Námafjall Geothermal Ridge

Námafjall is a mountain ridge and high-temperature geothermal area on the east side of Lake Mývatn. The Hverir field at its base is one of Iceland's most impressive geothermal displays, with boiling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and vivid yellow sulfur deposits creating a landscape that looks more like Mars than Earth. The area is free to visit but visitors must stay on marked paths as the ground can be scalding.

Story

Námafjall is a pale yellow-orange ridge of hydrothermally altered rhyolite east of Lake Mývatn, at the edge of the active Krafla volcanic system. The entire ridge is coloured by sulphur and iron compounds deposited by geothermal fluids percolating through the rock. On the flanks and at the base of Námafjall lies the Hverir geothermal area — the most easily accessible concentration of mud pots, fumaroles and sulphur deposits in Iceland. The ground here literally shakes with geothermal activity. The name 'Námafjall' means 'Sulphur Mine Mountain' — sulphur was extracted here commercially for centuries and exported to Europe. The vivid yellow-orange-red colour palette on the ridge is especially striking on overcast days when the colours glow against grey sky.

Did You Know?

• High-temperature geothermal field at 711 meters elevation
• Also known as Hverir or Hverarönd
• Boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and sulfur deposits create an alien landscape
• The mountain itself can be climbed for views (trail from parking area)
• Strong sulfur smell — stay on marked paths, ground is dangerously hot

Location