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(763)
We booked an excurion during our cruise with Christina as our tour guide. She was an excellent guide. Well informed, timely, professional and attentive to guests needs and wants. The timelines worked out well and nobody felt rushed. The weather was a little colder and rainier than previous days, but manageable. We would highly recommend Christina to others as their guide.
Super nice hike! The guide gave lots of information about the history of the volcano eruptions. She was super nice and answered any and all questions! Would definitely reccomend to others when they visit iceland. Takk Fyrir!
I had the opportunity to take the small group tour with my friends with Oddi as our guide. I waited some time to post a review to complete the trip and I can honestly say that this tour was the highlight of our time in Iceland. We drove from Reykjavik to meet the others and the tour took most of the afternoon. I think it was reasonably priced for the length of time taken and the fact that we traversed a decent length of the lava fields at a comfortable pace. Customer service was also helpful as we were able to change our ticket from bus pick-up to self-drive when we realized our airbnb was in the opposite direction. More so though, Oddi’s extensive knowledge of the area and previous close encounters with the active volcano made the tour informational, engaging, and exciting. There were also thoughtful additions of sharing Icelandic culture throughout the tour, including some history of and respect for the elves, learning some Icelandic phrases, and a few special snacks on the hike. Oddi as our guide and this tour of being on the lava fields left us feeling an incredible wonder after being on some of the newest land on Earth. Will definitely recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Iceland! Takk fyrir! -the girls from PA, USA
Gudni was amazing, from the very start he was warm and knowledgeable. Such a caring guide who took the time to talk to each and every one of us in our family as well as managing to the larger group to integrate. If you want to really experience how hot and dynamic the earth is and hear first hand about how this landscape is changing year by year, book this tour. Gudni answered all our questions about Norse mythology and shared so much knowledge. The highlight of our trip!
Arni was the best tour guide I've ever had and we will always be so grateful for the information he shared and his genuine love for iceland and its history. He kept everyone safe and i truly felt if there was an emergency at the volcano we would've been in good hands. When i return i hope to take his tour again
This was a great experience. Dora was a sensational and knowledgeable guide. The volcano surprise was sensational.
Dora is an amazing guide! She was very knowledgeable and answered all my tour related questions and silly questions about Icelandic culture. She was also very good at ensuring all members of the group at various hiking levels were comfortable. Had an amazing, memorable experience. Highly recommend!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Dóra. It's great to hear her knowledge, friendly approach, and care for every member of the group helped make the day so memorable. Thank you for recommending 2Go Iceland Travel.
Guide was good, with interesting g stories and the lava field is very interesting, but the walk was shorter than expected (5km, not 8)
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour and found the guide and the lava fields interesting. The hike is approximately up to 8 km in total, although GPS apps can sometimes record shorter distances depending on where tracking starts and ends. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel.
The hike is not very difficult but takes you to very impressive viewpoints over a recent lava fields. Combined with the nice explanations, and photos/videos of the active eruption shown by our local guide Haffi, this was a very enjoyable and informational experience.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're glad you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Haffi and that his local knowledge, along with the photos and videos, helped bring the recent eruptions to life. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel.
Haffi was amazing. Great experience!!!
Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed your Fagradalsfjall volcano tour with Haffi. We'll be sure to share your lovely feedback with him. Thank you for choosing 2Go Iceland Travel.
