Hverfjall Crater in North Iceland

Hverfjall crater, also known as Hverfell, is a dark tuff ring volcano beside Lake Mývatn in North Iceland. A steam-driven eruption formed it about 2,500 years ago, leaving a near-circular crater roughly 1 km (0.6 mi) wide instead of a lava-built cone. Protected as a natural monument since 2011, Hverfjall can only be explored on its marked trails. A short, moderately steep walk leads to the rim, where you can take in the full size of the crater and views of Lake Mývatn beyond the surrounding lava fields. Before you visit, read about walking times, parking, volcanic history, and nearby stops that make Hverfjall easy to include in a trip around the lake.

A tuff ring volcano forms when rising magma meets groundwater, flash-vaporizing the water into steam. The explosions throw tephra, a mixture of ash, rock, and volcanic glass fragments, around the vent, where it builds a low, wide ring. Geologists call this water-driven process a phreatomagmatic eruption.

Hverfjall dates to an explosive eruption about 2,500 years ago. The blast left a broad, saucer-shaped crater rather than the steep cone that flowing lava builds.

A hiking trail leads up to the rim, with views of Lake Mývatn, the surrounding lava fields and other volcanic features. The crater’s symmetrical shape has made Hverfjall one of North Iceland’s best-known landmarks.

The Hverfjall hike has two marked routes to the rim. The shorter route starts at the main parking lot, while the longer trail approaches from Dimmuborgir. Once at the top, both connect to the path around the full crater rim. The most common Hverfjall crater hike combines the shorter climb with the rim loop and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip.

Hverfjall volcano is a protected natural monument, and visitors must stay on the marked trails. Walking elsewhere on the crater is not permitted because its loose tephra slopes are easily damaged.

The north trail is the shortest route up Hverfjall, reaching the rim in about 10 to 25 minutes. Although the volcano’s slopes rise at angles of 20 to 25°, the marked path follows a diagonal 600 m (0.4 mi) course that makes the climb more manageable. Expect enough incline to raise your heart rate, with careful footing needed on the loose volcanic gravel.

Children and hikers of most fitness levels can do the climb. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes give better grip and support on the loose surface. The parking lot is beside the trailhead, reached from Road 848 near Reykjahlíð, northeast of Lake Mývatn.

Parking costs 1,200 ISK ($10 / €9) for cars with up to 8 seats, plus an 89 ISK ($0.73 / €0.65) transaction fee. Restroom access is included in the fee. Check the signs or Parka for the current fees and payment instructions when you arrive. The prices are as of October 2026.

The longer route begins at Dimmuborgir, meaning “Dark Castles,” where steam-shaped lava pillars, arches, and caves rise from the Younger Laxá lava field. The trail winds among these unusual formations toward Hverfjall. As the volcano draws closer, the low vegetation thins out and gives way to bare black tephra.

The Dimmuborgir route meets Hverfjall on its south side, where a steep, diagonal 600 m (0.4 mi) climb reaches the rim in 30 to 45 minutes. It’s the harder of the two ascents. A separate, very easy trail of about 2 km (1.2 mi) starts at the parking lot and heads toward the Dimmuborgir path, taking 20 to 30 minutes.

The full Hverfjall rim loop covers about 3.2 km (2 mi) and takes roughly 1 hour. From the top of the north ascent, walking south to the crater’s highest point takes about 15 to 20 minutes. From the path, you can look down into the dark crater bowl and toward Lake Mývatn and the surrounding mountains. A low, cone-shaped mound rises 37 m (121 ft) from the crater floor.

The rim is completely exposed, so winds can be strong even when conditions feel calm at the parking lot. Wear a windproof jacket, secure loose items, and allow extra time when conditions slow your pace.

For easier conditions, the best time to visit Hverfjall is during summer or early fall, although hiking in this part of Iceland is possible year-round. Wear warm, windproof layers for the exposed crater rim.

Hverfjall in winter has snow-covered slopes that contrast with the dark ground, but snow and ice make the path more challenging. Shorter daylight leaves less time for the hike, while longer nights provide more opportunities to see the Northern Lights.

Pack these essentials:

• Hiking boots with good grip
• Warm, windproof layers
• Traction aids for icy conditions
• Trekking poles for extra stability

Hverfjall is east of Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, about 6 hours by car from Reykjavík. Follow Route 1 for most of the journey, then turn onto Road 848 and follow the signs to the Hverfjall parking lot. Reaching Hverfjall from Akureyri, North Iceland’s largest town, takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Domestic flights from Reykjavík to Akureyri take about 45 minutes. The drive to Hverfjall from Akureyri Airport takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Most visitors include the crater in a longer North Iceland or Ring Road trip rather than visiting it on a day trip from the capital.

Attractions near Hverfjall include some of North Iceland’s most distinctive volcanic and geothermal sites, from lava caves to steaming fields and lakeside pseudocraters. Most are close enough to combine in one day, making them popular things to do around Lake Mývatn.

• Lake Mývatn: Only a few minutes west of Hverfjall, the shallow volcanic lake is visible from the rim. Wetlands, lava formations, and pseudocraters surround its shores.
• Dimmuborgir: Lava pillars, caves, and arches fill the area, which also serves as the starting point for the longer trail to Hverfjall.
• Grjótagjá: The small lava cave contains a geothermal spring and is only a short drive north of Hverfjall. Bathing isn’t permitted.
• Earth Lagoon Mývatn: A geothermal lagoon for bathing with views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. Formerly known as Mývatn Nature Baths.
• Hverir: A geothermal field east of Lake Mývatn with steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and ochre-colored ground.
• Skútustaðagígar: These pseudocraters line the lake’s southern shore. They formed when hot lava passed over wetlands and triggered steam explosions.
• Goðafoss: The wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall is about a 50-minute drive west of Hverfjall via Route 1.

Grjótagjá cave near Hverfjall inspired the cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte meet in Game of Thrones. Filming restrictions moved the scene to a studio set, where the production team recreated the cave and added a waterfall for extra romance. The series also used other locations around Lake Mývatn, including Dimmuborgir as Mance Rayder’s wildling camp in Season 3. Hverfjall’s connection comes from its proximity to these sites rather than filming at the crater itself.