The Dimmuborgir lava field is one of Iceland’s most unique natural sites. Located around Lake Myvatn, it features lava formations of rare complexity, caves, pinnacles and openings sculpted by steam over 2,300 years ago. We were struck by the evocative power of this landscape, where every rock seems to tell a story.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to Dimmuborgir in summer.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit Dimmuborgir in summer?
Is Dimmuborgir worth a visit? Our opinion:
Absolutely. Dimmuborgir is one of Iceland’s most remarkable lava fields, and summer is the ideal season to explore it in depth. Unlike others, this one features exceptionally complex formations: columns of black basalt, through caves and vaulted openings that stimulate the imagination.
We took a number of trails, and every detour held a new surprise. Vegetation – moss, grasses and small shrubs – adds color to this mineral landscape, creating a striking contrast with the black lava. It’s green at the start of summer and turns orange by September.
This is one of the most beautiful natural sites around Lake Myvatn.
Our favorite moments
Dimmuborgir offers a variety of experiences depending on the trail you take. We particularly liked it:
- The church (Kirkja), a walk-through grotto with a domed ceiling reminiscent of the nave of a religious building.
- The view of the Hverfjall crater, visible from several points on the yellow trail, with basalt rocks in the foreground.
- The orientation table at the entrance offers a bird’s-eye view of the lava field and Lake Myvatn.
WHERE TO STAY IN myvatn
Fosshotel Myvatn, with beautiful lake views
See top-rated accommodations
Salt – Hotel Myvatn, near the pseudo-craters
See top-rated accommodations
Dimmuborgir Guesthouse, by the lake
See top-rated accommodations
How to get to Dimmuborgir: access and map
Where is Dimmuborgir?
- Northern Iceland, on the eastern shore of Lake Myvatn
- Driving time from Akureyri: 1h10
- Driving time from Reykjahlíd (main town of Myvatn): 10min
- Driving time from Egilsstadir: 2h10
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there? Access road
The car is the most practical means of getting to Dimmuborgir. From Reykjahlíd, follow the main road for about 5km towards Akureyri (south shore of Lake Myvatn), then turn left onto the secondary road leading to the site for 1.5km. The passageway is well signposted. In summer, the road is in good condition with no particular difficulties.
Most group tours of Iceland stop at Dimmuborgir, and excursions to Lake Myvatn from Akureyri also go there. See options.
Parking
A clearly marked parking area is located at the end of the access road, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance building. In summer, Dimmuborgir is a very busy site: we recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon to find space more easily and enjoy the site with fewer people.
Sorry, we forgot to take a picture of the parking lot.
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
Access to the Dimmuborgir lava field is free of charge, although a donation box is available at the entrance. Toilets are available at a charge (200 kr).
We recommend coming early or late in the day to avoid groups, as the site is one of the most visited in the Myvatn region.
Length of visit and main difficulties
The Dimmuborgir trails vary from 10min to 3h walk, depending on the chosen loop. With just 1 hour on site, you can already see most of the site. The paths near the entrance are paved and accessible without special equipment. Further on, the trails are made of clay and require good walking shoes. No course is really difficult in summer. The basic rule is: never climb on the lava formations and stay on the marked paths, to preserve this fragile site.
Advice on how to visit
Several loops are available from the entrance.
- The yellow loop (900m, 15-20min) on a tarmac path leads to Hallarflöt, a small clearing surrounded by lava peaks.
- The red church loop (Kirkjuhringur, 2.2km, 1h) is our recommendation for a complete visit: it crosses the heart of the lava field to the formation known as “the church”.
- For walkers, the blue Krokastigur trail (850m long) and the green Mellanahringur trail (1.6km long) allow you to explore less-frequented areas.
- The white pointillié makes for a longer hike to the Hverfjall crater.
Visiting with children
Dimmuborgir is a family-friendly site. The paths near the entrance are paved and suitable for young children. Lava formations, caves and holes in the rock stimulate the imagination of little travelers, especially as the area is populated by legends of elves, trolls and Yule Lads.
Remind children not to climb on rocks: lava is brittle and sharp, and falls can be dangerous.
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
In the building at the entrance to the site, you’ll find paying toilets and the Kaffiborgir café-restaurant. In summer, it’s open for hot drinks and snacks, a welcome change after a hike.
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The entrance and view of the lava field
Dimmuborgir impresses as soon as you arrive at the parking lot. An orientation table set up high up at the entrance to the site offers a bird’s-eye view of the lava field and its formations, enabling visitors to grasp the scale of the site even before setting out on the trails.
From the same point, Lake Myvatn and its pseudo-craters appear to the west. We enjoyed this moment of contemplation before descending.
At the start of the walk, explanatory panels detail the geology of the site, making the visit even more rewarding. Take the time to read them, as they provide the keys to understanding what you’re about to see. In summer, the vegetation lining the paved paths near the entrance adds a touch of greenery to the mineral landscape.
Lava formations: geology and curiosities
The Dimmuborgir formations are the result of a rare geological phenomenon. Around 2,300 years ago, a lava tube formed above a lake, trapping water in a reservoir some ten meters deep. As the lava began to cool, the reservoir suddenly released, leaving only the steam-sculpted structures.
We found this origin fascinating, as it explains why Dimmuborgir’s shapes are so different from classic lava fields: perforated columns, vaults, pinnacles and caves follow one another in unexpected succession along the paths. You can observe these details up close, as some formations are only a few metres from the paved path.
Dimmuborgir church: the emblematic formation
Dimmuborgir’s most famous formation is undoubtedly the church (Kirkja in Icelandic). It’s a walk-through grotto, open at both ends, with a domed ceiling that evokes the nave of a religious building.
It’s easy to see why this name was chosen. We took the red loop (Church circle, 2.3km, approx. 1h) to reach it: the path winds through lava, with less spectacular formations than at the entrance. The walk is pleasant.
The church is at the opposite end of the field from the entrance. To get there, bring comfortable walking shoes. This formation and the views from the path are well worth a visit.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN Iceland
- Swimming in the Silfra fissure
- Horseback riding
- Hiking on a glacier
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
View of the Hverfjall crater
Several Dimmuborgir viewpoints add the silhouette of the Hverfjall squi e volcanic crater to the horizon, with black basalt formations in the foreground and a few patches of green or orange vegetation (depending on your month of visit).
Hverfjall is estimated to be 2800-2900 years old and is one of the largest craters of its type, with a diameter of around 1km and a depth of 140m. We thought this combination of lava field in the foreground, volcano in the background, summed up the extraordinary geology of the Myvatn region.
If you’d like to go there, an 8km hike from Dimmuborgir (Dimmuborgir-Hverfjall-Storgja, 2 to 3 hours) allows you to combine the two sites in a single outing.
Legends, folklore and popular culture
Dimmuborgir means “dark castles” or “dark cities” in Icelandic.
According to certain Icelandic traditions, Dimmuborgir is a gateway to the infernal regions, the place where Satan landed after being cast out of heaven.
Other accounts place it as the home of Grýla, a feared ogress of Norse mythology, and her sons, the Yule Lads (Jólasveinar). These colorful characters are a cross between Santa Claus and a troll. They’re part of Iceland’s Christmas tradition: each of the 13 sons arrives in town on a specific day from December 12 to deliver presents to the good children or rotten potatoes to the others.
In December, festivities are organized in the lava field so that children can meet them in costume.
Dimmuborgir was also used as a backdrop for certain scenes in the Game of Thrones series, visible in the background of Mance Rayder’s camp in season 3. A Norwegian symphonic black metal band also bears this name.
View of Lake Myvatn
A few elevated points, including near the parking lot, offer views of Lake Myvatn and the pseudo-craters.
Other nearby attractions
If there’s anything noteworthy:
You can combine your visit to Dimmuborgir with these nearby attractions:
- Skutustadir and its pseudo-craters, a geological curiosity typical of Lake Myvatn (5min drive)
- Hverir, geothermal zone with colorful fumaroles and bubbling mud pots (15min drive)
- Myvatn Nature Baths, the geothermal baths of northern Iceland, ideal for the end of the day (15min drive)
VISIT Myvatn
- Attractions around Lake Myvatn
- Where to sleep: hotels and accommodation
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- How to get there
- Hverfjall
- Hverir
- Dimmuborgir
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dimmuborgir mean?
The Icelandic name Dimmuborgir translates as “dark castles” or “dark cities”. It refers to the appearance of the tall columns of black lava that evoke the towers of a fantastic city, but also to the folklore that this place is a gateway to hell.
Can you visit Dimmuborgir in winter?
The access road is cleared of snow and the part closest to the parking lot is accessible in winter. But the other trails are not cleared of snow at all. See our article on visiting Dimmuborgir in winter.
Does Dimmuborgir appear in Game of Thrones?
Yes. The Dimmuborgir lava field was used as a backdrop for certain scenes in the Game of Thrones series. He can be seen in the background of Mance Rayder’s camp in season 3. This is one of the reasons why so many fans of the series visit this site.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER TRIP TO iceland
- Best of
What to do in Iceland
The most beautiful waterfalls
The most beautiful black sand beaches
Volcanic craters to climb
Lava caves to visit
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Summer travel tips
How to rent a car in Iceland
Driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
What to do in Reykjavik
Best attractions in the Golden Circle
South Coast attractions
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Silver Circle
Lake Myvatn attractions
