Kjalvegur

Kjalvegur (also known as Kjölur route or Kjalvegur hinn forni) is a historic multi-day trek across Iceland’s Highlands plateau area, roughly the corridor between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. The classic walking line follows an old horse track that’s known for cairns and stakes marking most of the route through a highland desert landscape. The route is described as easy to pass in general, with very little elevation change along the line.

It’s typically tackled as a 2–4 day hike in either direction, with the common end-to-end pairing of Hvítárnes and Hveravellir. Reported total walking distance sits around 44–54 km (distance varies with chosen detours and spur routes). Overnight planning is centered on hut-to-hut travel along the corridor, with huts spaced so you can cover about 12–14 km per day.

A key early waypoint is Hveravellir, which sits in the highlands as a geothermal area. Hveravellir is positioned as an important start for hikers, since the area is noted for its hot springs and bathing options before you continue onto the trail.

The middle of the trek runs through sections characterized by low vegetation, plus stretches that connect to side areas and older track alignments near Langjökull. The old trail route is also noted as having marked branches that can lead toward Kjalhraun lava-field terrain and related glacier-side landscapes.

One commonly used hut cluster along the route includes Þjófadalir, Þverbrekknamúli, and then Hvítárnes or Hveravellir depending on direction. Typical guidance breaks the hike into long day legs (about 12–14 km / 4–6 hours) between these bases, which helps structure a straightforward 3-day itinerary.

Seasonality is tied to when passage is feasible: the trail is generally assumed to run from about June 20 to September 10, but access can vary with weather and snow. Phone coverage can be unstable, and the remote interior means exit points are limited, so plan for self-sufficiency and navigation.

The route follows terrain where river fords are possible in at least some variants: guidance for reaching Hvítárnes notes that the river Fúlakvísl may need to be crossed multiple times due to branching into smaller streams, and that some approaches can be unmarked or swampy/marshy in character.

More information: Wikipedia, Kjalvegur hinn forni - Trails - Ferðafélag Íslands, The Kjölur Trail | Kjalvegur - Trailhead Central