Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The local catch is delicious fried as well.
Terry's of Charlevoix
Carlson’s Fishery is a Great Lakes institution.
Carlson’s Fishery
The Cathedral Café maintains the building’s original church exterior.
Cathedral Café
Exterior of the historic Dyffryn Arms pub.
Dyffryn Arms
Most of what’s on the menu here comes from Michigan.
The Glenwood
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Siegfried Tieber specializes in sleight-of-hand magic using small objects, as well as mentalism, which gives the illusion of reading minds.
Does a Magician Really Never Reveal Their Tricks? AO Wants to Know.
12 days ago
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
15 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
18 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Iceland Ancient Kjolur Trail

Ancient Kjolur Trail

Outlaws, hot springs, and tragedy have all left their mark on this ancient road in the Icelandic highlands.

Iceland

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Ancient Kjolur Trail   Theiry on Flickr
Ancient Kjolur Trail   Theiry on Flickr
Ancient Kjolur Trail   David Gingrich on Flickr
Ancient Kjolur Trail   Theiry on Flickr
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Located on a desert plateau in the highlands of Iceland, the Ancient Kjolur Trail is a long winding road that leads travelers across a historic glacial shortcut written about in the Sagas, used by famous sheep thieves, and forgotten for a century after claiming the lives of some trekkers. 

Since before the time of the Vikings, the Kjolur Trail, which runs from North to South between two mountainous glaciers has been a popular way to travel across the barren highland deserts of Iceland. Early reports from the time of the Sagas tell of small armies that would use the road to hurry to and fro from conflict to conflict. However, it was during the 18th century when the road began to gain true notoriety. It is rumored that during this period the famous Icelandic outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur and his wife took up residence along a portion of the road that is now known as the "Valley of Thieves." In addition to its connection to those criminals, there is also a tale of two travelers who were guiding their flock of 100 sheep along the road and got caught in a snowstorm. Both the shepherds and their flock perished along the way which also created a site known as "Bone Hill." After this era, the road fell off the map so to speak for almost 100 years before being rediscovered in the 19th century and has since been a popular road for hikers and other visitors.   

The geography of the area is also of note for the fields of hot springs and geothermal pools that occur along the way. There are also a number of huts and rock formations that can be visited while traveling on the road. So whether trekkers are looking to walk in the footsteps of history or just to find some nice photo opportunities, the Ancient Kjolur Trail has hundreds of years of answers.

Related Tags

Roads Nature Hot Springs Water
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Iceland in Winter: Northern Lights & Geothermal Marvels

A land of folklore and myths on a backdrop of remarkable natural wonders.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

EricGrundhauser

Edited By

hrnick, huraxprax, Blindcolour, aribrown

  • hrnick
  • huraxprax
  • Blindcolour
  • aribrown

Published

March 19, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.mountainguides.is/overnight-tours/trekking-tours/the-ancient-kjoelur-trail/
  • http://www.gomagma.com/trip/ISIMG010-The-Ancient-Kj%C3%B6lur-Trail
  • http://5stars-scandinavia.com/iceland-adventure-kjolur-trail.html
  • http://stuckiniceland.com/central-highlands/kjolur_hiking-trail_in_iceland_the_haunted_highway/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kj%C3%B6lur
  • http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_kjolur.htm
Ancient Kjolur Trail
Iceland
65.19625, -19.24258

Nearby Places

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

Glaumbær, Iceland

miles away

Christmas House

Akureyri, Iceland

miles away

Grafarkirkja

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

Glaumbær, Iceland

miles away

Christmas House

Akureyri, Iceland

miles away

Grafarkirkja

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

Related Places

  • Pačir Geothermal Spa

    Pačir, Serbia

    Pačir Geothermal Spa

    This natural spa is known for its healing properties and vibrant hue.

  • Ma’in Hot Springs

    Mkawer, Jordan

    Ma'in Hot Springs

    This cascade of mineral-rich hot springs and waterfalls is an oasis in the Jordanian desert.

  • The hot spring.

    Bagni San Filippo, Italy

    Fosso Bianco

    Nestled in the hills of Tuscany are gorgeous, multicolored hot springs.

  • Badab-e Surt.

    Orost, Iran

    Badab-e Surt

    Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

  • Geyser, warning sign

    Noboribetsu-shi, Japan

    Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

    A steaming, boiling hellscape sources Hokkaido's thermal baths.

  • Mystic Hot Springs

    Monroe, Utah

    Mystic Hot Springs

    One man has installed bathtubs into the Utah desert floor to harness the powers of a natural hot spring.

  • Reykjadalur

    Hveragerði, Iceland

    Reykjadalur

    Iceland's "Smoky Valley" is a beautiful river that is shrouded in a constant cover of steam clouds.

  • Termas Geometricas

    Panguipulli, Chile

    Termas Geometricas

    This Japanese-inspired labyrinth of hot springs is hidden in a Chilean forest.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.