Reykjanes & Fagradalsfjall Hike

Tour Details

Duration:

10H

Season:

All year

Max People:

Difficulty:

Moderate

Highlights

Private 10-hour Reykjanes Peninsula tour
7km Fagradalsfjall hike with 300m elevation
Kleifarvatn volcanic lake
Seltún geothermal area
Gunnuhver hot springs
Stampar volcanic craters
Minimum age 8 years
Customizable with a finish at the Sky Lagoon

Gallery

Reykjanes Peninsula volcanic landscape with geothermal steam

Fresh lava formations on the Fagradalsfjall hiking trail

Dramatic coastal scenery on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Hikers approaching the Fagradalsfjall eruption crater

Geothermal activity and mineral deposits on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Volcanic rock textures along the Fagradalsfjall trail

Stampar volcanic craters on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Panoramic view from the Fagradalsfjall crater viewpoint

Kleifarvatn lake surrounded by volcanic mountains

Hikers on the ridge overlooking Fagradalsfjall lava fields

Seltún geothermal area with vibrant mineral colours

Close-up of volcanic rock formations at Fagradalsfjall

Gunnuhver steam columns rising against the sky

Reykjanes coastline with volcanic cliffs and Atlantic waves

Reykjanes and Fagradalsfjall: Sightseeing Meets Volcano Hiking

This tour combines two experiences into one full day: a private sightseeing tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula’s volcanic and geothermal highlights, plus a 3-hour guided hike to the crater of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption. You get both the accessible wonders — Kleifarvatn, Seltún, Gunnuhver, Stampar — and the physical challenge of walking through fresh lava to a crater viewpoint at 300 metres elevation.

The Reykjanes Peninsula has been in the global spotlight since 2021, when a series of eruptions reminded the world that this corner of Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The landscape here is raw and young: lava fields just a few years old sit beside geothermal areas that have been steaming for centuries, and volcanic craters that tell a story spanning millennia.

Volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula landscape with geothermal steam and lava fields

A Flexible Day on the Peninsula

The order of stops adjusts based on weather, trail conditions, and your preferences. Your guide knows the peninsula thoroughly and will sequence the day for the best experience — sometimes starting with the hike in the morning light, sometimes saving it for the afternoon.

This tour can be customized to finish at the Sky Lagoon — an oceanside geothermal pool near Reykjavík — for a relaxing soak after the day’s hiking and exploration. Sky Lagoon entrance tickets must be booked separately.

If you prefer just the peninsula sightseeing without the hike, our Colors of Reykjanes tour covers the geothermal and volcanic highlights in a shorter day. If you want just the volcano hike without the sightseeing stops, our standalone Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike is a focused 3-hour option. For an aerial perspective of the volcanic landscape, consider a helicopter tour over the eruption sites.

For the full volcanic backstory, read our ultimate Reykjanes guide and our guide on how to see lava in Iceland.

Hikers on the Fagradalsfjall trail overlooking the 2021 eruption lava fields

Important Information

The hike portion operates year-round but can be cancelled depending on weather conditions or volcanic activity in the area. If the hike is cancelled, the tour converts to a full Reykjanes Peninsula sightseeing day. Your guide monitors conditions and communicates any changes in advance.

Minimum age: 8 years. The hike covers 7km of uneven volcanic terrain with 300m elevation gain over approximately 3 hours. Sturdy hiking boots are required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Fagradalsfjall hike on this tour? The hike is moderate: 7km round trip with 300m elevation gain over uneven volcanic rock. Minimum age is 8 years. The rest of the tour involves easy walking at geothermal sites and craters.

Can we skip the hike and just do the Reykjanes sightseeing? Yes. Our Colors of Reykjanes tour covers the peninsula’s highlights without the hike. This combo tour is specifically designed for visitors who want both sightseeing and the volcano hike in one day.

Can we finish the tour at the Sky Lagoon? Yes. The tour can be customized to end at the Sky Lagoon for a relaxing soak after the hike. Sky Lagoon entrance tickets must be booked separately.

What should I bring for the hike? Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, layered clothing, waterproof jacket, water, and snacks. Hiking poles are recommended but not required. The weather on the Reykjanes Peninsula can change quickly.

What You'll Visit

Kleifarvatn Lake

Kleifarvatn volcanic lake with dark sand shores and mountain reflections on the Reykjanes Peninsula

The tour begins with a stop at Kleifarvatn, one of Iceland's deepest and most enigmatic lakes. Surrounded by dark lava fields and barren mountains, the lake sits in a volcanic fissure zone and has no visible inflow or outflow — its water level fluctuates with seismic activity beneath the surface.

The dark sand shores and still, deep waters create an atmosphere unlike any other Icelandic lake. On calm days the surrounding peaks reflect perfectly in the surface. Your guide explains the geological forces that formed this unusual body of water and its connection to the Reykjanes volcanic system.

Seltún Geothermal Area

Walk through this geothermal field where colorful mineral deposits paint the earth in vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and red. The bubbling mud pots and steaming vents create a landscape that showcases Iceland's volcanic power.

This area is part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and represents one of the most accessible geothermal sites in Iceland. Boardwalks guide you through the most active zones where sulfur crystals form intricate patterns and the ground itself hisses with escaping steam.

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike

Hikers on the Fagradalsfjall volcano trail with fresh lava fields and crater viewpoint

The centrepiece of the day: a 3-hour guided hike to the viewpoint overlooking the main crater of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption. The 7km round-trip trail crosses solidified lava flows — terrain that didn't exist before March 2021 — with 300 metres of elevation gain.

Your guide leads you through twisted rope lava, collapsed tubes, and sharp-edged volcanic rock, explaining how the eruption unfolded over six months and how this event marked the beginning of a new volcanic era on the Reykjanes Peninsula. At the viewpoint, the crater itself is a raw, steep-walled bowl with panoramic views extending to Keilir mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.

Gunnuhver Hot Springs

Experience one of Iceland's most powerful geothermal areas, where steam rises from the earth in towering columns that can reach 20 metres or more. Named after Gunna, a ghost from Icelandic folklore who was allegedly banished to this spot by a priest, Gunnuhver demonstrates the raw power lurking beneath the peninsula's surface.

Standing at the viewing platform, you feel the heat rising from below and witness the forces that heat Iceland's homes — making this both a natural wonder and a testament to sustainable energy.

Stampar Volcanic Craters

Explore these perfectly preserved volcanic craters that offer insight into Iceland's geological history. The formations tell the story of past eruptions and the forces that shaped this peninsula over thousands of years — from gentle lava flows to explosive events that scattered volcanic bombs across the terrain.

Walking among these geological monuments feels like travelling through time, with each crater representing a different chapter in the Reykjanes volcanic story.