A Journey Through Reykjanes' Volcanic Wonders

It would be a long-lasting event: the eruption didn’t subside until September 2021 giving travellers plenty of time to arrange a trip. For those disappointed to have missed the action, Mount Fagradalsfjall obliged with a follow-up eruption in August 2022. There was another equally short-lived event in 2023 to the north east of the original site, which you may have seen referred to as the Litli-Hrútur eruption.

The Reykjanes volcanic system is connected to the Svartsengi system which becomes active at the same time even though the two are separated by a row of lava shields. Both are characterised by fault lines and fissures that are oriented from north west to south east. Though Mount Fagradalsfjall has gone quiet, there have been numerous eruptions since then at Sundhnúkur in the Svartsengi volcanic system.

The nature of these Sundhnúkur eruptions has been a little different, however. The location of the lava flows has been much harder to predict with new fissures opening up during the course of what’s sometimes been brief bursts of activity. As a consequence, public access has been much more limited and often prohibited altogether. However, once these eruptions subside, the possibilities increase for visitors keen to see how the landscape has been reshaped.

Occasionally it has been necessary to evacuate the Blue Lagoon; in Grindavik volcanic activity has also sometimes been problematic. For instance during at least one episode, cracks opened up under some of the buildings and roads in this small town with immediate consequences for the local economy and mandatory evacuations for residents.

While volcanoes rightly make the headlines while they are spewing lava, ash or other material, learning about their lasting impacts can be equally compelling. That’s definitely the case with the Reykjanes volcano and its effect on the once thriving fishing port of Grindavik. It’s a clear reminder that what’s fascinating for curious travellers is often heartbreaking and disruptive for those who live with the risk of such hazards.

As the eruptions continue, they’ve tended to occur further away from built up areas, and it’s now possible to venture back on guided tours to see what impact the Grindavik volcanic activity has had. On our tour, you’ll be shown the barriers and berms that were constructed to protect the place from the steadily encroaching lava and learn how residents’ lives were – and in many cases still are – impacted.

During this tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to stop by the Seltún Geothermal Area within Krýsuvík, whose boiling mud pools and steaming fumaroles are a striking sight. You’ll follow a wooden boardwalk through this incredible landscape, admiring the colourful mineral deposits and marvelling at what nature can achieve.

Of course, you can’t come to this part of Reykjanes and not see Mount Fagradalsfjall, where you’ll hike beside the newly-created lava fields to an extraordinary viewpoint. The surface of the molten rock has cooled to form a blackened crust, but don’t be fooled: beneath, the lava is still warm in places.

In all the route measures a little under 6km each way; though there’s some increase in elevation, if you’re in reasonable shape you should be able to tackle this memorable hike. Note that we also offer a Volcanic Shuttle to erupting Volcano tour which transports you up to three viewpoints by super jeep – no hiking required. It’s just one of our wide selection of volcano tours that help you make sense of the Reykjanes terrain.

There’s a lot to take in, but joining us for this tour gives you a clear understanding of how volcanic activity can have long-lasting consequences, both for the physical landscape and also for those who live and work nearby. As we treat ourselves to a meal of fish and chips at the end of this enthralling Iceland volcano tour, there’s certain to be a lot to talk about.

By analysing the information in this way, Icelandic authorities have been able to achieve an in-depth understanding of the processes taking place and the most likely potential effects of each new phase of the eruption. Warnings are updated as conditions change, so it’s clear at any point in time where it’s permissible to be so long as you remain up to date with the latest guidance. Arranging to visit this area of Reykjanes as part of a tour means that we’ll take care of this for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we would never run visits contrary to official advice, which means you can be confident that your safety is our priority. We actively keep abreast of the situation regarding current and predicted volcanic activity, which has changed many times over the last few years. That said, as with any tour, there’s an element of risk involved and at the end of the day, it is your decision and you need to be personally comfortable with it.

The appeal of Reykjanes Geopark doesn’t begin and end with Mount Fagradalsfjall and the Sundhnúkur crater row and fissures. This exciting region of Iceland has much more to offer those with an interest in geology and geothermal activity, not least through combining your Volcanic Wonders with Grindavik Visit tour with a soak in a luxurious baths such as Blue Lagoon or, closer to the centre of Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon.

But there’s more: that Mid-Atlantic Ridge we mentioned running diagonally across part of Iceland? It’s easily accessible in Reykjanes. Visitors can make a stop at the Bridge between Continents, a metal structure that spans a rift that you might initially confuse with a dried-up river bed. In fact, it’s tangible proof that the North American and Eurasian plate boundaries are slowly creeping apart – and an unmissable opportunity to stand with each foot in a different continent. It’s worth noting that cracks have recently opened up in the area[J4] and these are being closely monitored.

In the far south west of the peninsula you might also take a look at Gunnuhver Hot Springs, which boasts the largest hot spring in the country measuring an impressive 20 metres across. Other Reykjanes peninsula attractions include Keilir, a cone-shaped hill that was originally created during a volcanic eruption beneath a glacier. Meanwhile, two rows of craters make Stampar an intriguing place to hike; one row dates from around 1800-2000 years ago while the other was formed during the Reykjanes Fires in the 13th century.

In addition, a little further east than Reykjanes and about forty minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, you can venture into a lava tube. The Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel tour is an irresistible chance to set foot inside the hollowed out tube that remains once the magma has drained out of a volcanic system. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll walk about 350 metres into this 1360 metre long tunnel and admire its stunning geology. The location of this lava tunnel means that it’s easy to combine a tour with sightseeing in Reykjanes.

If you’re keen to take a volcanic journey through Reykjanes and see for yourself how the Mount Fagradalsfjall and Sundhnúkur eruptions have transformed this landscape, then why not book a place on our Volcanic Wonders with Grindavik Visit tour?