Please take a look at the safety information from authorities.
There are different hiking trails and pathways to choose from to the eruption site in 2021 and the new one from August 3rd 2022. Below you can find a map of routes and information about parking in the area.
The paths have challenging terrain with gravel, lava fields, uneven ground, and steep hills.
Path A to the new eruption is about 6-8 km (one way), or about 2-2,5 hours of hiking. The distance depends on where you are able to park your car and how much hiking you do when reaching the eruption site.
Path C by Langihryggur is about 4 km long (one way) to a viewing point of the new eruption. The eruption can only be viewed from a distance as the new lava runs between you and the crater. Walking on the lava is dangerous and not allowed.
Path C by Nátthagi is about 2 km (one way) and is a much shorter and easier hike, from there you can see newly formed lava but not the crater itself. This path only takes you to the edge of the lava field from the parking places.
Path B is more difficult than path A and is around 3.3 km long (one way). It was an additional/alternative route to the eruption site but is rarely used today. It could be used if the wind is blowing the gases over path A.
Before heading to the volcano please look at Safetravel.is for current safety information.
Authorities and members of the ICE-SAR are on site. Don't hesitate to ask them for information when you're there and follow their instructions.
View our interactive 360° aerial panorama of the area here.
Do I need to pay for parking?
Yes, 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 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.
For further questions regarding the parking, please contact fagradalshraun@gmail.com (P1 parking) or gsteins@hi.is (P2 parking).
