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Highland Base Kerlingarfjoll is one way Iceland’s Highlands is becoming more accessible.
The view from a cabin at Iceland’s Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll.Credit:Courtesy of Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
The Kerlingarfjoll area, designated as a nature reserve in 2020, wasnt explored until the 1930s.
By the ’60s, it was a summer hub for mountaineering and skiing.
(Snowfall was common in Icelandic summers until climate change and volcanic activity caused precipitation to decline.)
Hiking in the Hveradalir Geothermal Area.Courtesy of Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
(In winter, guests must be driven by a guide.)
Our journey took longer than usual when I visited in October 2023 due to fresh snowfall.
But the destination was, as expected, well worth the trip.
Courtesy of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
It’s hard to notice the structures from afar since they blend in seamlessly with the surroundings.
I entered through the main lobby, which serves as the bar and dining space.
Cozy is the only adjective that truly sums up the interior’s aesthetic.
A suite at Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll.Courtesy of Highland Base – Kerlingarfjoll
The deluxe rooms also have queen beds.
But my favorite feature was the massive window with an accompanying daybed that let me enjoy the surrounding views.
A quick walk from the hotel area is six standalone cabins that are a perfect fit for families.
Courtesy of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
Two of the cabins are conjoined for larger groups and families.
All the rooms are stocked withBlue Lagoon amenities.
Fortunately, the cuisine is on point.
Courtesy of Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
Guests can order coffee, orange juice, and apple juice.
The menu has mushroom soup with coconut cream, dry-aged hamburger, and grilled cauliflower for lunch.
“We thought it was important to pay homage to the past,” he said.
Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure
(orarinn Fririkssontold T+L his favorite dish is the Icelandic Meat Soup.
(Kerlingarfjoll has the countrys third-largest geothermal area.)
The hotel has three lagoon pools, and the property sources water for its three pools from nearbyhot springs.
Guests at Highland Base can also stay in A-frame huts.Courtesy of Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll
There’s also a sauna that overlooks the baths and the surrounding mountains.
The airline also launched a new seasonal flight from Detroit to Reykjavik.
“The journey is not a weakness, it’s a strength,” Marinarson Schram told T+L.
(Note: We agree.)
Accessibility and Sustainability
Highland Base at Kerlingarfjoll runs on geothermal energy.
The building is made with cross-laminated timber (CLT) and larch.
Several A-top buildings from the former ski lodge days have been repurposed into staff housing.
The waters are sourced locally, as are the geothermal pool waters.
The roads to the property are safe but can be uncomfortable for those who feel nauseated in cars.
And, of course, the weather can change the smoothness of the journey.
Once at the property, there are elevators for those with mobility issues.
Three suites on the first floor are wheelchair accessible.
you’re free to book your stay athighlandbase.is.
