Kerlingarfjoll and Hveravellir hot springs photo tour

Kerlingarfjoll

Kerlingarfjoll is an impressive mountain range, reaching a height of roughly 1500 meters, located in the central highlands of Iceland, not far of the Kjolur highland road (a.k.a. Kjalvegur). The mountains are volcanic and highly colourful, composed of red rhyolite and tuff stone and rays of the sun, particularly when photographing at dawn and dusk in midsummer, add further splendour and variety to the scene, making it an ideal setting for great photographs. The mountains stand out in their bright colours in contrast to the dark colours that otherwise dominate the Kjolur area. Over the scene looms the majestic glacier Hofsjokull, Iceland’s third largest glacier.

There are three geothermal areas belonging to Kerlingarfjoll, the best known of which is Hveradalir. This is a fascinating and colourful area in its own right; the geothermal activity lends the ground colours of red green and yellow and hot springs, mainly solfataras and fumaroles abound, as well as a number of alkaline springs. The area of Kerlingarfjoll is a photogenic wonder, breathtaking in its beauty and diversity and not to be missed by anyone who loves a great view and taking great nature photos.

Hveravellir

Hveravellir is the largest geothermal area in Iceland, as well as one of its most beautiful, an amazing fascinating site of hot springs, multicoloured sinters, boiling mud pools, smoking fumaroles and impressive lava formations. It is set in the lava field Kjalhraun in the area of Kjolur in the central highlands of Iceland, between the the two glaciers Langjokull and Hofsjokull.

There is also a lovely hot pool in the area, perfect for relaxing with the amazing view surrounding you, and of course the area is also a wonder to photograph. The water of the pool varies from around 18 degrees to 39 Celsius but the intake pipe is much warmer, i.e. 80-29 degrees, so caution is advised. Please mind, however, that there are no changing facilities.

Iceland‘s most famous outlaw, Fjalla-Eyvindur (1714-1783) resided in this area. Indeed, one of the hot springs is named after him, Eyvindarhver. The dramatic life of Eyvindur and his wife Halla, as they faced the harsh conditions imposed by nature and law, passed into folklore and later inspired Johann Sigurjonsson‘s play, which was also turned into a film by Victor Sjöström, Bjerg-Eyvind och ans Hustru. Ruins of his hut can be found in the area and there is a cave called Eyvindarhellir ,where Halla and Eyvindur sought shelter, as well as Eyvindarrett (the pen of Eyvindur) a protruding lava mound with a rift through it. You can also see a monument for the outlaws at Hveravellir, raised in 1998.