The Iceland Highlands: A Day in Kerlingarfjöll with Get Your Guide

I began my day in Hella, South Iceland, where I was staying in the gorgeous ÖÖD Hekla Horizon, I drove an hour and a half through a stunning sunrise to get to the bus station in Reykjavik. The van (pictured below) picked us up at 8.15am. We left Reykjavik and luckily I grabbed a window seat to enjoy the slow unfurling of Iceland’s wild landscapes along the journey. Stopping at Gulfoss to see the incredible waterfall and then again at Kerlingarföll Base Camp Hotel for a coffee break.

By the time we reached Kerlingarfjöll, I felt as though we had left the planet. There had been a recent snow storm so we were in a complete white out. It looked both dangerous and inviting at the same time. Every step into the geothermal valley felt like a secret being told, the whispers of steam growing louder as we climbed toward the viewpoint.

This wasn’t just a hike. It was a walk through a living painting. A reminder that natures rugged imperfections and expansive lands are so powerful and beautiful. The tour was smooth, unhurried, and quietly magical. Our guide was wonderful, he was friendly and encouraging, making us feel safe even though the conditions were pretty intense. Unfortunately we couldn't complete the hike due to the weather on the day we went, but we went as far as we could and saw the most incredible landscapes. It was worth it even without the full hike, and the day still lasted a good 10 hours.

Kerlingarfjöll is a place that speaks in colours and steam. Bright reds and oranges swirled between white snow and mist. You can see the day unfold below, through my lens.