Kverkfjöll
Please note that the weather in Kverkfjöll and nearby area can change without notice and that fog, storms and sandstorms can take hikers by surprise.
Good equipment is essential. The approach to the ice caves and onto the glacier must be made with great care due to the danger of falling rock and ice, crevasses and low visibility. It is vital to take all necessary equipment when hiking on a glacier, including a compass or GPS unit, ropes, crampons and sun-glasses.
Sigurdarskáli cabin - Ice cave
The snout, or terminus, of Kverkfjöll is approximately 3 km away, along a trail through the moraines or along a vehicle track to the drumlin near the ice cave. Beware of falling ice and rocks near the edge of the glacier.
Virkisfell - Biskupsfell
The trail leads inward and upward from Sigurdarskáli Cabin in a northerly direction to Virkisfell (1108 m). Biskupsfell (1240 m), 1½ km to the east, is easily climbed on the south side. Tvíhyrna (1240 m) is clearly visible from there.
Sigurdarskáli cabin - Kverkfjallarani - Hveragil
From Sigurdarskáli Cabin, the trail winds to the east between bulky fells and sharp peaks through fissured lava fields for 12 km. There are hot springs in Hveragil in several places, some with temperatures of up to 62°C. The distance from Hveragil to Lake Thorbergsvatn on the edge of Brúarjökull is around 8 km.
In addition to the hiking trail, a jeep track (approx. 38 km long) leads from the Kverkfjöll track in Hvannalindir to Hveragil west of Vatnahryggur. The track passes over gravel dunes, by ponds and over five separate lava fields.
Hiking to West Kverkfjöll
From Sigurdarskáli Cabin, the trail heads for the Kverkjökull glacier north of the ice cave, turning south as it ascends the glacier to pass the crevasse areas, reaching the edge of the moraine at an altitude of about 1260 m. From there, it turns up Löngufönn and through Hveratagl to the cabin of the Icelandic Glaciological Society at an altitude of 1700 m.
Skarphédinstindur - Kverk - Sigurdarskáli Cabin
From the cabin of the Icelandic Glaciological Society at Hveradalur, an easy walk south-east over the Kverkfjöll caldera leads to the peak of Skarphédinstindur (1936 m) where there is a magnificent view. The return journey can take in the west side of Kverk. Please keep in mind that fog banks can form without warning in the Kverkfjöll Mountains, dramatically reducing visibility.