Kjölur Highland Route F35 Northern Extension

The northern reaches of F35 beyond Hveravellir push into Iceland’s most isolated highland terrain, where the road deteriorates to rough tracks threading between active geothermal fields and the terminus of Langjökull glacier. Past the last tourist buses, this extension climbs through boulder fields and river crossings toward Kerlingarfjöll, offering unobstructed views of the glacier’s scarred face and steaming vents that mark unstable ground.

Moderate difficulty with several unbridged river crossings and loose volcanic scree requiring high-clearance 4WD and careful route-finding. Best accessed July through September when snowmelt stabilizes and highland roads officially open. Carry extra fuel, recovery gear, and GPS navigation as the track becomes indistinct in places. The reward is pure Icelandic highland solitude and some of the country’s most dramatic geothermal activity away from the crowds.