Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trance to the cave - it's best to ask where the safest access point is currently located
(there's only one point of entry, and it's not an issue if you are on a tour). There can be a
danger of sulphur inhalation further inside the cave. From the lower ice caves, ranger-led
tours continue up onto the glacier itself.
The large
Sigurðarskáli hut
(Kverkfjöll Hut; summer 863 9236, year-round 863 5813;
www.fljotsdalsherad.is/ferdafelag
;N 64°44.850', W 16°37.890';site/dm per person Ikr1300/6000;
mid-Jun-early Sep)
has comfortable accommodation and a well-maintained campsite. A
2km-return marked hike from behind the hut takes you up
Virkisfell
(1109m) for a spec-
tacular view over Kverkfjöll and the headwaters of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
The road to Kverkfjöll usually opens around mid- to late June. It's good to get to
Kverkfjöll early in the season because there's a higher chance of accessing the caves
(warmer weather = tumbling ice blocks and bouts of glacial melting). Ask the ranger first
about cave conditions and for recommendations for a successful exploration of the area;
consider joining a tour to take advantage of ranger expertise.
Kverkfjöll is part of the vast Vatnajökull National Park, so the park website
(
www.vjp.is
)
has information.
Tours
Without a robust 4WD vehicle, the only way to visit Kverkfjöll is on a tour. If you do have
your own vehicle you can park and walk up to the ice caves - anywhere further is strictly
ill-advised.
As well as short walks in the area, the park rangers offer guided hikes in good weather:
four hours onto the glacier (Ikr7500), or nine hours to the geothermal area (Ikr13,500);
prices include equipment. Call 863 9236 (in summer) for tour details.
Besides the ranger-led tours, there are tour packages involving transport and guiding.
Note that
Fjallasýn
has hiking tours in the area,
Jeep Tours
offers a day trip here from
Egilsstaðir, and
Fjalladyrð
has two-day tours from Möðrudalur.
Another option to consider is the popular three-day Askja-Kverkfjöll-Vatnajökull tour
from July to mid- or late August from Akureyri (8.15am) and Mývatn (10am). The cost is
Ikr42,900, which includes transport and guide. You must bring your own food and organ-
ise your own accommodation (either book Sigurðarskáli hut or bring a tent).
