Iceland · Highlands (Kerlingarfjöll)
Distance
60 km
Date
Entry fee
ISK 33,500
€ / km
€3.85
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km: Running Through Iceland's Volcanic Highlands, Measured
Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km is a volcanic highland trail race held on July 25–26, 2026, starting and finishing at Highland Base Hotel in the Kerlingarfjöll massif of Iceland's central highlands. The course covers 60km with 2,100m of gain (35 m/km) through rhyolite mountain ridges, geothermal steam valleys, deep canyons, two river crossings, and past the iconic Kerling rock pillar — with almost half the course (49.1%) on flat volcanic plateau terrain.
Kerlingarfjöll Ultra entry costs ISK 33,500 (€3.85/km) — the highest per-kilometre entry fee in this research batch. ITRA 3 points. Previous editions have sold out; 2026 availability unconfirmed as of research date. Keflavík (KEF) is 2.5–4 hours by road; no public transport; 4WD may be recommended. First held in 2024 (3rd edition 2026) with 28–34 finishers per edition. Post-race Highland Baths (naturally heated geothermal pools) are included. It suits adventurous runners who want Iceland's volcanic interior as a race setting rather than a backdrop.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
2,100m
D+/KM
35.0m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
12.8%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-13.1%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 4.1 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 5.1 km | |
| 10–15% | 3.1 km | |
| 15–20% | 0.8 km | |
| 20%+ | 1.7 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 25.7% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 49.1% | Flat |
| 25.2% | Downhill |
Terrain
Kerlingarfjöll Ultra – 60 km 60km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 3.9 km · 349 m gain starts km 0 · avg 9.0% · max 35.2% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.1 km · 155 m gain starts km 26 · avg 5.1% · max 17.7% |
| 3 | 4.6 km · 143 m gain starts km 48 · avg 3.1% · max 20.4% |
Top descents
| 1 | 3.5 km · 255 m drop starts km 6 · avg -7.2% · max -89.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.6 km · 238 m drop starts km 31 · avg -6.7% · max -27.2% |
| 3 | 1.2 km · 158 m drop starts km 39 · avg -13.0% · max -38.6% |
Why the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra Costs More Per Kilometre Than TOR330 (And What That Price Buys You)
How much does it cost to enter the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km?
▼
ISK 33,500 — approximately €3.85/km at current exchange rates, among the highest entry fees per kilometre in the DTR database. This reflects destination logistics, a small field, and the included post-race Highland Baths experience. Confirm current ISK/EUR rate at time of registration.
Geothermal Terrain and Volcanic Plateaus: What Makes Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km Hard
How hard is the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km?
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Uniquely challenging — but not in a gradient-extremity sense. The course covers 60km with 2,100m of gain (35 m/km) and 49.1% flat volcanic plateau terrain. The difficulty comes from Iceland's interior: geothermal canyon scrambles, two river crossings, volcanic rock underfoot, and highly unpredictable highland weather. The 12-hour time limit with a mid-course cutoff is manageable for experienced trail runners but demands respect for the environment.
Getting There: Reykjavík, the Highland Drive, and Whether You Actually Need a 4WD
Which airport should I use for the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra?
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Keflavík (KEF) — approximately 2.5–4 hours by road to Kerlingarfjöll. There is no public transport to the highlands; a rental car is required. A 4WD may be recommended depending on road conditions — confirm for summer 2026. Plan for pre/post nights in Reykjavík.
Sold Out in Past Editions: The Kerlingarfjöll 60km Ultra Registration Status
Is the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra sold out?
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The race has sold out in previous editions with no waiting list. 2026 availability is unconfirmed as of this research date — verify current status at highlandbase.is/kerlingarfjoll-ultra before making travel plans.
July 25, 2026: Kerlingarfjöll Ultra Start at Highland Base Hotel
When does the 2026 Kerlingarfjöll Ultra 60km take place?
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July 25–26, 2026. Start at 08:00 from Highland Base Hotel, Kerlingarfjöll. Confirm exact date at highlandbase.is as a minor discrepancy exists between sources.
Kerlingarfjöll Ultra – 60 km 60km GPX
Getting to Kerlingarfjöll Ultra – 60 km
Nearest airport
Reykjavík Keflavík (KEF)
Notes
Start: ~2.5–4.0 hrs drive to Kerlingarfjöll Highlands Resort / Public transport: a standard car is fine in summer; a professional-driven super-jeep (4x4) is required in winter. The race runs an organized bus transfer (25,000 ISK round trip) from Olís Norðlingaholt (06:00) and Gullfoss (07:30); not offered to 60K runners / Accommodation: limited at highland resort; book early; Reykjavík pre/post nights
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
