Kerlingarfjöll. A unique Icelandic highland resort

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1 Kerlingarfjöll A unique Icelandic highland resort

2 Main poiners Location & Surroundings Nature and Geology The resort Facilites Highland Centre Kerlingarfjöll a place of its own How to get there Roadmap for improvements in

3 Location Central Highlands

4 Reykjavík Selfoss - Kerlingarfjöll 180 km driving from Reykjavík, drifing the main road from Reykjavík towards Selfoss and from there follow the route to Geysir and Gullfoss. From Gullfoss drive along to road 35 (Kjölur). First 15 Km on asphalt, after that gravel road. Accessible almost all year by superjeeps, all vehicles during summer.

5 Kerlingarfjöll The mountain massif Kerlingarfjöll lies close to the geographical center of Iceland and is the centre of a system of volcanoes, inlcluding one of the most powerful geothermal areas in Iceland. With peaks ranging from m above sea level, Kerlingarfjöll are the main ornament in the chain of mountains and glaciers framing the Kjölur road. Kerlingarfjöll, which cover about 150 km² area, derive their name from a single 25 m high and dark hyaloclastite pillar protruding from the light coloured, rhyolite scree of the peak Kerlingartindur. Ásgarður, a small valley on the north side, hosts the Kerlingarfjöll mountain resort. Distances: Approx. 10 km from Kjölur road 37. Approx. 180 Km driving from Reykjavík Approx.150 km from the town of Blönduós on the north coast. Kerlingarfjöll translates into English as The Witch s Mountains

6 Nature and Geology Formed during a volcanic eruption in the later part of the ice age, Kerlingarfjöll differ sharply from the surrounding environment, both in shape and color. Mostly made out of liparite and tuff stone, both dark and bright, they pose a stark contrast to the dominating black colour of the surrounding Kjölur area. Volcanic glass also abounds. The mountain massif. Most subterranean heat is concentrated in Hveradalir, a site of both steam and clay geysers with emissions mixed with sulphur. By the geysers there is creation of clay and the earth is boiled asunder. Where the glacier streams reach down into the valleys, the geysers have melted the ice and created impressive arches, caves and ice rocks. As the entire central highlands were covered with glacier, at the time of formation, in certain places it seems that pillars of tuff stone reached out of the melting glacier ice. Due to that fact there are tuff stone pillars with a lava top. In the course of their life span, Kerlingarfjöll have become weathered and have very little continuous growth, as the forces of nature - glaciers, water flow, ice bursts etc. - have been hard at work in the rough mountain weather. Due to the unusual combination of heat and cold, the flora around the hot spring area is also highly unusual. The multi colored geyser clay, the dense clouds of steam, the liparite mountains and the glaciers, all add to the diversity and beauty of this unique site.

7 Kerlingarfjöll - The Resort Nestled in Ásgarður valley, the resort consists of 12 houses with accomodation. A large main building houses the reception, dining area, restaurant and washrooms. The rooms are in the huts, divided as follows: 7 rooms with two beds 2 rooms four beds 3 rooms with three beds Two small 3 5 person chalets Sleeping accommodation for 40 persons A man made natural bathing facility is in the area, with 34 C water is in 25 min walking distance from the resort. Fully outfitted restaurant that can serve up to 60 persons at a time

8 Kerlingarfjöll - a place of its own The mountain resort resembles a small town with its own infrastructure, including water supply, common sewage system and electrical grid. The electrical power is generated by its own hydro electrical power plant. Most of the year, the resort is almost fully run on renewable energy Three diesel gen sets to provide backup power if or when needed Sælufoss hydro power plant, built in 1970, completely overhauled in 2009 when a new 60 KW Francis turbine was installed.

9 Why Kerlingarfjöll: The location can be reserved exclusively Variety in landscape Geothermal spots Ice caves Snow probability

10 Exclusivity Business season is from Outside that period the place can be reserved for shorter or longer periods to dedicated projects Due to its remoteness, access can be controlled outside peak season

11 Landscape endless variety

12 Geothermal spots

13 Summary Resort of its own: Outside main season, the place can be rented Can accomodate 40 60, 20 in sleeping bag Own team, own cooks, own style Electricity 3 4 hours from Reykjavík by car, 45 Min by plane/helicopter Unique landscape Rough and young landscape Snow scenes can be taken from early september to july Endless variety in colours Geothermal spots High altitude/arctic vegetation

14 Ice caves/mini glaciers Above , below

15 Snow probability Above: M Below: M Above: june 2001, Below, march 2004