Afangi is a mountain hut on the Kjolur route, at the spot where the road runs closest to Lake Blöndulón. Most travelers stop here for the viewpoint rather than for the hut itself.
the viewpoint over Blöndulón, a few steps from the hut
Blöndulón is not a natural lake – it is a reservoir built for the Blöndustöð power station, and at 56 km² (22 sq mi) it is the third largest lake in Iceland. The power station itself is nowhere to be seen, because it was built underground, a little over 230 meters (750 feet) below the surface, at the edge of the highlands where Kjalvegur ends (source: Blöndustöð, Landsvirkjun).
If you are traveling by car, Hveravellir, some 38 km (24 miles) to the south, and Kerlingarfjoll with its Ásgarður hut, a good deal farther away, are certainly more interesting stops. For hikers and cyclists, on the other hand, Afangi is a good place to break the trip to or from either of them.
Afangi – tips and practical information
- A bed costs 9,500 ISK (about $80) per person, children 3,000 ISK (about $25). Bed linen is another 2,000 ISK (about $17), so most guests bring a sleeping bag (prices September 2026).
- Access to the showers, toilets and the hot tub is priced separately, at 2,500 ISK (about $21) per person.
- The hut has 32 beds – four people in each of the 8 rooms.
- There is a fully equipped kitchen and a dining room, and a small bar with drinks and snacks. Meals, breakfast included, are served by prior arrangement.
- While staying at Áfangi you can use the hot tub – a fine way to loosen up after a long day on the trail.
- Book by phone: +354 687 8500 or by email: [email protected] – the hut is run by Fjallalíf.
How to get to Afangi
To reach Afangi you take Route 35 (sometimes written F35; Kjalvegur), the highland road across Kjölur. The hut stands slightly west of the road, by the viewpoint, at the point where the road passes right next to the lake.
This is a rough gravel road through the interior, so go with a 4×4 and only after umferdin.is shows Kjölur as open.
There is no scheduled bus across Kjölur any more (the Hveravellir hut says so plainly), so without your own 4×4 the way across is a guided highland tour.
