Is it safe to visit volcanic sites in Iceland?

Most volcanic sites are safe when you stay on marked trails. Always check SafeTravel.is for current volcanic activity alerts.

Do I need a guide to visit this site?

Many volcanic sites can be visited independently, but guided tours offer valuable geological insight and enhanced safety.

Can I visit in winter?

Access depends on the specific site and road conditions. Check road.is for current conditions before your visit.

Iceland/north-iceland

Hverfjall Tephra Ring

Nearly perfect circular tephra crater near Mývatn

At a Glance

Visit time

1–1.5 hours

Best season

May–October for best trail conditions

Access

Off Route 848 near Dimmuborgir, east side of Mývatn. Two trailheads — south side is steeper but shorter.

GPS

65.6036, -16.8588

Plan Trip Navigate

About

About Hverfjall Tephra Ring

Nearly perfect circular tephra crater near Mývatn

Walk the 1km rim for panoramic views of North Iceland

Photos

Photo Gallery

Background

History & Background

Hverfjall Crater has been a significant site in Iceland's landscape. Throughout the years, this location has played an important role in Icelandic culture and natural history.

Hverfjall (also spelled Hverfell) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Mývatn area — a massive, nearly perfect circle of a tephra crater rising 140 meters above the surrounding landscape. The crater is about 1 km in diameter and was formed by a volcanic explosion approximately 2,500 years ago. A trail leads to the rim, where visitors can walk around the entire circumference with sweeping views of Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, and the Krafla volcanic system.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Hverfjall is one of the most dramatic and perfectly formed volcanic features in Iceland — a tephra ring crater 1 kilometre in diameter and 140 metres deep, formed in a single violent phreatomagmatic explosion about 2,500 years ago when magma encountered groundwater. The crater is dark grey and eerily uniform: the tephra (fragmented volcanic rock) has not yet had time to develop the thick vegetation cover that softens older Icelandic volcanic features. A 45-minute circular trail around the rim rewards with spectacular 360° views encompassing Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Krafla, Hverir and the entire volcanic landscape of North Iceland. Hiking down into the crater itself is prohibited to protect the fragile tephra surface.

💡 Did You Know?

Formed in a massive explosion about 2,500 years ago

Local Legend

The Troll of Hverfjall Crater

An ancient tale speaks of a troll who once roamed Hverfjall Crater. The troll was caught by the rising sun while traveling home and turned to stone, becoming part of the landscape. Local people say you can still see the troll's silhouette in the mountain formation, forever frozen as a reminder to respect the power of daylight.

Culture

Stories & Legends

Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area

icelandic saga

Reykjahlíð

Reykjahlíð is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Ljósvetninga saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.