The Hverfjall crater, located on the shores of Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland, is one of the best-preserved tephra cones in the world. We were struck by its extraordinary proportions, and its almost perfectly circular silhouette dominating the surrounding volcanic landscape.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to Hverfjall Crater.
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 Iceland’s Hverfjall crater?
Is the Hverfjall crater worth a visit? Our opinion:
Yes, the Hverfjall crater is well worth a visit. This is one of the best-preserved tephra-cone volcanoes in the world, dating back some 2,500 years. Its size is impressive from the outset, and its perimeter can be covered entirely on foot.
Its dimensions are: 1km in diameter and nearly 200m deep.
A hike along the ledge offers breathtaking views of the crater floor, Lake Myvatn and the surrounding colorful mountains. We found it a truly unique experience, quite different from what you’d see elsewhere in Iceland.
This is one of the best activities in the Lake Myvatn region and one ofIceland’s mostbeautiful craters.
Our favorite moments
The Hverfjall hike offered several highlights. We particularly appreciated it:
- The view inside the crater: from the ledge, you can clearly see the bare floor and asymmetrical walls of the volcano, with gigantic boulders ejected 2,500 years ago still visible on the slopes.
- The panorama of Lake Myvatn: as you walk around the edge of the lake, you discover the lake’s blue waters, the surrounding lava fields and the ochre and red mountains.
- The sheer scale of the crater: the number of hikers on the rim makes it easy to appreciate the sheer size of the crater, a sensation difficult to reproduce in photographs.
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 the Hverfjall crater: access and map
Where is the Hverfjall crater?
- On the eastern shore of Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland, south of the village of Reykjahlíd
- Driving time from Akureyri: 1h10
- Driving time from Egilsstadir: 2h10
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there? Access road
The best way to reach Hverfjall is by car. From the main road along Lake Myvatn, a bend south of Reykjahlíd leads away from the lake towards the crater, clearly indicated. A 5-minute gravel road leads directly to the parking lot at the foot of the volcano.
Please note that access may be restricted in the event of adverse weather conditions or for site protection reasons. Follow the marked trails to limit erosion on the crater slopes.
Parking
Pay parking is available at the foot of the crater in summer.
The fee is ISK 1,000 per car, adjustable via the Parka app or online.
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
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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
Summer is the ideal season for hiking the Hverfjall. The days are long under the Icelandic midnight sun, giving you plenty of flexibility when it comes to choosing your schedule. We advise you to come early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the crowds and benefit from the softer light on the crater walls.
Entrance to the site is free, with a charge for parking.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow at least 1h30 to 2h to fully enjoy the site.
- The climb from the parking lot to the crater rim takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on your physical condition.
- We covered the entire length of the corniche in 1h30 at a leisurely pace.
- It’s also possible to climb only as far as an elevated viewpoint if you want to shorten the outing: the best views are (in our opinion) about one-fifth of the way round, counter-clockwise from the ascent from the parking lot.
The climb from the parking lot is the most accessible: the path is even and wide enough to stop and let other walkers pass. The ascent from Dimmuborgir is considerably steeper and requires a 45-minute walk on level ground to reach the base of the crater.
Once at the top, on the edge, some sections have small ascents and descents, but the trail remains wide. Avoid hiking in strong winds. Wear good, closed-toe shoes and several layers of clothing: the weather can change rapidly at altitude.
Advice on how to visit
The cornice trail is only accessible by two signposted paths: from the parking lot at the foot of the crater, or from Dimmuborgir. To preserve the volcano’s fragile slopes, it is strictly forbidden to use other routes up or down. Once on the edge, you can choose your direction of travel. We recommend going anticlockwise to quickly reach one of the highest points of the crater, which offers an exceptional panorama of the volcano’s interior and Lake Myvatn.
In the photo below, you can see how tall the hikers are at the top of the crater, to give you some perspective.
Visiting with children
The Hverfjall hike is suitable for families with children accustomed to walking. The ascent from the parking lot is best suited to younger children. On the crater rim, the path is wide, but there are no protective barriers: be sure to supervise attentive children on the sections overhanging the inner walls. Closed-toe, grippy shoes are essential for all.
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
There are no facilities on the Hverfjall site itself: no toilets, no catering facilities.
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The climb: up to the crater rim
The ascent from the parking lot is the recommended starting point for access to the Corniche trail. The path is even, laid out on volcanic gravel, and the gradient is manageable even for less-experienced walkers. But it’s all gravel, and you sink a little deeper with each step.
Allow 10-20min depending on your pace. The width of the trail means you can stop at any time to take a breather or let other hikers pass.
We recommend taking the time to look back on the climb: the view of the parking lot, the gravel road and the lava fields stretching down to the lake increases with every step.
The second ascent option, from Dimmuborgir, is reserved for hikers in good physical condition: it involves a 45min flat walk across the lava field before beginning a much steeper ascent.
The geology of Hverfjall: an extraordinary volcano
Hverfjall is a tephra cone, a type of volcano formed during a phreatomagmatic eruption: an explosion caused by contact between magma and groundwater. Scientists estimate that this eruption occurred around 2,500 years ago. The result is a circular, bare crater, 1km in diameter and an average depth of 200m, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
It is part of the Krafla fissure zone, 90km long, which structures the entire geology of the Myvatn region.
The crater’s shape is not perfectly symmetrical: a landslide in the southern part at the time of the eruption slightly altered its contour.
The name Hverfjall translates as “mountain of hot springs” (Hver = hot spring, Fjall = mountain), a reminder of the intense geothermal activity that characterizes the entire area.
The cornice trail: around the crater
Once on the edge, the cornice trail offers an experience found nowhere else in Iceland. We covered the entire tour in 1h30 at a slow pace, taking the time to stop often to observe the crater floor and the surrounding scenery. The path climbs and descends in places, but remains wide enough for comfortable walking. In strong winds, caution is called for: the edge has no protective barrier.
If you don’t want to go all the way round, we recommend walking about a fifth of the way counter-clockwise from the finish point of the climb. This section leads to one of the highest points of the crater, from where the view of the floor and inner walls is particularly stunning. From the shore, you can also see the full extent of Lake Myvatn, the lava flows of Dimmuborgir and the colorful relief of the region’s volcanic mountains. Bring several layers of clothing: even in summer, the wind can be strong at altitude.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN Iceland
- Swimming in the Silfra fissure
- Horseback riding
- Hiking on a glacier
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
Views from the summit: Lake Myvatn and volcanic landscapes
The views from the edge of the Hverfjall are one of the great rewards of the hike. Lake Myvatn appears in all its complexity: its jagged contours, volcanic islands and waters whose hue changes with the light. On a clear day, the colorful contours of the surrounding mountains form a spectacular horizon.
The height of the rim also makes it possible to perceive the extent of the Krafla volcanic zone, of which Hverfjall is a part. In the distance, you can make out the fumaroles and active geothermal zones that dot the region. These views are difficult to capture in photographs, but they alone justify the effort of the climb.
For the best light conditions, we recommend coming in the early morning or late afternoon, when the low-angled sun accentuates the textures and hues of the volcanic rocks.
Hverfjall from a distance
Even without the hike, the Hverfjall can be admired from several points around Lake Myvatn. Its characteristic silhouette, a naked, circular, slightly flattened dome, can be seen from the roads bordering the lake, particularly from the Dimmuborgir lava field, where the top of the crater can be seen silhouetted against the sky.
Seen from afar, the climb may seem insignificant, but as soon as you approach its base, the volcano’s true scale becomes clear.
We enjoyed observing it from the lake shore: at this distance, the total nakedness of its walls contrasts sharply with the sparse vegetation surrounding Myvatn. If you don’t have a lot of time, a simple stop from the road will give you an idea of its uniqueness in the landscape. For photographers, the golden hours of morning or evening produce particularly interesting contrasts on its surface.
Other nearby attractions
If there’s anything noteworthy:
You can combine your visit to Hverfjall Crater with these nearby attractions:
- Dimmuborgir, a lava field with spectacular rock formations, nicknamed “the dark city” – one of the most unique sites in the Myvatn region (just a few minutes from the Hverfjall parking lot).
- Skutustadagigar, pseudocraters formed by steam explosions on the shores of Lake Myvatn, accessible via a short footpath (approx. 10min drive).
- Krafla Viti, a volcanic crater whose floor shelters a lake of changing shades of green and blue – less imposing than the Hverfjall but very photogenic (approx. 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
How difficult is the Hverfjall hike?
The ascent from the parking lot is accessible to most: the path is regular and the slope, although steep, does not present any technical passages. Just take your time and stop if you need to. At the edge, the path rises and falls in places, but remains wide and passable. Closed-toe walking shoes are essential. Avoid hiking in strong winds, as the edge is exposed and unprotected.
Can we hike Hverfjall in winter?
In winter it’s still possible to hike on Hverfjall, but you need good equipment and experience. See our article on Myvatn in winter.
In winter, the gravel road is not clear and you have to park on the main road. From the parking lot, you can already see the path leading up to the crater rim.
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
