The Blue Lagoon Family, a collection of sustainable destinations, resorts, spas and skincare lines, has announced the summer 2023 opening of its newest development, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll. Debuting in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of a remote mountain range deep in Iceland’s central highlands, the multi-faceted Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll will be the first of its kind in this untouched, adventure-driven region. The year-round destination will comprise the Highland Base Hotel, complete with rooms, suites and luxury lodges; a series of Highland Base Huts designed for private or shared accommodations; the Highland Base Camp, a summer-only, riverside campsite; the 80-seat Highland Base Restaurant and Lounge; the Highland Base Baths; and a wide range of adventure activities.
Nature-Driven and Sustainable Accommodations
Created and developed by the design teams at Blue Lagoon Iceland, Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll is being constructed to exist in harmony with nature. The development process has been conducted in accordance with the standards developed by BREEAM, while the cozy, minimalist interior designs are intended to produce a sense of place, warmth and comfort. In addition to syncing with nature, Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll has been designed to cater to a wide range of travelers and will be composed of three distinct accommodations types, including:
Highland Base Hotel: Encompassing 46 rooms, two suites and six lodges spread across multiple structures. The 46 rooms range in size from 194 square feet to 323 square feet and are designed for everyone from families to solo travelers. The two Highland Suites are 474 square feet and have a terrace with a private, geothermal hot tub and views of the mountains. The six Highland Lodges are luxurious, stand-alone, private accommodations.
Highland Base Huts: A range of seasonal accommodations in A-frame buildings, including bunk beds with shared facilities as well as private huts designed for families or small groups traveling together.
Highland Base Camp: A seasonal, riverside campsite located at the base of Kerlingarfjöll mountain range with access to the same communal facilities used by the guests staying in the huts.
A Paradise for Adventure Travelers
Covering over 39 square miles, Kerlingarfjöll, a protected nature reserve, is a circular mountain range that formed over 10,000 years ago with a series of subglacial volcanic eruptions. The range includes peaks reaching more than 4,900 feet, and vistas punctuated by the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, making it an adventure-lover’s dream. For guests of Highland Base – Kerlingarfjöll, a selection of seasonal activities could include hiking the vast network of trails, ranging from a half-mile to 31 miles; access to a fleet of electric mountain bikes to traverse the mountainscape; backcountry and cross-country skiing; snowshoeing through the geothermal valleys; and exploring the breathtaking panoramas via snowmobiles.
A Destination Rich in History
Unexplored for centuries, Kerlingarfjöll remained an untamed wilderness until the 1930s when a pioneering naturalist and entrepreneur, Guðmundur Einarsson, initiated mountaineering classes. Inspired by Einarsson’s efforts, Ferðafélag Íslands (Iceland Touring Association) launched hiking tours of the region, constructing a cabin in 1937. Beginning in 1961, the area became the prime vacation destination for summer skiers, and the cabin accommodations grew to include a dormitory and a dining facility for ski students. Each year, from June to August, Icelanders flocked to these mountains, with thousands learning how to ski at Kerlingarfjöll’s seasonal ski school. At the turn of the millennium, the ski school ceased operations, but accommodations were renovated and expanded, becoming the Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Resort, a base camp for hikers and adventurers.
Reservations can be made now for year-round stays beginning in July 2023. To reserve, visit www.highlandbase.is.
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