Kerlingarfjöll Geothermal Circuit F347
Highland geothermal wonderland access route
F347 penetrates the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range where sulfur-stained peaks rise from active geothermal fields, accessed via a rough highland track that branches from the main F35 Kjölur route. The road deteriorates significantly past the Kerlingarfjöll mountain hut, becoming a technical boulder-hop through glacial moraines to reach the otherworldly Hveradalir geothermal valley where boiling mud pots and steam vents create an alien landscape.
Moderate-to-difficult depending on conditions, requiring high-clearance 4WD and ideally a spotter for the worst rocky sections approaching the geothermal areas. Open July through early September only — snow blocks access most of the year. Carry extra fuel and emergency supplies; this is proper middle-of-nowhere territory with zero services for 100+ kilometers in any direction. The payoff is some of Iceland’s most intense geothermal activity without crowds, plus camping possibilities near natural hot springs.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 43 mi / 70 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Gullfoss, Iceland |
| Land manager | Iceland Nature Conservation Agency |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle F347, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range is the minimum — no lift required, but you need genuine 4WD, not AWD. The rocky highland surface and unbridged river crossings will destroy a lifted-but-unprepared rig just as fast as an underpowered one; approach angles matter more than lift here.
When does F347 actually open, and can snow close it mid-summer?
The Icelandic Road Administration typically opens F347 in late June or early July, with closure coming in September or October depending on snowfall. Snow and ice at 3,800 ft can hit any month — check road.is the morning you plan to drive it, not the night before.
Do I need a permit to drive F347 or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive F347, but the Iceland Nature Conservation Agency manages the area and strictly enforces 'drive only on marked tracks' rules — leaving the trail is illegal and carries heavy fines. Dispersed camping is allowed but you must camp at designated sites around Kerlingarfjöll; open-country random pitching outside those areas is not permitted.
What's the hardest section of the circuit and what makes it technical?
The glacial river crossings are the crux — water depth and current vary dramatically with melt and rainfall, and what's a knee-deep ford in the morning can be thigh-deep by afternoon. Never cross alone; scout on foot first, and if it looks wrong, it is wrong.
How far is the nearest fuel from the F347 trailhead, and is 43 miles enough to drain a standard tank?
The nearest reliable fuel is at Gullfoss or the Geysir area, roughly 60–75 miles from the highland interior — plan for 150+ miles of total fuel burn including access roads. The F35 approach adds significant mileage, so carry a jerry can; running dry on the highland plateau means a very expensive rescue call on a sat communicator, because there is zero cell service out here.
Trail track
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