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Hverfjall is the mountain that came into existence with a bang, and it’s sure to leave a mark on your Iceland holiday. This massive crater sits next to one of the most vibrant nature areas in Iceland and offers up a view that’s worthy of a framed picture on the wall. Follow us as we deep dive into this crater to show you why it needs to be a part of your next holiday in Iceland.
What is Hverfjall and How Was it Formed?
The classic depiction of a volcano is a tall, pointy mountain that looks like someone scooped out a part of the top. If someone would take a volcano like that and just squish it out so it becomes very flat and wide, that would be the best way to describe the appearance of the Hverfjall Volcano.
How Hverfjall was Created
There is a good reason why Hverfjall looks like a flat and wide caricature of a volcano. Unlike most other volcanos in Iceland, Hverfjall was created in one single eruption as opposed to being slowly built up by multiple eruptions over a long period of time.
About 2,500 years ago, this area was a large wetland on top of an active volcanic fissure. If you have ever tried to pour water on top of extremely hot coals, you probably noticed that it resulted in steam being violently shot upwards at first before the coals cool down. What happened here 2,500 years ago was something similar.
The Krafla fissure, which Hverfjall sits on top of, contains a low viscosity (fancy talk for “runny”) type of magma, which means that the lava will quickly run from the fissure and spread over a large area during a normal eruption. When Hverfjall was created, a large amount of low-viscosity magma encountered large volumes of water, essentially creating a large explosion instead of the traditional blanket of lava.
This explosion is what created the characteristic wide caldera we see today. Most of the lava that flew up in the air landed in a neat circle around the eruption point, which is why the Hverfjall Crater looks the way it does. This type of eruption is called an explosive tephra eruption, where “tephra” is the scientific name for “anything that gets flung into the air during a volcanic eruption”.
Features of Hverfjall
Due to the eruption, the caldera is almost completely symmetrical and not very high along the ridge. The crater is roughly one kilometer in diameter and reaches 200 meters in height with a caldera depth of about 140 meters.
The unique explosive eruption resulted in a crater made of loose soil and rock, which is unusual since most volcanos in Iceland are comparatively solid. This loose composition led to a large landslide on the southern part of the crater, which disrupted the otherwise round shape.
The composition is also the reason why some areas are closed off and not open to the public. These are protected to preserve Hverfjall in Iceland as well as possible, ensuring that this volcanic phenomenon is available for future generations to enjoy too.
Where is Hverfjall?
You find Hverfjall in the Mývatn area in the northern part of Iceland. It’s right to the east of the large lake and incredibly easy to spot. It has a couple of neighboring craters, but they’re not nearly as impressive or aesthetically pleasing.
How Do I Get to Hverfjall?
From Reykjavik, simply drive Ring Road 1 heading north and continue past Akureyri until you reach Reykjahlid. From there, drive Road 848 going south until you see the gravel road that leads to the massive crater – it’s impossible to miss. When you reach the parking space at the start of the Hverfjall volcano trail, you will have to pay a parking fee of ISK 1,000 (USD 7.25)
This route is about 470 kilometers long and will take almost 6 hours to drive.
Since this is quite far from the capital, it will need to be a multi-day tour to make logistical sense. We, therefore, encourage you to either plan multiple stops along the way or bake it into a visit to northern Iceland.
Some will go as far as flying domestic to Akureyri and driving roughly an hour from there. But we would rather recommend you take the time to see the country along the way than fly over it.
There are unfortunately no tours going to Hverfjall, and it’s not close enough to the other attractions to be within walking distance unless you’re up for a long roadside hike. Getting here with your rental car is going to be your best option.
Hverfjall Hiking – Walking Along the Rim
Now that you’ve arrived, it’s time to take on the volcano. There are two hiking trails you’re allowed to use. Since the area is protected, you’re not allowed to walk all over the crater as you wish, so it’s important to stick to the marked routes.
Northern Trail
At the main parking area, the start of the northern trail begins. It’s the most straightforward of the two and the easiest climb as the slope is not very steep and the path is pretty solid. When you reach the ridge, you can walk around the rim of the crater and enjoy the views as you go.
The western side of Hverfjall provides a panoramic view of Lake Mývatn and lush wetlands. The eastern part showcases the massive lava fields and distant mountains.
Southern Trail
If you want something more challenging, the southern trail is a better option. To reach the start of this trail, you must hike around the crater, past the gravel road, and continue along the base of Hverfjall until you see the marked route going up the side. If you are extra adventurous, you can hike all the way from Dimmuborgir to the south of Hverfjall. This will add an extra 45 minutes to your hike.
The southern side is steep and can be extra slippery in the winter. The route at the top is the same, and you can opt to descend on the northern side if you want to have an easy route back to the parking lot. Otherwise, simply walk along the rim until you see the southern trail going down and go back the same way you came.
Hiking Preparations
Even though this is one of the easier hikes in Iceland, it’s important to be well-prepared. It will be windy at the top, regardless of the weather, so having a windproof jacket will be your top priority. Secondly, the terrain is rough, so you will need a pair of sturdy hiking boots that can handle the rocky path.
Bringing a drink and a snack will make the Hverfjall hike more enjoyable since climbing 200 meters vertically takes more out of you than you might think. Nothing ruins a hike as quickly as a rumbling stomach.
Before you go, you can use the restroom at the parking lot for ISK 200 (USD 1.5). You don’t want to be stuck at the top when nature calls.
When Can I Visit Hverfjall?
This pitch-black crater is open all year round, making it a viable option for any season of the year. We would recommend sticking to either summer or winter, though, as spring and fall tend to be more prone to hard winds and rain.
Summer is going to provide the most comfortable visit, but you might have to rub elbows with other visitors at the top. In the summer, you can take a hike under the Midnight Sun in Iceland if you want a special experience,
The winter offers a more challenging hike but rewards you with a thick blanket of snow as far as the eye can see. The winter is also less crowded and can be incredibly quiet and peaceful if you manage to catch a wind-still day. If you go late at night, you might get lucky and catch Hverfjall basking in the Northern Lights in Iceland. It’s a pretty sight to see and well worth the effort of the climb and the extra cups of coffee.
Mývatn and Surroundings
The Hverfjall crater hike isn’t a long one as it takes about 2 hours (using the northern trail) to complete. When you’re done with the hike, you can check out these options around Hverfjall:
- Grotagja Cave
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Skútustaðagígar Pseudo-craters
- Lake Mývatn
- Dimmuborgir Lava Fields
Where to Stay Around Hverfjall
Hverfjal has a lot to offer in its vicinity and it will take more than a full day to see it all without rushing. Below are a few accommodation options at different price points:
- Fosshotel Mývatn – a classic hotel with all that comes with it. On the pricier side but won’t break your travel budget.
- Vogar Camping – the budget-friendly option for the one who wants to stay as close to nature as possible.
- Hotel Laxá – a luxurious option compared to the others. Further up the price range, but worth the pampering.
- Hlid Mývatn – offering a hostel, cottages, camping spots, and a guesthouse. This area has it all in one place. Prices vary depending on the choice of accommodation.
Begin Your Adventure at Hverfjall
If you want to see something off the beaten path and close to many other attractions, Hverfjall must be a part of your north Iceland itinerary. This area is rich in nature and history and will offer you a vantage point to spot new places to visit in the area. All that’s left to do now is to rent a car in Reykjavik and head out on your adventure!
