Volcanoes
Discover Iceland's volcanoes
After a rental car trip into the wintry nature in one of the famous hot spots - the Blue Lagoon - let yourself be lapped by warm water and enjoy the view of the snowy lava fields. The largest volcanic island on earth has something unique to offer. Iceland is almost always on lava rock. While elsewhere historic ruins function as silent witnesses, nature itself tells the story of the island.
Get to know it during your vacation
The wide valleys and impressive plains between the volcanoes create a very special atmosphere. Apparently far from any civilization, nature encounters you here in the form of all four elements: Clear air gives the view of mighty glaciers, from which raging streams spring. These dig deep gorges in the colourful soil and pour over wide waterfalls. On the slopes of the surrounding mountains, mighty stone rivers are silent monuments of long-lost or recently frozen lava flows.
Info: Many of the Icelandic volcanoes are covered by glaciers (Icelandic: "Jökull"), their kilometer-wide craters are surmounted by huge peaks. The names of the volcanoes, glaciers and peaks are sometimes congruent, while elsewhere they differ completely independently. For example, Eyjafjallajökull describes both the glacier and the underlying volcano, which erupted in 2010. The traces of this eruption can be explored on a round trip up close. Mýrdalsjökull on the other hand refers to the glacier above the volcano Katla.
Volcanoes on Iceland
The high volcanic activity below Iceland can be attributed to the special location of the island. Along the edges of the Eurasian and North American continental plates runs a mighty mountain range that rarely rises from the Atlantic Ocean. One of those rare places is Iceland, whose connections stretch across the gap between the two continents to the very bottom: the glowing magma lakes.
In total, Iceland hosts 31 active volcanic systems. However, geologists refer to every volcano that has erupted in the last 10,000 years as "active". Many of these dormant giants can therefore be safely visited when traveling through Iceland. Nevertheless, we recommend you find your way with an experienced guide! Below are some of the most beautiful destinations for "volcano travelers".
The Hvannadalshnúkur is the highest elevation of Iceland with 2,110 meters. The summit is on the edge of the five kilometer wide caldera of Öræfajökull, which is one of the most powerful central volcanoes on the island. The Hvannadalshnúkur is one of the most popular destinations among mountaineers - we recommend using a knowledgeable guide however, not least because of the necessary glacier crossing. We would be happy to arrange a mountain guide for you.