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Hike to the recently formed lava field to the Litli-Hrútur volcano eruption site. Feel the power of seismic energy that makes the fresh hot lava burst onto the months-old lava field. The volcanic eruption began on the 10th of July, 2023, after a series of earthquakes. The outbreak occurred for the third time in the same area. The last breakout diminished in 2022. After the day hiking to and from the newly erupted volcano, we'll relax and take a swim in the calming baby blue waters of Blue Lagoon.
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The tour starts with a pick-up routine. You will be picked up from your chosen Reykjavik location. When everyone gets on board, your driver guide will take you to the first destination of the day.
Lake Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is the biggest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its seismic activity. The lake, surrounded by mountains, is decorated with black beaches and interesting rock formations formed by weather conditions for centuries. Kleifarvatn has been affected by the seismic activity and moving tectonic plates itself - underwater hot springs with bubbling hot water are common here.
(This stop is not currently guaranteed on each tour. If the volcano hike takes longer than expected, we may skip this stop.)
Litli-Hrútur Volcano
Litli-Hrútur Volcano is the place of a current volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula. A bursting volcano alone is a spectacular view itself, but the beautiful scenery of the Icelandic backcountry will surely add to your experience. A hike to the volcano site will surely serve you with some breathtaking views and a number of interesting places encountered along the way.
Grindavik Fishing village
Grindavik is the nearest village to where the eruption is happening. It is situated in the southern part of the peninsula, and you can see the beautiful lava fields meeting the ocean while driving through. Grindavik is more than a picturesque village - it is one of the main fishing harbors in the country. With a population of 3,300 people, it relies upon fishing-related activities for its livelihood.
Blue Lagoon
All this day of adventurous activities and the thrill of seeing the recently erupted volcano will leave you in need of relaxation. The geothermal blue waters of Blue Lagoon are perfect for that. Put on your silica mask, grab a drink (included), and soak in the calming waters.
On our way back to Reykjavik, we’ll drive through the charming village of Hafnarfjörðu, known for silly folk stories about Elves and Vikings.
Scientists and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management are always monitoring the area closely and informing the public if there are any updates. The safety of our passengers is our number one priority; therefore, we will follow the instructions coming from the authorities.
Also, we recommend visitors to the volcano follow these steps in the area:
There are no restrooms at the area just nature 😊 We do recommend that people use the restrooms in Grindavík where we stop for lunch before we start the hike.
You can bring it with you, but we do also stop for lunch in Grindavík where you can buy snacks as well for the hike. Please note though that food is not included in the tour.
The best and safest way to visit a volcano is with a guided tour. Expert guides will be able to lead you to the eruption site, choosing the most secure paths and the optimal distance to observe the newly formed lava fields so you can get the best, safest, and most enjoyable experience. You can choose to book the hike to the eruption site or book a helicopter tour and see the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula from above!
Make sure that you are prepared before heading out to the volcano. We recommend wearing hiking clothes and packing a backpack with:
Yes. Due to safety concerns, the status of access to the eruption can change. The newest eruption site, which is along the route from Suðurstrandarvegur, is a unique chance to see nature's power up close. With proper preparation and precautions, a rather challenging 20km round trip can be rewarding. However, we advise to check regularly the Safe Travel page for any safety updates. So, while you can visit, it's best to stay prepared and flexible with your plans.
It is not obligatory to be accompanied by a professional guide to visit the site. However, taking a guided tour is safer than visiting the eruption site as fellow travelers will accompany you, and a local professional guide will ensure your safety.
According to the Environmental Agency of Iceland, walking on the lava is forbidden and can be very dangerous. The top layer can easily break when stepped on, causing hazards to people. The lava at Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a unique geological monument that we must respect and protect. It is important for visitors to leave no traces such as throwing stones at the lava or making inscriptions on it. Lavas are under special protection according to art. 61 of the Nature Conservation Act. One of the biggest risks of walking on new lava is breaking the top layer over an unknown lava tube. Falling into a lava tube that's still several hundred degrees Celcius can lead to injuries.
A new eruption started on the 10th of July 2023 in Mt. Litla-Hrút, a year after the last eruption at Meradalir ended on August 21st, 2022.
Yes, if you are not joining a guided tour and driving to the eruption site on your own, the parking fee is 1000 ISK (≈ 8 USD) and can be paid electronically at Parka.is. The payment is valid for 24 hours. There are signs at the parking lots with instructions.
There are currently two parking lots that you can choose from, Parking P1 or Parking P2. You will need to pick the correct payment site accordingly:
Parking P1: https://www.parka.is/pay/geldingadalir/
Parking P2 (Stóri-Leirdalur): https://www.parka.is/pay/volcanoskali/
According to a parka.is, the payment is necessary to pay for the infrastructure on-site and maintenance of it. The intention is to make access better and increase people's safety. The parking lots are monitored with cameras and if parking is unpaid, an additional fee is added and a bank claim is created. The claim usually goes out one day later, so if you have trouble paying on-site, you are able to finish the payment when you arrive back at your hotel.
