Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike: The Original Local Experience
Description
The Original Local Experience. Join the first local team guiding visitors through the Fagradalsfjall eruption area since the first eruption in 2021. This is more than a volcano hike. It's a journey through Iceland's newest volcanic landscapes with local guides from Grindavík and Keflavík who experienced these events firsthand. Walk across fresh lava from eruptions as recent as July 2025, explore dramatic volcanic landscapes, and discover how repeated eruptions transformed both the land and the local community. Hear firsthand stories, learn about Icelandic geology, and enjoy one small Icelandic surprise. ✔️ The Original Local Experience since 2021 ✔️ Guided by the first local team ✔️ Walk across Iceland's newest lava fields ✔️ Small groups for a more personal experience ✔️ Visit Grindavík and hear firsthand stories ✔️ Includes one small Icelandic surprise
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your journey starts with a scenic drive across the Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark known for its intense geothermal activity, lava fields, and volcanic craters. This surreal landscape, often compared to the surface of Mars, offers a striking introduction to Iceland’s raw natural power. This portion of the tour is included for guests who select pickup from Reykjavík. If you're joining the self-drive option, you'll meet directly at the Fagradalsfjall trailhead.
Pass through the evacuated eruption zone near Grindavík, where recent volcanic activity has reshaped the landscape and disrupted daily life. This powerful section of the tour offers a firsthand glimpse into the real-time impact of Iceland’s ongoing eruptions, highlighting both the force of nature and the resilience of local communities.
Explore Fagradalsfjall, Iceland’s most active and talked-about volcano, where continuous eruptions from 2021 to 2025 have transformed the landscape into a dramatic display of fresh lava flows, steaming ground, and new craters. This 5-mile (8 km) round-trip hike includes about 984 feet (300 m) of elevation gain and offers a rare chance to walk across terrain formed just days or months ago. Located just an hour from Reykjavík, it’s one of the few places in the world where you can safely witness the raw aftermath of recent volcanic activity up close.
Take a short walk through the vibrant and steamy Seltún Geothermal Area, where boiling mud pools, fumaroles, and colorful mineral deposits showcase Iceland’s powerful geothermal forces. The bubbling landscape offers a striking contrast to the rugged lava fields nearby and makes for a memorable photo stop. This visit is included for guests who choose Reykjavík pickup. Self-drive participants will join the group directly at the Fagradalsfjall trailhead. (Weather permitted)
Pause at Kleifarvatn, one of Iceland’s deepest and most mysterious lakes, nestled among volcanic hills and black sand shores. This scenic viewpoint offers a perfect opportunity for quick photos and a moment to take in the dramatic beauty of the Reykjanes Peninsula. This stop is included for guests who select Reykjavík pickup. Self-driving participants will meet the group directly at the Fagradalsfjall volcano trailhead. (Weather permitted)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
You cannot change the pickup point, as we have a pre-selected meeting location for the pickup option. • Please only use Bus Stop #3 Lækjargata as your pickup point if you book the pickup option.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Age Requirement: Minimum age is 7 years for group tours. Younger children are not allowed.
- Self-Drive Option: Only for travelers with their own rental car for the full tour. No seats in guide’s vehicle if you arrive by taxi, transfer, or shuttle. Without a car, book the pickup option.
- Meeting Point: Self-drive tours meet in Grindavík at 10:45 am (exact location sent after booking). Parking fees not included.
- Post-Hike: Self-drivers may follow the guide to Seltún and Kleifarvatn in their own car or leave independently.
- Fitness Level: Moderate hike on uneven ground. Private tours recommended for slower pace or extra breaks.
- What to Bring: Layered waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, water, snacks, gloves, phone/camera. Walking poles and crampons provided if needed.
- Lava Visibility: Glowing lava only visible during active eruptions—never guaranteed. Tour adapts to any new accessible areas.
- Extra Stops: Seltún and Kleifarvatn only included for tours returning to Reykjavík. Weather permitted.
- Weather Impact: Hiking time and route may change due to weather for safety and comfort.
- Safety Rules: Tour follows official volcanic activity guidance. If access is closed, the route changes to safe alternative volcanic sites.
- Winter Driving: Roads can be icy, snowy, or windy—allow extra travel time when driving to the meeting point.
- By booking this tour, you confirm that you have read and understood the full tour description. While the volcano area is publicly accessible, joining a guided tour is a personal choice made for added safety, local knowledge, and deeper context. In the case of an active eruption, the itinerary may be adjusted to prioritize access to the current eruption site and main viewing areas. Although we may follow the same trail used by others, this remains a fully guided experience.
- Not suitable for children under 7 years old (Please contact us before booking)
Reviews(745)
An absolutely unforgettable experience! Hiking through the dramatic lava fields was already incredible, but Haffi made it truly special with his first-hand experience and fascinating insights into the volcanic activity and its impact on the local community. Definitely one of the highlights of our Iceland trip. Thank you, Haffi, for an amazing tour!
Several local stops to witness evidence of eruption and disruption in town followed by a moderately strenuous three hour hike to magnificent views of the lava flows. No active lava at this time. Our guide Sigrun has expertise in volcanology as well as a locals perspective and stories of recent eruptions. She was personable and authoritative and very helpful. There was even a fun surprise and treat at the peak of the hike.
Fantastic tour! Our tour guide, Deora (hopefully spelling her name right), was super friendly and has a fun personality! She adds a personal touch to the tour as she's lived in Iceland her whole life. The hike itself was beautiful and fun, even though it was raining/foggy, but totally worth it when you experience the lava field at the top. Your guide might even have a special surprise for you while you're up there. Hike was very doable/manageable, though could potentially be challenging for some as the incline is steep at times and a couple rocks could be slippery/loose. We had a great tour group overall and the size of it allowed for our tour guide to be personal with each person. We also got to stop by some extra beautiful sites on the drive back! 10/10 guided tour, would recommend to anyone. Probably one of the best hikes of my life (but also could be because of the people on this tour). I'd love to do this again next time I visit Iceland!
Loved our guide Sigrun who stopped and explained everything. She is really funny. Had surprised us with lunch. I would recommend have her as guide.
A great experience with a great guide
Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour and had such a positive experience with your guide. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel.
One of the highlights of our trip. Guide was amazing. Awesome to see the power of nature. Two teenagers liked it. I’ll say it’s a decent hike up an incline. But well worth it.
It’s always rewarding to hear feedback like this. We're glad your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour was one of the highlights of your trip and that your teenagers enjoyed it as well. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel and for your recommendation.
(Guide Sigrún (not sure)) We recommend this experience! The guide was very kind and took the time to explain things well - little bonus - she let us enjoy a small meal outdoors thanks to the heat of the lava.
Thank you for your kind recommendation. We're delighted you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour and that Sigrún's friendly approach and clear explanations made the experience so enjoyable. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland one day.
Beautiful hike and very informative. It is pretty steep at parts but it is not too long of a hike overall. It is a small group as advertised. There are other stops included. Our guide, Gudni was well informed, made everyone feel included and had great sense of humor. The surprise at the top of the volcano was really special and Gudni took care of every detail. I would recommend encouraging the passengers to bring reusable water bottles. We all are responsible for the environment in such a beautiful island!
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. We're glad you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Gudni and appreciated his knowledge, sense of humor, and the care he showed throughout the day. We also appreciate your suggestion about reusable water bottles and agree that helping protect Iceland's unique environment is important. Thank you for recommending 2Go Iceland Travel.
What an amazing experience! The volcano hike was excellent, I could not fault it. Gudni, our guide, was wonderful; knowledgeable, entertaining and looked after us all. This trip was the highlight of my holiday. Highly recommended.
Reading reviews like yours means a lot to our team. We're so pleased your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Gudni was the highlight of your holiday. His local knowledge and friendly approach are something we're very proud of. Thank you for recommending 2Go Iceland Travel.
Very interesting hike with some surprises (....Oddi said shh !). Oddi was a great guide, friendly, competent and very attentive to safety (five stars).
What a lovely review to receive. We're glad you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Oddi and appreciated his friendly approach, local knowledge, and strong focus on safety throughout the hike. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel and for your five star recommendation.
