Exploring Icelandic Glaciers: Your Information to the Kjölur Route within the Southeast Highlands

Icelandic glaciers, together with the majestic Langjökull Glacier, are among the many most extraordinary pure wonders within the Northern Hemisphere—huge, shifting plenty of ice that form the panorama and outline the island’s wild coronary heart. The great thing about Icelandic glaciers attracts vacationers from all over the world.

For vacationers heading past the Golden Circle, the trail to Langjökull Glacier and into Iceland’s Highlands is an unforgettable journey into the uncooked, untouched inside. 

As you discover the Icelandic glaciers, you’ll uncover distinctive options that spotlight their historic historical past and significance to the atmosphere.

Right here’s your information to exploring the Kjölur Route within the Southeast Highlands.

An summary:

Discovering Icelandic Glaciers: A Journey Via Ice and Historical past

Understanding the influence of local weather change on Icelandic glaciers is essential for appreciating these pure wonders.

E-book right here

The distinctive ecosystem supported by Icelandic glaciers consists of numerous natural world tailored to the cruel situations.

Langjökull Glacier Tour: What to Know Earlier than You Go to the Icelandic Glaciers

Langjökull is Iceland’s second-largest glacier, spanning round 950 sq. kilometers. Categorised as an ice cap, Langjökull consists of centuries-old compressed snow, with ice that averages 400–450 years in age. The glacier fashioned over 6,000 years in the past and continues to resume itself because it slowly flows beneath its personal weight—a defining attribute of any true glacier. 

The glacier’s floor reveals darkish layers of historic volcanic ash from previous eruptions, now embedded within the ice. These ash layers create dramatic visible patterns and are a stark reminder of Iceland’s fiery previous. The compressed glacier ice, typically tinged in luminous blue, is denser and melts roughly eight occasions slower than common ice. A function that almost all glaciers in Iceland have in widespread.

Kjölur Highland Highway: The Finest Locations to Go to

The path to Langjökull cuts by way of the Icelandic Highlands—a distant, elevated plateau recognized for its huge deserts, rhyolite mountains, and geothermal wonders. The one entry to this area is through the Kjölur Route (F35), a 196-kilometer highland highway connecting Gullfoss within the south to Blönduós within the north. Open solely in summer time and accessible solely by 4WD, this historic observe sits 600–700 meters above sea degree and passes between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers.

Highlights alongside this route embody: 

• Langjökull Glacier: Whereas solely accessible for snowmobiles, Jeeps and modified automobiles, the view from earlier than the sting of the glacier at Skálpanes, the best level of highway 336, to the glacier & Jarlhettur mountain vary is effectively definitely worth the drive. In clear climate, the view extends to the south, in addition to to the north, to Hofsjökull and Kerlingarfjöll mountains.
• Kerlingarfjöll: A mountain vary recognized for its colourful rhyolite peaks and steaming geothermal valleys. A brand new lodge, opened in 2023, now provides year-round lodging, whereas the summer time campsite is a favourite amongst hikers.
• Hveravellir: A geothermal discipline positioned between the glaciers, famed for its effervescent scorching springs and pure scorching swimming pools—very best for bathing within the midst of Iceland’s wilderness. 

Crossing Kjölur: A Highland Journey just for 4WD (and Horses)

The Kjölur route (F35) is certainly one of Iceland’s most simple Highland crossings, making it an excellent alternative for vacationers seeking to expertise the inside with out excessive challenges. Whereas the gravel highway might be bumpy, it does not contain any river crossings—a rarity amongst Iceland’s Highland roads. Which means that anybody with a correct 4WD automobile can safely drive the route in summer time, with out requiring off-road experience or particular modifications. 

Take it gradual and benefit from the surroundings to benefit from the journey. Staying in a single day earlier than and after the crossing provides consolation and adaptability to the expertise. Within the south, lodging vary from guesthouses to boutique resorts within the Gullfoss space, together with close by cities equivalent to Flúðir and Reykholt. Within the north, the areas round Blönduós, Varmahlíð, and Sauðárkrókur additionally supply all kinds of lodging choices to swimsuit each journey model. Or select the in a single day cease at Kerlingarfjöll or Hveravellir and expertise the sunshine nights of the Icelandic summer time within the silence of the highlands. 

Touring by way of the Icelandic glaciers provides you the chance to witness breathtaking sights which can be not like anyplace else.

A Distant Place in Iceland: Skálpanesvegur and Past

Branching from the Kjölur route is Skálpanesvegur, a 12-kilometer highway main towards Langjökull’s edge. Right here, the atmosphere grows even harsher and extra remoted. Constructing a highway by way of the gentle, muddy plains between Kjölur and Langjökull as soon as appeared inconceivable. Ástvaldur “Valdi” Óskarsson, a pioneer with an unshakable imaginative and prescient, undertook the seemingly inconceivable activity of constructing a highway by way of a few of Iceland’s most treacherous terrain. 

With no clear tracks and floor that grew to become impassable in spring, he constructed out a 12-kilometer route—as we speak often known as Skálpanesvegur. This tough however important observe created the primary vehicular entry to Langjökull from the east facet. His work opened up the glaciers East facet to automobiles, laying the muse for tourism on this distant a part of Iceland’s Highlands.

For individuals who have by no means been on a glacier, Langjökull provides way over a frozen panorama—it supplies a window into Iceland’s dramatic pure historical past. Standing on its huge floor, surrounded by silence and sweeping highland views, is a really unforgettable expertise. In summer time, guests can witness the shimmering white and blue of uncovered glacier ice, whereas in winter, the glacier transforms right into a pristine world of snow.

Glaciers are among the many most inhospitable locations on Earth, but they play a significant function within the ecosystem—supplying mineral-rich water to rivers and oceans, and offering among the world’s purest ingesting water by way of glacial groundwater. 

Touring Langjökull might be tailor-made to completely different ranges of journey. Snowmobiling provides high-speed pleasure throughout the icy expanse, excellent for thrill-seekers. For a extra accessible expertise, Jeep & monster truck excursions present a snug, all-terrain choice appropriate for all ages and health ranges. Guided excursions guarantee security, skilled perception, and entry to the glacier’s most charming options. 

Guests ought to take into account guided excursions to discover the Icelandic glaciers safely and study their geological significance.

Closing Tip: Whether or not navigating the historic Kjölur route, enjoyable within the scorching springs at Hveravellir, or gliding over the ice cap of Langjökull, the Icelandic Highlands promise landscapes that really feel untouched by people. With the proper planning—and the proper information—this distant nook of the world turns into surprisingly reachable. 

The Icelandic glaciers present important insights into our planet’s local weather patterns and environmental modifications.

Expertise the beautiful great thing about the Icelandic glaciers by taking part in organized excursions that showcase their grandeur.

Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull: Iceland’s Different Iconic Glaciers

Whereas Langjökull provides a dramatic journey into the Highlands, two different glaciers—Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull—are extra simply accessible and standard amongst vacationers. 

Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe, covers round 8% of Iceland’s landmass and dominates the southeast area. Simply reached through the Ring Highway, this glacier is residence to well-known outlet glaciers like Skaftafellsjökull and Fjallsjökull, and the hanging Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the place icebergs drift towards the Atlantic. Vatnajökull Nationwide Park provides well-developed infrastructure for mountaineering, ice caving, and glacier walks, making it a best choice for first-time guests. 

Many journey seekers are drawn to the Icelandic glaciers for actions like mountain climbing and snowmobiling.

Additional west lies Mýrdalsjökull, located close to the city of Vík. Beneath this glacier rests the notorious Katla volcano, making it an exciting vacation spot for exploring the Icelandic glaciers. Regardless of its volatility, Mýrdalsjökull is a serious hub for glacier excursions, together with snowmobiling and ice cave explorations, typically ranging from the favored Sólheimajökull outlet and Vik village.

Each glaciers might be reached year-round through Highway 1 alongside the South and supply a variety of guided excursions—making them among the most visited glacier locations in Iceland. 

Necessary Security Notice: By no means try and stroll or drive on a glacier with out a licensed information or a guided tour in Jeep/Truck/snowmobile. Glaciers might be deceptively harmful, with hidden crevasses, unstable snow, and quickly altering climate. Guided excursions guarantee your security and supply skilled data of the terrain. 

E-book right here