Yes, you can visit the Icelandic highlands in a single day. During summer, a guided day trip to Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base makes it possible to experience geothermal valleys, remote mountain landscapes, and highland hiking without staying overnight. It’s one of the most accessible and rewarding highlands day trips in Iceland.
Can you visit the Icelandic highlands in one day?
The Icelandic highlands are often seen as remote, difficult to access, and best suited for multi-day expeditions. While that’s partly true, you can absolutely visit the Icelandic highlands in a single day—if you choose the right destination.
A summer day trip to Kerlingarfjöll is both realistic and unforgettable. Located in the central highlands, the area offers geothermal valleys, colorful rhyolite mountains, hiking trails, and wide-open landscapes—all reachable within a single day.
During summer, Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll offers a guided day trip designed specifically for travelers who want to experience the highlands without an overnight stay. This experience is one of the easiest ways to explore Iceland’s remote interior.
Can you combine a highland visit with your Golden Circle tour?
Yes, it is possible to combine a highland visit with the Golden Circle in one day, especially if you join a specifically designed tour, such as the day trip operated by Highland Base.
The Highland Base day trip offers a round-trip bus transfer from Reykjavík to Kerlingarfjöll, a guided tour around Hveradalir hot spring valley, access to the Highland Baths, and visits to Gullfoss and Geysir.
Why Kerlingarfjöll is perfect for a highland day trip
Not all highland destinations are suitable for day visits. Many require long drives, difficult river crossings, or overnight logistics. Kerlingarfjöll stands out because:
Accessible during summer months (June to September)
Well-established highland routes
Diverse landscapes in a compact area
Excellent hiking directly from base
Geothermal activity without extreme technical difficulty
In one day, visitors can experience:
Steaming geothermal valleys
Rhyolite mountain landscapes
Highland hiking trails
Remote Icelandic wilderness
Highland Base facilities and hospitality
Golden Circle
Highland Baths geothermal bathing
This makes Kerlingarfjöll one of the best Iceland highlands day trip available.
What to expect on a Kerlingarfjöll day trip
A summer day trip to Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base is designed to maximize your time in the highlands while keeping the experience comfortable and accessible.
Typical highlights include:
Geothermal hiking in Hveradalir
The geothermal valley of Hveradalir is one of the most striking areas in the Icelandic highlands. Steam vents, hot springs, and colorful mountains create a landscape that feels both raw and dynamic.
The day trip operated by Highland Base includes a guided hike around the geothermal valley Hveradalir. Visitors can explore marked trails and enjoy guided insights into the geology and environment of the area.
Highland landscapes and remote views
Kerlingarfjöll sits deep in Iceland’s interior. The drive alone offers vast views of rivers, glaciers, and mountain ridges rarely seen by most visitors.
Experience Highland Base
Highland Base serves as a comfortable hub in the middle of the wilderness. Visitors can relax, enjoy refreshments, and take in the atmosphere of the Icelandic highlands before heading back. You can also enjoy a soak in the Highland Baths, since admission to the Highland Baths is included in the day trip operated by Highland Base.
When can you go on a day trip to the highlands?
Summer is the most reliable season for highland day trips.
The Icelandic highlands are typically accessible from:
Late June to early September
During this period:
Highland roads are open
Weather conditions are more stable
Guided day trips operate regularly
Hiking trails are accessible
Outside of summer, snow and weather conditions make day trips difficult or impossible.
Who is the highlands day trip for?
A Kerlingarfjöll day trip is ideal for:
Travelers with limited time in Iceland
Visitors who prefer guided experiences
Adventure travelers who don’t want overnight logistics
Photographers seeking unique landscapes
Explorers wanting to see the best of Iceland in one day
Hikers looking for accessible highland trails
Travelers looking for an off-grid Iceland experience
You don’t need previous highland driving experience, specialized vehicles, or extensive planning—the guided experience takes care of logistics.
Is one day enough for the Icelandic highlands?
While you could easily spend multiple days exploring the highlands, one day is enough to experience the essence of the Icelandic interior:
Remote wilderness
Geothermal landscapes
Highland hiking
Iceland’s central mountain environment
Kerlingarfjöll offers a concentrated highlands experience, making it one of the best one-day Iceland highlands adventures.
A day in the extremes: Kerlingarfjöll day trip
A day in Kerlingarfjöll is a summer day trip offered by Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll. It’s designed for travelers who want to experience the Icelandic highlands without staying overnight. The experience includes:
Guided highland journey
Geothermal valley exploration
Hiking opportunities
Time at Highland Base
Access to remote highland landscapes
It’s one of the most straightforward ways to visit the Icelandic highlands in a single day.
Book your ticket here.
Why choose Kerlingarfjöll over other highlands locations?
Kerlingarfjöll offers a unique balance:
Remote but accessible
Wild but safe
Dramatic but approachable
Unlike some highland areas that require extensive planning, Kerlingarfjöll allows visitors to experience the highlands in a single, well-structured day.
Final thoughts:
A summer day trip to Kerlingarfjöll offers one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to explore Iceland’s interior. With geothermal valleys, mountain landscapes, and remote highland views, it’s a full highlands experience condensed into one unforgettable day.
For travelers short on time but eager for adventure, Kerlingarfjöll Highland Base makes the Icelandic highlands surprisingly accessible.
