Your Complete Guide to Volcano Hikes in Iceland

Few experiences are as interesting and exciting as a volcano hike in Iceland. 

Iceland is full of volcanoes, creating some of the world’s most unique landscapes and geological features.

Nowhere else in the world do you find hiking trails that lead through lava fields, glaciers, and ice caves and to an impressive summit at the end. 

If you’re interested in the ultimate Iceland adventure, we recommend adding volcano hiking to your itinerary. 

Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a volcanic hotspot where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are moving apart. This unique location provides Iceland with many active volcanoes. 

In fact, Iceland has more than 30 active volcanic systems, and eruptions happen quite often—about once every five years on average.

Iceland has over 130 volcanic mountains, but only 18 have erupted since people first settled there around the year 874. This means there are plenty of safe routes for an Iceland volcano hike.

The country’s volcanic activity also causes frequent earthquakes.

Most of these earthquakes are minor and happen in areas where nobody lives, but sometimes people do feel them.

For example, in 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula experienced many earthquakes and aftershocks before the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted.

Volcanoes have significantly shaped Iceland’s unique landscape - creating some of the world’s most beautiful natural sights. 

Visitors to Iceland can see towering volcanic mountains, vast lava fields, hot springs, and, of course, go volcano hiking. These unique features are a big reason many people want to plan a trip to Iceland.

When you visit Iceland, you can see volcanoes all over the country. Without listing all of them, here are some of the most well-known volcanoes in Iceland. 

Hekla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes in the south. This volcano is also known as the “Queen of Iceland” as it’s such an imposing sight.

Since people settled in Iceland in the 9th century, the enormous Hekla has erupted over 20 times.

The most recent eruption was in 2000, and scientists closely monitor Hekla for signs of future eruptions.

The active volcano is also an essential part of Icelandic folklore and history. 

Eyjafjallajökull is another active volcano in southern Iceland. It became famous in 2010 when it erupted, causing major air travel disruptions across Europe. 

This eruption lasted over a month and started after months of seismic activity. The ash cloud from the eruption affected air travel for over a week.

Askja is a caldera in Iceland’s central highlands. It is one of the country’s most active volcanic systems.  

If you want to go volcano hiking in Iceland, the area around Askja is one of the best places to do it. The surrounding area is beautiful, and thanks to the volcanic activity, it’s covered in unique geological features.

Katla is another major volcano in southern Iceland.

It’s one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Iceland’s history, and you’ll likely pass it on an Iceland road trip. 

Glaciers surround the volcano, making it a seriously impressive sight. Ice cave tours operate on this volcano, and there are some great glacier hikes around it.

Hiking a volcano in Iceland is an exciting and unique adventure. 

Volcano hikes in Iceland involve trekking through diverse and often rugged landscapes that are full of interesting geological features. This includes lava fields, craters, and geothermal areas. 

The trails on a volcano can vary in difficulty, ranging from easy walks on lava fields suitable for all ages to challenging ascents that require good fitness and proper gear. 

No matter what volcano hike in Iceland you go on, you’ll witness amazing views of volcanic mountains, glaciers, hot springs, and the dramatic aftermath of past eruptions.

Remember, this isn’t your average hiking adventure!

Pro tip: Check out our guide on How To Travel Around Iceland for more info on getting around this wild country.

If you plan to hike a volcano in Iceland, you should do it with a guided tour. These tours provide valuable insights into the area’s geology and history.

They’re also important for a safe hiking experience, as there’s a lot to be cautious of when you’re hiking an active volcano.

Many volcano hikes in Iceland also involve things like glacier hiking, exploring ice caves, or navigating dangerous volcanic landscapes.

A guide with the right gear and knowledge is essential for these hikes.

Are you interested in hiking a volcano in Iceland?

It’s one of the best ways to experience the raw power of nature up close! Here are some of Iceland’s best routes for climbing and exploring volcanoes. 

The Fimmvörðuháls Trail is one of Iceland’s most challenging and rewarding hikes. 

This 16-mile trail starts at Skógar and takes you through a diverse landscape of waterfalls, glaciers, and lava fields - all the fantastic natural features you can only experience when hiking in Iceland. 

When hiking this volcano trail, you’ll see the aftermath of two famous eruptions: Eyjafjallajökull and Fimmvörðuháls. This means experiencing some really unique lava landscapes.

The trail offers superb views the entire way, providing a fantastic immersive experience of Iceland’s natural beauty.

Due to its difficulty, we’d recommend this day hike for experienced hikers only.

The Snæfellsjökull Summit Hike is a challenging trek up a stratovolcano on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

The volcano’s summit is 1,446 meters (4,744 feet) above sea level, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, mountains, glaciers, and the Atlantic Ocean.

However, it’s also a steep and intense hike, so wear sturdy boots and feel fit enough.

The hike generally takes about 5-7 hours and requires some mountaineering experience, as you’ll be climbing up unique volcanic landscapes. 

This hike is a perfect day excursion for adventurers, and the views at the top are rewarding.

If you’re going to do a volcano hike in Iceland, why not do one with a relaxing hot spring?

The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Hike is a popular day trip from Reykjavik. This 6-mile trail leads to a geothermal valley with hot springs and bubbling mud pools.

It’s also an easy hiking trail, suitable for all fitness and experience levels.

As you hike the trail, you can enjoy awesome views of the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean.

At the end of the hike, you can relax in the natural hot springs, which is the perfect way to unwind after this volcanic adventure.

The Askja Caldera Trail takes you through the remote and rugged Icelandic highlands to the Askja Caldera. This 8-mile trail is challenging, with steep climbs and rough terrain, but the effort is well worth it. 

At the end, you’ll find a massive volcanic crater filled with turquoise water. It’s a breathtaking sight in a completely remote setting! 

The barren volcanic landscape offers a unique hiking experience. 

This trail is ideal for those looking to explore one of Iceland’s most dramatic geological features and get a feel for what volcanoes here are all about.

Located on the island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands, the Eldfell Volcano Hike is a short but fascinating trek.

It’s a bit off the beaten path, and not many visitors do this volcano hike. However, if you’re in the area, we recommend giving it a go.

The 1.5-mile trail leads to the summit of Eldfell, which erupted in 1973 and reshaped the island’s coastline.

You’ll experience stunning views of the islands and the Atlantic Ocean from the summit. 

This hike is easy and suitable for hikers of all levels.

Hvannadalshnúkur is Iceland’s highest peak, at 2,110 meters (6,920 feet). It is located on the glacier-topped volcano Öræfajökull in southeast Iceland.

It’s a bucket list hike that offers fantastic rewards for the brave people who attempt it.

This hike is challenging and requires proper equipment and a guide.

The ascent takes you through a dramatic volcanic landscape with views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and rugged terrain.

Good mountaineering experience is important here, as you’ll be switching between glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and steep ascents.

The Hvannadalshnúkur Summit hike may be challenging, but it’s a fantastic experience for hikers seeking a thrilling and rewarding adventure. Just make sure you’re adequately prepared.

This is one of the best regions in Iceland for hiking active volcanoes.

The Reykjanes Peninsula is home to several volcanic sites.

The Reykjanes Peninsula includes Fagradalsfjall and Geldingadalir, which erupted in 2021 and 2022. These gentle eruptions created a new lava field that attracts thousands of hikers. 

Several trails lead to these volcanic areas, offering a chance to see the fresh lava and unique landscape. The landscape is constantly changing, and it’s fascinating to see up close.

This hike is a must for those interested in witnessing the power of Icelandic volcanoes. It’s not the most challenging hike, but you must always check current trail conditions before heading out.

The Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel is an enchanting underground hike 30 minutes from Reykjavik. 

It’s a short 1.3 km (0.8 mile) trail that takes you through a lava tube formed over 5000 years ago - who wouldn’t want to experience that while visiting Reykjavik?

The hike is relatively easy but can be dark and narrow in some places, so a guided tour is recommended.

Exploring Raufarhólshellir is an excellent first glimpse into Iceland’s volcanic activity, perfect to do before heading out on more intense volcano hikes.

This experience is also suitable for all ages.

The Laugavegur Trail is a multi-day 55-kilometre hike through some of Iceland’s most diverse landscapes.

This is one of the best hikes for getting a good feel for Icelandic geography.

The trail starts in Landmannalaugar, known for its colourful rhyolite mountains and hot springs.

After 3 to 4 days of hiking, the trail ends in Þórsmörk valley, surrounded by glaciers and volcanoes. 

While the trek doesn’t involve significant volcano summits, you will enjoy stunning views of lava fields, glaciers, and craters.

This trail is ideal for hikers looking to experience a wide range of Iceland’s natural beauty.

It’s not a difficult trail, but you must be prepared and fit enough to hike for around four days.

The Katla Volcano hike is an adventurous trek to one of Iceland’s largest and most active volcanoes. 

Although Katla’s last major eruption was in 1918, it remains a significant geological site.

The hike takes you through rugged terrain and past stunning glaciers. This enormous volcano is in a remote area, and getting there involves hiking through some of Iceland’s most serene landscapes.

Due to Katla’s potential for dangerous floods (thanks to the surrounding glaciers), the volcano is closely monitored.

Guided tours are recommended for navigating this tricky terrain. 

During this volcano hike, you can also explore nearby ice caves—something you can only do with a guide. 

There’s a volcano hike in Iceland for everyone, and we recommend it if you want to experience Iceland’s unique landscape. 

Are you looking for more exciting and unforgettable experiences? Check out our guided Iceland tours for hiking, kayaking, and camping in some of the country’s most beautiful parts.