Primary Use
Hydroelectric Power
Feeds the Blönduvirkjun power station via the Blanda river system.
Blöndulón: Hydroelectric Reservoir in the Northern Highlands
A large hydroelectric reservoir in Iceland's northern highlands, surrounded by a stark landscape of gravel deserts and sparse moss.
Location
Northern Highlands
~56 km² · Highland road access · Completed 1991
Quick Answer
Blöndulón is a roughly 56 km² reservoir in Iceland's northern highlands, completed in 1991 for the Blanda power station. Arctic char fishing; Route 35 access.
Blöndulón is one of Iceland's largest reservoirs, created by damming the Blanda river in the northern highlands. The reservoir, completed in 1991, feeds the Blönduvirkjun hydroelectric power station. The draw for visitors is the landscape as much as the engineering: the broad reservoir and the land managed around it. The reservoir's water level fluctuates with the seasons, sometimes exposing wide, sandy shores.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
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Official sources to check
Landscape
Lunar Terrain
Vast gravel deserts and barren highlands stretch in every direction.
Access
Highland Roads
Partially accessible via Route 35 (Kjölur) in summer. Remote areas need 4x4.
What to Expect
Vast Highland Desert
The landscape around Blöndulón is among Iceland's starkest: gravel plains and sparse vegetation stretching to the horizon.
Renewable Energy Infrastructure
See the dam and infrastructure that turn the glacial river's power into electricity for Iceland's grid.
Arctic Char Fishing
The reservoir holds Arctic char, and the Blanda river below the dam is one of Iceland's premier salmon rivers. Fishing permits are available seasonally.
Shifting Shorelines
The reservoir's water level changes markedly between seasons, exposing sandy beaches and mudflats when low, and covering them when the glacial melt peaks in summer.
Birdlife
Pink-footed geese and other migratory birds use the area as a staging ground.
Complete Solitude
Few visitors make it to Blöndulón. On most days you will have the landscape to yourself.
Getting There
Blöndulón can be approached from several directions. The eastern end is accessible via Route 35 (Kjölur highland road), which connects Gullfoss in the south to Blönduós in the north. The Kjölur route is a mountain road that can be driven by regular cars in good summer conditions, though a 4x4 is recommended. From the north, the reservoir can also be reached via roads from Blönduós. Highland roads are typically open from mid-June to September. There are no services at the reservoir, so bring all necessary supplies, fuel, and provisions.
Best Time to Visit
Blöndulón is accessible during the summer months when highland roads are open, typically from mid-June through September. July and August have the mildest weather and the longest daylight hours, though conditions in the highlands can change rapidly. The water level is highest in late summer when glacial melt peaks. Early summer may reveal more of the shoreline. Always check road conditions on road.is before departing, and be prepared for cold winds and rapidly changing weather even in summer.
Blöndulón and Gilsárlón do different jobs
The Blanda plant operator describes Blöndulón as the 56 km² storage reservoir. From Kolka Dam, a 25 km system of canals and lakes takes water to Gilsárlón, the smaller intake reservoir. The water then passes through the underground power station before returning to the river. These are separate parts of the same scheme, so an account of Gilsárlón should not be used as Blöndulón’s dimensions.
The station began operating in autumn 1991. Landsvirkjun also records revegetation work over more than 5,000 hectares at 400–600 metres elevation, begun in 1981. That land-management history adds context to the planted or treated areas around a reservoir often described only as an empty highland landscape.
Planning help
Blöndulón FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is Blöndulón used for?
Blöndulón is a reservoir created for the Blönduvirkjun hydroelectric power station, which was completed in 1991. The dam harnesses the Blanda river to generate renewable electricity for Iceland's national grid.
Can you visit Blöndulón?
Yes, though access is limited. The reservoir is located along highland routes in the interior of North Iceland. The eastern end can be reached via Route 35 (Kjölur route), which is a mountain road accessible to regular cars in good conditions during summer. The more remote western areas require 4x4 vehicles.
Is there fishing at Blöndulón?
Fishing is possible in Blöndulón, primarily for Arctic char. The Blanda river below the dam is one of Iceland's finest salmon rivers. Permits are required for both the lake and the river.
What does the landscape around Blöndulón look like?
The area surrounding Blöndulón is often described as lunar or Mars-like. The terrain is largely barren, with vast expanses of gravel, sand, and sparse moss. The stark, treeless landscape stretches to the horizon in all directions.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.