Hike to Volcanic Eruption Sites & Reykjanes Tour

Itinerary

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  Pick-up

  Central Reykjavik

  Join the tour at our central Reykjavík meeting point or pay extra for pickup from various approved locations throughout the downtown area. When everyone is on board our comfortable minibus we will then depart from the capital, and begin our exciting road trip with an experienced, knowledgeable tour guide.

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  1

  Lake Kleifarvatn

  (Depending on the duration of the volcano hike, we may skip this stop)

  Our first stop of the day is at Lake Kleifarvatn, the biggest lake in the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula. The lake is surrounded by fascinating geological features such as palagonite and sandstone mountains, formed in ancient subglacial volcanic eruptions.
  The lake is rimmed with black basalt beaches and beautiful rock formations sculpted by weather elements throughout the centuries. Kleifarvatn has been severely affected by seismic activity in recent years which led to the lake partially draining. This activity also created a new hot spring in one corner of the lake. The Lake’s folklore gives this stunning place an extra mysterious feeling.

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  2

  Seltún Geothermal Area

  (Depending on the duration of the volcano hike, we may skip this stop.)

  Our next stop is at Seltún, where you can view the effect that geothermal waters can have on an environment. Here one can walk along wooden paths winding between boiling and hissing mud pools and streams of natural hot water flowing over the colorful ground and rock. The air is thick with the smell of sulfur emitted from these hot springs. Beneath the surface, the hot water dissolves minerals such as sulfur from the rocks and ground soil, leading to this distinctive stench. Two viewing platforms overhang the area allowing you a 360-degree point of view over the area.

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  3

  Volcano Hike

  We now reach the main event – hiking to the new volcano eruption site. Normally volcanic eruptions in Iceland occur in very remote and difficult-to-reach locations.

  On the drive through Reykjanes, you will have seen moss-covered lava fields formed many thousands of years ago. The new and rapidly cooling lava fields will no doubt resemble them in years to come. We begin our hike and take the available route to the 2021 or 2022 eruptions at Fagradalsfjall and Meradalir Volcanoes. These new lava fields are vast and meet the recently erupted lava from the Litli-Hrut Volcano 2023 eruption.

  We hike to the best viewing point, which can vary from day to day due to weather. The hike can take up to 2 hours each way.

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  4

  Gunnuhver hot springs

  We proceed to Gunnuhver Hot Springs, the centerpiece of the UNESCO Global Geopark. This protected geothermal area is highly active, with steam vents and mud pools dotting the landscape.

  In myth, the mischievous ghost of Gúðrun or Gúnna was trapped here in the mud pools. Perhaps the violent, barely repressed nature of the area can be explained by the presence of this angry ghost! “Hver” is the Icelandic word for a hot spring. So this is the hot spring of Gunna or Gunnuhver.

  Iceland’s largest mud pool is located here and measures 20m in diameter. Like at Seltun, the smelly sulphuric steam lingers over the area.

  Geothermal power plants are common in Iceland and Iceland is a world leader in harnessing this raw geothermal energy as well as in renewable energy. The nearby Reykjanes Power Station uses this thermal water for electricity generation and district heating for the locality.

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  5

  Reykjanesviti Lighthouse in the coastal landscape

  From a distance, the majestic Reykjanesviti lighthouse emerges as a striking feature in the coastal landscape.

  Dating from the early 20th century and rising 63 meters above sea level, its dramatic silhouette provides travelers with a perfect photo opportunity—framing the lighthouse against the rugged, untamed landscape.

  The surrounding area offers a glimpse of natural wonders: the Valhnúkamöl boulder ridge, impressive sea cliffs, sea stacks, and skerries that provide nesting havens for a variety of seabirds. In the distance, Eldey Island is known for its impressive Northern Gannet colony, while the ever-changing North Atlantic waves continue to shape this dynamic seascape.

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  6

  The Bridge between Continents

  Our last stop of the day is the Bridge between Continents. After witnessing the effects of seismic activity over the course of this day, here is an opportunity to visualize the root cause of all the wonders you have seen.

  Reykjanes peninsula lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two major tectonic plates are moving apart from one another, the gap increasing by a few centimeters each year. This location is one of the few locations on earth in which this ridge is above sea level. The bridge between continents is a 15-meter footbridge that gives you a unique opportunity to walk between the two tectonic plates where North America and Europe drift apart.

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  Drop-off

  Central Reykjavik

  We get back on the bus and begin our drive back to the city center which will take just under 1 hour and will see moss-covered lava fields, the remains of past volcanic eruptions in this region scarred and built from seismic activity.