Kaldidalur

Kaldidalur, which translates to ‘cold valley’ or Kaldadalsvegur and nicknamed ‘a highland for beginners’ is one of the shortest of the tracks passing through the highlands. Starting from the north of Þingvellir and to the west of Skjaldbreidur volcano, it passes through Ok and Þorisjökull glaciers and proceeds to the north, to the east of Reykholt to Husafell and then to Hvammstangi or Miðfjordur.

Kaldidalur, which translates to ‘cold valley’ or Kaldadalsvegur and nicknamed ‘a highland for beginners’ is one of the shortest of the tracks passing through the highlands. Starting from the north of Þingvellir and to the west of Skjaldbreidur volcano, it passes through Ok and Þorisjökull glaciers and proceeds to the north, to the east of Reykholt to Husafell and then to Hvammstangi or Miðfjordur.

Earlier known as F550 and now just route 550, it is about 40 km long, offering some spectacular views of the mountains and glaciers, including Langjökull, 1450 meters, Iceland’s second largest glacier and the rounded volcanic summit of Ok, which is 1198 meters above sea level. In clear weather conditions one can see the 1060-meter shield volcano Skjaldbreidur and Ice Caps of Eiriksjokull and Þorisjökull. Along the route one may also notice Beinakerling, translated to ‘Bony Lady’ or cairns, which was an old custom of piling up stones for good luck, considering many Icelanders were known to be superstitious.

Of course, this practice continues even today, but it’s more for fun. Along the road, which is in use for about three to five months a year, except the winter months, one will also find a face carved on a rock by sculptor Pall Guðmundsson. Hiking is also possible at Kaldidalur and easy hikes to the top of Meyjar Saeti, which is barely 237 meters, are quite common.

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