The Kjölur highland road is the second longest of the roads through the Highlands of Iceland. It begins in the south of Iceland near Haukadalur and behind the Gullfoss waterfall and it ends in the north near Blönduós.

Like Sprengisandur highland road, the track was probably known since the first times of Icelandic settlement. To the west of the actual road there is the old Kjalvegur which is still in use for trekking and horse-riding.

After some people had perished in a snowstorm by the end of the 18th century, the road was forgotten for about 100 years. But it was discovered again in the 19th century.

Today, tourists seem to like the track very well, especially because a lot of rivers don't have to be forded any more.

In the middle of the track, there are the hot springs of Hveravellir.

Not far from there, the Kerlingarfjöll are situated to the north-east of the track, a beautiful volcanic mountain range.

The other well known highland routes are Kaldidalur and Sprengisandur.

External links

• Photos of Hveravellir [1][2][3]
• Actual situation of roads engl/is.