Kerling (Iceland)

Súlur and Kerling (left rear) in winter

The volcano Kerling located in the north of Iceland. It is located on the peninsula south of the Tröllaskagi Öxnadalsheiði, across which the ring road from Skagafjordur to Akureyri.

The mountain was an active central volcano before about 6-7 million years ago and is 1538 meters high, making it the highest mountain on the peninsula Tröllaskagi, the total have a large number of more than 1,000 m high mountains. At the same time he is also the highest mountain in inhabited areas in the north of Iceland.

On the top there is a considerable Rhyolithlage and also from acid, ie high levels of silicate -containing ash, which refers to his time as an active central volcano. Otherwise, the Kerling consists mainly of basalt but, like most mountains on Tröllaskagi.

To his volcanic system also includes the neighboring Súlur, the local mountain of Akureyri, with its 1213 m high summit. And this system once handed out to the north over the Glerárdalur, up to the lower slopes of Vindheimajökull.

Hiking trails lead from Finnastaðir on the mountain. As far as known, the first ascent was made in 1810 by the Norwegians Hans Frisak, which at that time was considered outrageous act.