Reykjanes Volcano Eruption Site Hike & Peninsula Day Trip from Reykjavik
- Duration9 hours
- Daily
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- Pickup available
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Overview
Reykjanes is where Iceland's newest volcanic landscapes are being made. This guided day trip from Reykjavik combines a hike toward a recent eruption area on the Reykjanes Peninsula with the peninsula's classic sights: Lake Kleifarvatn, the Seltún geothermal area, Gunnuhver hot springs, Reykjanes Lighthouse and the Bridge Between Continents. The hike takes roughly two hours each way and is moderate to hard, and the guide always chooses the safest viewing point on the day. Choose pickup and drop-off or meet in Reykjavik.
Highlights
- Hike toward a recent volcanic eruption area with a guide who chooses the safest route
- See Lake Kleifarvatn and the colourful Seltún geothermal area
- Watch steam and mud pots at the Gunnuhver hot springs
- Photo stop at Reykjanes Lighthouse and its sea cliffs
- Walk across the Bridge Between Continents over the rift of the tectonic plates
- Pickup and drop-off in central Reykjavik with the default option
Full Description
The Reykjanes eruption area and the hike
The Reykjanes Peninsula woke up after around eight hundred years of quiet, with eruptions in the Fagradalsfjall area from 2021 and further eruptions in the following years. New lava fields now cover valleys such as Geldingadalir and Meradalir, and the ground can stay warm long after an eruption ends. This is what makes a Reykjanes volcano hike so striking: you walk across black lava where the land was very different a few years ago.
The walk to the viewpoint takes about two hours each way and is moderate to hard, with uneven ground and changeable weather. Volcanic activity and safety decisions by the authorities can change access at short notice, so the guide chooses the safest viewing point on the day and may adjust the route. Bring hiking shoes, water and a packed lunch.
Lake Kleifarvatn and Seltún geothermal area
The drive from Reykjavik crosses the peninsula to Lake Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on Reykjanes, framed by mountains and black sand beaches. Underwater hot springs feed it, and folklore speaks of a monster living in the depths, which adds atmosphere to the stop.
Nearby, the Seltún geothermal area at Krýsuvík has bubbling mud pots and steaming vents with coloured ground in yellow, red and green. Boardwalks lead through the area so you can see the geothermal activity safely. The stop is short, and the guide explains why this part of Iceland is so active.
Gunnuhver hot springs and Reykjanes Lighthouse
Gunnuhver is one of Iceland's most powerful mud-pool areas, with large steam vents and boiling mud, named after a ghost in local folklore. A path leads around the area, and the smell of sulphur and the hiss of steam make it memorable. Stay on the path, since the ground is very hot.
Close by, Reykjanes Lighthouse is Iceland's oldest, first lit in 1878, and the present building dates from the early twentieth century. The cliffs and sea stacks nearby, formed by the Atlantic, make a dramatic photo stop, and on clear days you can see out to the small island of Eldey, which hosts a large gannet colony.
The Bridge Between Continents
The tour ends at the Bridge Between Continents, a small footbridge of about fifteen metres over a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart. Walking across it is a fun way to step from one plate to the other, and it is a popular photograph.
The peninsula sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which explains the volcanoes, hot springs and fissures you see. If you are asking where to see the tectonic plates in Iceland, this is the easiest place near Reykjavik, and Þingvellir is another. After the bridge the coach returns to Reykjavik.
Itinerary
- Pickup in Reykjavik or meeting pointDepending on the option, pickup from selected locations in central Reykjavik or meeting at the meeting point.
- Lake KleifarvatnA photo stop at the black sand beach of the peninsula's largest lake, about ten minutes.
- Seltún geothermal areaA walk of about fifteen minutes among mud pots and steam.
- Hike to the volcanic eruption areaRoughly two hours each way, with the guide choosing the safest viewing point; about three and a half hours in total.
- Gunnuhver hot springs and Reykjanes LighthousePhoto stops at the steaming mud pools and the oldest lighthouse in Iceland.
- Bridge Between Continents and returnA short walk across the bridge before about seventy minutes back to Reykjavik.
What's included
- Tour guide (English)
- Guided hike to the volcanic eruption area
- Reykjanes Peninsula sights
- Headlamp if required
- Wi-Fi on board
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- Walking is difficult for you — expect active parts
Not suitable for
- Children under 12 years
- People with mobility impairments
- Guests who cannot walk several hours on uneven volcanic ground
Meeting point
Depending on the option, we collect you from a selected location in central Reykjavik or you meet at the meeting point shown on your confirmation. Pickup covers selected hotels and official bus stops. Please be ready fifteen minutes early.
Important information
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes and layers suitable for changeable weather; jeans are not recommended
- Bring water, rain gear and a packed lunch, since food and drinks are not included
- The hike is around two hours each way and is moderate to hard; it is not easy but is doable for people of reasonable fitness
- Volcanic activity and safety decisions can change the route and viewpoint at short notice
- A headlamp is provided if needed
- Some central Reykjavik areas are closed to buses, so you may be sent to a nearby pickup stop
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Reykjanes volcano hike tour cost?
The price depends on the option (pickup or meeting point) and on the number of adults and youths. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. The default option includes pickup and drop-off from selected locations in central Reykjavik; the other meets at a meeting point in Reykjavik.
How long is the tour?
About nine hours in total, including roughly two hours of hiking each way, the sightseeing stops and the drive.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Youths aged 12 to 15 can join if they are fit for a long hike. Children under 12 cannot take part.
What should I wear or bring?
Sturdy hiking shoes, warm and waterproof clothing, water and a packed lunch. Jeans are not recommended.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often, if places remain. The booking panel shows the next available dates.
What is the difference between the options?
One option meets you in Reykjavik, and the other includes pickup and drop-off from selected locations. The tour is the same.
Is the volcano hike always possible?
Not always. Access to eruption areas can change because of volcanic activity, weather and official safety decisions, and the guide adjusts the plan to keep you safe.
How hard is the hike?
It is moderate to hard: around two hours each way on uneven volcanic ground. Reasonable fitness is needed.
Where is the Bridge Between Continents?
It is near Sandvík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, and this tour includes it as the last stop.
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