Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±

Hverfjall

Top choice


Dominating the lava fields on the eastern edge of Mývatn is the classic tephra ring Hverfjall (also called Hverfell). This near-symmetrical crater appeared 2700 years ago in a cataclysmic eruption. Rising 452m from the ground and stretching 1040m across, it is a massive and awe-inspiring landmark in Mývatn.

The crater is composed of loose gravel, but an easy track leads from the northwestern end (toilets here) to the summit and offers stunning views of the crater itself and the surrounding landscape. A path runs along the western rim of the crater to a lookout at the southern end before descending steeply towards Dimmuborgir.

Access the walking track via a signed gravel road – it's about 2.5km from the main road to the car park.


Contact

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Dimmuborgir

1.32 MILES

The giant jagged lava field at Dimmuborgir (literally ‘Dark Castles’) is one of the most fascinating flows in the country. A series of nontaxing, colour…

2. ³Ò°ùÂáó³Ù²¹²µÂáá

1.45 MILES

Game of Thrones fans may recognise this as the place where Jon Snow is, ahem, deflowered by Ygritte. ³Ò°ùÂáó³Ù²¹²µÂáá is a gaping fissure with a 45°C water…

3. ³§³Ùó°ù²¹²µÂáá

2.33 MILES

Signposted about 100m beyond Reykjahlíð is ³§³Ùó°ù²¹²µÂáá, a rather eerie fissure (slightly tricky to access) that was once a popular bathing spot. Cooling…

4. Bjarnarflag

2.56 MILES

Bjarnarflag, 3km east of Reykjahlíð, is an active geothermal area where the earth hisses and bubbles, and steaming vents line the valley. Historically the…

5. ±áö´Úð¾±

2.75 MILES

One of the area’s gentlest landscapes is on the forested lava headland at ±áö´Úð¾±. Wildflowers, birch and spruce trees cover the bluffs, while the tiny…

6. ±·Ã¡³¾²¹´ÚÂá²¹±ô±ô

2.97 MILES

Vaporous vents cover the pinky-orange ±·Ã¡³¾²¹´ÚÂá²¹±ô±ô ridge, which lies 3km east of Bjarnarflag on the south side of the Ring Road. Produced by a fissure…

7. Reykjahlíð Church

2.98 MILES

During the Krafla eruption of 1727, the ³¢±ð¾±°ù³ó²ÔÂáú°ì³Ü°ù crater, 11km northeast of Reykjahlíð, kicked off a two-year period of volcanic activity, sending…

8. Eldhraun

3.11 MILES

The lava field along Mývatn’s northern lakeshore includes the flow that nearly engulfed the Reykjahlíð Church. It was belched out of ³¢±ð¾±°ù³ó²ÔÂáú°ì³Ü°ù during…