ICENAVI ROAD FILE · KJÖLUR / HVERAVELLIR
This route suits a trip that includes remote landscapes and a deliberate highland crossing. Hveravellir is where you pause and finish the drive; Kerlingarfjöll is the northern extension. In winter, roads, daylight and food availability decide your turning point long before the number of sights does.
Kjalvegur crosses Iceland’s central highlands, with Hveravellir in the geothermal area between Langjökull and Hofsjökull. Its value is the geothermal landscape and remote mountain setting, not town supplies. Set the night’s accommodation before checking distance and daylight; a continuous road on the map does not mean shops, fuel or spare beds are available along it.
First confirm that Route 35 is open to you
The northern and southern sections of Route 35 can open at different times. Vegagerðin records Gullfoss–Hveravellir and Hveravellir–Blönduvirkjun separately, and spring snow and surface conditions affect each section. Average opening dates are useful for seasonal planning only. On the day, check the highland map, live road status, weather, wind and any closure notices.
Summer Kjalvegur is generally usable by many vehicles, with bridges or culverts on the route. That does not override a rental contract, insurance restriction or a bad day of rain and meltwater. Check the company’s highland rules, insurance and vehicle requirements; a vehicle badge alone is not permission to take an F-road.
When the weather deteriorates, the route should favour a safe turn-around. Do not keep driving into the highlands to protect a prepaid bed when the road is closed or visibility is failing. Keep the contacts for cancelling, extending the stay or switching to a lowland route ready. If Kerlingarfjöll via F347 is also on the plan, check that branch separately; an open Route 35 does not make the whole journey passable.
Short stop or overnight? Let the activity decide
A short stop suits a day with manageable driving, stable weather and no plan for a long geothermal walk. Count parking, walking, changing and time in the pool before calculating the remaining drive to your bed. If the gap is tiny, keep the pool optional rather than turning it into another fixed appointment.
An overnight breaks the drive into two usable days and leaves time for the geothermal landscape. Hveravellir lists private rooms, shared dormitory beds and camping; the old hut has shared cooking space, while the campsite has shared toilets and showers. Privacy, bedding and facilities vary sharply, so compare the option available for your party and dates rather than judging a tent pitch, dormitory and private room by one standard.
Food and supplies need their own check. This is a remote highland base: meal service, opening dates and check-in follow the accommodation’s seasonal arrangements, not a year-round restaurant timetable. Buy water, breakfast and emergency car food before entering the highlands, then confirm whether cooking equipment, utensils and bedding are provided. Travellers who need reliable meals may be better off in the lowlands or with a staffed transfer and meal plan.
Place Hveravellir back into the north–south route
Heading north, Hveravellir can break up the middle of a Kjalvegur crossing. Heading south, stock up on the northern side first and decide whether to enter the highlands after checking the day’s roads. Start, finish and driving time change with the approach, branches and surface, so check each leg against the road map and navigation instead of copying a fixed online estimate.
Kerlingarfjöll and Hveravellir are both highland destinations, but they sit on different road branches. Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll is reached from Route 35 via F347; its accommodation information describes summer self-drive or bus access, while winter roads are not routinely maintained and require the instructed professional 4WD transfer. If you want both, schedule the drives, branch roads and nights separately. “Nearby” is not a route plan.
Even a Hveravellir-only visit needs a ground-condition check. Stay on marked paths, keep away from fragile geothermal surfaces and hot pools, and do not cross barriers or soft ground for a photograph. Wind, low cloud and rain can change both the walk and how long the stop feels comfortable. Bring warm waterproof layers and set a turn-around time with everyone in the car.
Two plans that can actually work
Same-day crossing: Use this only when F35 is open, the weather is settled and the night’s endpoint is confirmed. Leave a buffer for driving and supplies, then choose one main activity at Hveravellir. If the start slips or the weather turns, shorten the stop or turn around; the pool and trail do not both need to be mandatory.
Overnight and slower visit: Check hut or campsite dates, room type, meals and cancellation terms early. Keep the arrival day for a short geothermal walk, then decide the next morning whether to continue north, head south or return the way you came. If anyone needs a private room, fixed meals or accessible facilities, confirm them with the accommodation rather than assuming a remote hut offers city-hotel services.
Check these before departure
- Vegagerðin’s same-day road status and highland openings; whether weather and wind allow the crossing.
- Your rental company’s restrictions, insurance and vehicle requirements for Route 35 and every branch.
- Seasonal operation of the accommodation and pool, plus room type, bedding, meals and arrival time.
- Fuel, water, food, warm layers and a turn-around plan before entering the highlands.
Start withVegagerðin mountain-road opening recordsandlive road conditions; check room types atHveravellir accommodation information。If the road picture is unclear, move the day to a lowland backup before rebuilding the highland plan.
Q&A | Hveravellir overnight stays and driving
Is Route 35 open year-round?
No. Highland openings depend on the season, snow and actual road conditions. Check Vegagerðin on the day; last year’s opening date cannot confirm today’s crossing.
Do you need a 4WD?
That depends on the day’s road, your rental contract and insurance. Summer Kjalvegur can be usable by many vehicles, but a rental company may impose stricter highland limits. Confirm each condition before leaving.
What accommodation is available at Hveravellir?
The accommodation lists private rooms, shared dormitory beds and camping. Facilities, bedding and opening dates vary by season, so check the option offered for your dates.
Can you add Kerlingarfjöll?
Kerlingarfjöll is on a separate F347 branch from Route 35. Check both road sections, the time required and Highland Base’s seasonal transport arrangements before combining them.
References
- Vegagerðin｜Opening of mountain roads(historical opening records for sections of Route 35).
- Umferðin(live road information).
- Environment Agency of Iceland｜Hveravellir access and services(roads, huts, campsites and pool information).
- Hveravellir | accommodation choices（room types, camping and facilities）。
- Highland Base｜Getting here(F347, seasonal access and winter transfers).
- OpenStreetMap | Hveravellir location(map link).