Kjölur

Starting from Gullfoss, the route first leads through a ground moraine landscape over the 🌍 Bláfellsháls Pass (elv. 610 m) and past 🌍 Bláfell, a table volcano. From the pass, there is a beautiful view over the glacial lake Hvítárvatn to the west, which is about 30 km² (12 sq mi) in size and 84 m (276 ft) deep. Langjökull's glacier tongues used to reach into the lake and calve. Whooper swans and pink-footed geese can be observed at the edge of the lake, a boggy grassy landscape. Shortly after crossing the bridge over the Hvítá River, you come to the junction F336. This goes to Hvítárnes, a hiker's hut by the lake.

To the west lies the Langjökull glacier (1355 m), to the east you can see the colourfully shimmering Liparit mountains of Kerlingarfjöll, the highest peaks of which are Snækollur (1482 m) and Loðmundur (1429 m).

The Kerlingarfjöll (Old Woman Mountains) can be reached via a 10 km long track, which branches off the route 35 to the east. In Kerlingarfjöll there is a summer ski area and a shelter. From Kerlingarfjöll, the track continues up into the mountains to Hveradalur.

Kerlingarfjöll is one of the most beautiful geothermal areas in Iceland – many solfatars and fumaroles can be found along the small stream that has eaten its way deep into the yellowish, heavily weathered rhyolite. The area continues deep below Hofsjökull.

Back on Kjölur, the trail leads to the highest point of the route, Fjórdungsalda (673 m). At this north/south watershed (Kjölur just means "watershed" in Icelandic) there is a memorial stone commemorating the founder of the Icelandic Hiking Association. Now the landscape is changing and sand is gaining the upper hand. Drive to Hveravellir via Þjófadalavegur (F735). The track continues towards Langjökull.

The Hveravellir geothermal area, on the northern edge of the Kjalhraun lava field, covers an area of 450 km². The multicoloured sinter deposits at Blahver, the largest spring in the area, are interesting. The most beautiful body of water here is Fagrivher where clear, turquoise water can make you feel tempted to a relaxing bath (minus the cold temperatures).

Hiking trails in Hveravellir lead to the Strýtur volcano with its striking craters or through the green valleys of Þjófadalir on the edge of Langjökull.

North of Hveravellir, the landscape gradually changes to heathland and tundra. You pass the "longest fence in Iceland", erected to prevent the spread of sheep diseases. Once you have crossed the Dúfnefsfell, you come to the Árnarbæli hut, from there you have a beautiful view of Langjökull, Hofsjökull and to Kerlingarfjöll. You'll leave the high valley of Kjölur, as it slowly becomes greener and numerous sheep can be seen on the humpback meadows. You'll then pass the small Cafe Áfangi, where horse riding trips are occasionally offered. At the southern end of the Blöndulón lake district is Áfangafell with a small parking lot and a beautiful view. Due to the reservoir, the slope was rerouted here and the streams and rivers were bridged. The Blöndulón, which has been dammed since the late 1980s, is now the fourth largest lake in the country at over 56 km² (22 sq mi). The Blandá power plant generates 150 MW of power at a waterfall height of 288 m. The Kjölur slope ends around the power station.