Footwear
The dramatic terrain at Kerlingarfjöll demands sturdy footwear. Even on a dry day, packed clay-like soil covers the trails, and the paths can narrow quickly. Choose hiking boots with a solid tread to protect your stability and your feet from rain, dirt, jagged rocks, and cold.
Hand Warmers
Even in summer, wind and water can chill your hands fast, so pack gloves and hand warmers for your walks and breaks. The valley traps the wind even on sunny days, and while the geothermal steam helps, you’ll still want gear on hand to warm up between stops.
Best Timing for Eloping in the Highlands of Iceland
The Icelandic Highlands make up roughly 40% of Iceland’s interior plateau. This vast, wild, uninhabited region features a dramatic volcanic mountain range threaded with steaming geothermal valleys. Because of harsh weather and snow, you can only access it during a short summer window once the snow thaws and crews open the F-roads.
Mid-July through August offers the best window for eloping in the highlands of Iceland if you’re considering this destination.
You can still plan a winter elopement here, but you’ll need a professional guide, and snow may limit which locations are accessible.
Activities to Include in Your Highland Elopement at Kerlingarfjöll
You can easily build a full-day elopement timeline around Kerlingarfjöll, and hiking belongs on that list no matter your pace – there’s a trail for every couple here.
Hiking Trails from Ásgarður
- Ásgarðsfjall — 2.5 km, 1- 2 hours. One of the easiest routes if you want to keep hiking minimal. The trail starts at the service center on the south side of the resort near a gully, climbs the mountain, then turns north toward the mountain ridge, where you’ll find beautiful hyaloclastite formations at the top.
- Skuggafoss — 15 km, 5 – 6 hours. The falls drop through a narrow ravine, and you’ll cross several streams along the way – but the waterfall itself makes the trek worth it.
- Hvinur to Fossrofur – 15 km, 2 – 3 hours. A longer but easy hike with only about a 40m altitude gain.
- Kerling -16.8 km, 6 – 8 hours.
Hiking Trails from the Hveradalir Parking Area
- Hveradalahringur (Hveradalir Circle) — 4 km, 1–2 hours. This is the hike our couple chose for their elopement day, which left them more time to get ready at the resort and enjoy the hot springs and a beautiful meal.
- Fannborg, Vestrhnýpa, Snækollur, Snót, and Loðmundur — 9 km, 5–6 hours. This mountain route climbs to Kerlingarfjöll’s highest peaks. Skip it if you have a fear of heights — it’s demanding, though it could make a great honeymoon hike.
Three-Day Highland Hikes from Ásgarður
For a multi-day experience, string together:
- Day 1: Ásgarður to Kisbotnar – 15 km
- Day 2: Kisbotnar to Klakkur -11 km
- Day 3: Klakkur to Ásgarður – 19 km, the longest and toughest day, but the final stretch rewards you with the most amazing colors and mountain views.
Hot Springs
Kerlingarfjöll’s volcanic system feeds one of Iceland’s most powerful geothermal systems, producing fumaroles and mudpots. You’ll find hot springs right at the resort, plus more a short hike up the canyon ravine to natural pools.
Off-Season Adventures
During the off-season, when you’ll need guided transportation into the highlands, consider other activities like stargazing and the northern lights from October through April. Kerlingarfjöll sits far from light pollution, making it a stunning place to watch the stars, constellations, and Milky Way — and when conditions align, the aurora paints the sky in saturated greens, reds, and violets. We caught a small taste of this in early August.
Leave No Trace Considerations at Kerlingarfjöll
Weather can shift quickly at Kerlingarfjöll, so stay on marked trails at all times. Because the highlands have such a short growing season, even small disturbances can seriously harm the delicate vegetation.
Treat the geothermal areas with extreme caution – the ground can give way, and new hot springs can open up without warning.
Before you go, leave a travel plan at www.safetravel.is. Preparing well is the difference between a magical day eloping in the highlands of Iceland and a genuinely dangerous one.
Ready to Start Planning Your Highland Elopement?
Eloping in the highlands of Iceland isn’t just a wedding – it’s an adventure you’ll tell stories about for the rest of your lives. From the rugged drive up the F35 to your vows against the rhyolite mountains of Kerlingarfjöll, every mile of this journey rewards you with something most couples never get to experience.
If you’re picturing yourself exchanging vows in front of Iceland’s geothermal valleys, soaking in a hot spring at sunset, or hiking hand-in-hand toward your ceremony site, I’d love to help you make it happen. I specialize in guiding couples through every detail of eloping in the highlands of Iceland – from choosing the right hike and timing
