Natural Wonders of Iceland

Karlinn is a 50–60 metre sea stack and eroded volcanic plug standing just offshore from Valahnúkur at Reykjanestá.

Perfectly conical volcanic mountain

Kleifarvatn: a vast, mysterious lake cradled by Reykjanes' dramatic volcanic landscapes.

The exposed southwestern tip of Reykjanes, where eroded volcanic cliffs, boulder beaches, Atlantic surf and views toward Eldey create one of the peninsula's wildest coastal landscapes.

Sogin reveals Reykjanes' vibrant geothermal heart with colorful altered earth, steaming vents, and ancient craters.

A symbolic footbridge at Sandvík spans a tectonic fissure in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark between the North American and Eurasian plate systems.

Hrafnagjá is a 12 km-long fault and tension fracture east of Vogar, forming part of a classic rift-valley landscape on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Hvassahraunskatlar are unusual hornito-like lava formations in the flow from Hrútagjárdyngja, around 10 km from the shield's main crater.

„Háibjalli er afar fallegur trjálundur í skjóli kletta, ofan Reykjanesbrautar í aðeins 20 mín göngufjarlægð frá Vogum. Frá Háabjalla er útsýni yfir Snorrastaðatjarnir og þaðan er hægt að ganga eftir Hrafnagjá sem er gróðurmikil sprungugjá“ (1). Háibjalli er um 20 metra hár hamar sem er hluti af einni af fjölmörgum misgengissprungum á þessu svæði. Skógrækt hófst þar árið 1949, en svæðið er í eigu Skógræktar- og landgræðslufélagsins Skógfells. Í dag eru þar há og skjólmikil tré, kjörið útivistarsvæði fyrir börn og fullorðna (2).

Dramatic tectonic fissure at Þingvellir filled with crystal-clear glacial water, a profound geological marvel.

Mapped waterfront point in Reykjavík.

Mountain range visible from Reykjavík

Peaceful trout lake in the Heiðmörk nature reserve — Reykjavík's favourite wilderness escape.

Reykjavík's wild back yard — a 3,200-hectare nature reserve with recovering birch forest, lava fields and 50km of trails.

Reykjavík recreation valley with geothermal swimming, gardens and sports facilities.

River running through the rural Kjós area north of Reykjavík.

Cluster of red volcanic pseudocraters in Reykjavík — rare geological features within city limits.

Kópavogur's Álfhóll, or Elf Hill, is a protected grassy mound revered as a home for hidden folk.

Forested hill — walking trails through planted woods from Perlan to Nauthólsvík beach.

Kaldárhraun is a moss-covered lava field near Hafnarfjörður, known for dramatic fissures and volcanic landscapes.

Explore a surreal landscape of ancient lava cities and pseudocraters, a testament to Iceland's fiery past.

Tröllabörnin eru hraundrýli, tíu talsins sem tilheyra Leitarhrauni (1). „Tröllabörn voru friðlýst sem náttúruvætti árið 1983. Náttúruvættið einkennist af sérkennilegum hraundrýlum (hornító) sem hafa verið notuð sem fjárskýli og jafnvel sem sæluhús. Þegar gosgufurnar koma úr útstreymisopum hraunsins brenna þær við hátt hitastig þegar þær sameinast súrefni loftsins. Þá hlaðast upp litlar en brattar strýtur úr kleprum sem gosgufurnar rífa með sér. Strýtur sem þessar, eða hraundrýli, eru einkum algengar á hraundyngjum. Stærð náttúruvættisins er 4,7 ha“ (2).

Protected isolated tuff formation with historic built shelters beneath Eyjafjöll.

Guided ice-cave experience in Kötlujökull, where glacier formations change continuously.

Protected columnar-basalt formation east of Foss á Síðu.

221-metre historic headland on Mýrdalssandur with Gígjagjá, the cave commonly nicknamed Yoda Cave.

Coastal lagoon and wetland with varied birdlife and difficult marshy access.

Witness the awe-inspiring Katla, a powerful subglacial volcano shrouded in ancient legend, dominating Iceland's dramatic landscape.

Exposed tops of basalt columns near Kirkjubæjarklaustur that resemble a tiled church floor.

Towering cliff rising abruptly above Skeiðarársandur beside Route 1.

Steep Southeast Iceland canyon with a hiking route to viewpoints over waterfalls and glacial landscapes.

Upland hiking area above Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park.

A narrow gorge in the Þórsmörk area, where towering mossy walls lead toward a concealed waterfall.

Narrow Markarfljót gorge associated with the folk tale of Torfi's legendary leap.

Lake south of Þingvallavatn in Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur.

A remote mountain hut and campsite in Skaftárhrepp, a base for exploring Iceland's raw interior.

Local outdoor and recreation area at Oddgeirshólar with a long community history.

Moss-covered lava from the 1783–1784 Skaftáreldar eruption near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

The famous elephant-shaped coastal rock formation on Heimaey, best recognised from the sea along the island's western cliffs.

Dramatic basalt cliffs cradle a serene lake, opening to vast marshlands in East Iceland.

A captivating resort village in West Iceland, Húsafell is a gateway to glaciers, lava fields, and the Northern Lights.

„Geitland var friðlýst árið 1988. Svæðið einkennist af víðáttumiklu hraun- og sandflæmi sem á upptök sín í gígaþyrpingu í rótum Langjökuls. Landið er víða vel gróið. Þar hafa fundist stórir hellar. Stærð friðlandsins er 12.281,7 ha“ (1). Þrjú merkilegustu eyðibýli á Vesturlandi eru innan svæðisins. Víðáttumikið útsýni er frá Geitlandi en Langjökull, Eiríksjökull og fjöllin í kring mynda fallega umgjörð um svæðið (2).

A wave-carved basalt sea arch on the Arnarstapi coast, reached along the scenic coastal path toward Hellnar.

Hellnar is one of Iceland's oldest fishing villages, perched on dramatic lava rock cliffs at the foot of Snæfellsjökull.

Twin basalt volcanic plugs rising from the southern Snæfellsnes coast, the taller reaching about 75 metres.

Rauðfeldsgjá is a narrow, dramatic gorge slicing deep into the mountainside near Arnarstapi on Snæfellsnes.

Fishing village known for dramatic basalt cliffs

Witness Gatklettur (Arch Rock), a stunning natural stone arch carved by the sea on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Helgafell (Holy Mountain) is a 73-meter high hill on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with immense significance in Icelandic sagas and folklore.

A tiny fishing village on the southern Snæfellsnes coast — a café, dramatic sea arches, bird cliffs and one of Iceland's most atmospheric coastal walks.

A narrow, dramatic gorge on Snæfellsnes where a stream runs between walls that close to shoulder-width, with saga connections.

Sönghellir (Song Cave) is a remarkable lava tube on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for its extraordinary acoustics.

„Fjórar eyjar norður af Hrappsey, oft nefndar Dímonarklakkar. Tvær þeirra, hinir eiginlegu Dímonarklakkar, eru hæstar (71 m y.s.). Eru þær keilulaga og ber hátt yfir eyjarnar í kring. Þar er vogur sá sem sagt er að Eiríkur rauði hafi leynt skipi sínu í meðan hann bjó sig til Grænlandsferðar. Klakkeyjar voru áður byggðar og er Bæjarey stærst“ (1). Eyjarnar eru friðaðar vegna einstaks landslags (2). „Klakkeyja má og njóta sem afgerandi útsýnis yfir eyjarnar í mynni Hvammsfjarðar, hvort sem er af veginum eða af Klofningi“ (3).

One of the Westfjords' largest fjords, with branching inlets, steep mountains, Bíldudalur and access toward Dynjandi.

Djúpifjörður reveals a stunning tapestry of winding rivers, lush green valleys, and a tranquil fjord under dramatic skies.

Iceland's most dramatic cliff-edge coastal road in the Westfjords, a track carved into towering rock faces.

Súðavík: A resilient Westfjords village, reborn from adversity, offering fjord beauty and Arctic fox encounters.

Remote Westfjords nature reserve with rich birdlife, wetlands, and fjord scenery near Flókalundur.

A broad Westfjords fjord by Flateyri, known for white-sand shores, shallow tidal flats and dramatic mountain scenery.

A huge silvery granite boulder near Stóra-Ávík, thought to have arrived with sea ice from Greenland.

Explore Surtarbrandsgil, a protected geological wonder in the Westfjords, revealing ancient petrified plant remains.

A majestic arch-rock on the Bakkahöfði cape, sculpted by nature's power in North Iceland.

Step into Grjótagjá, a geothermal cave with an electric-blue hot spring pool, famously featured in Game of Thrones.

This remote cove on the Langanes Peninsula features some of Iceland's most impressive coastal rock formations.

Iceland's most viscerally active geothermal area — a ridge of boiling mud pools, hissing vents and acid-yellow sulphur above Lake Mývatn.

The striking pseudocrater field on the shores of Lake Mývatn — formed not by volcanic eruption, but by steam explosions as lava flowed over a wetland.

Witness Iceland's unique twisted basalt columns forming caves and dramatic arches within an ancient crater row.

Internationally important fossil-bearing sediment layers on Tjörnes recording ancient seas and early Ice Age environments.

A remarkable field of countless varied hills covering more than four square kilometres in Vatnsdalur.

Dyrfjöll (Door Mountains) is a dramatic mountain range in East Iceland named for a striking window of sky visible through a natural gap (Stórurð) in the cliff …

A perfect pyramid-shaped mountain above Berufjörður — East Iceland's most geometrically striking peak, built from Iceland's oldest basalt.

Scenic river and outdoor recreation area just outside Egilsstaðir, with walking access, wooded surroundings and local saga history.

A broad coastal fjord and harbour landscape around Höfn, shaped by glacial rivers, sandbars, fishing history and views toward Vatnajökull.

Broad East Iceland valley shaped by Jökulsá á Dal, providing the landscape context for Stuðlagil, canyon scenery and historic highland routes.

Iceland's third-largest lake

Small island off the East Iceland coast, one of Iceland's oldest inhabited places, with a historic lighthouse and puffin colony.

A small Eastfjords island with Iceland's oldest garden — planted by a determined Reverend from 1909–1945 on one of Iceland's most exposed islands.

Protected coastal nature area near Djúpivogur, internationally known for zeolite minerals and including the scenic Búlandsá gorge.

Urðarhólar offers an idyllic landscape of colorful mountains, a serene lake, and unique geological mounds in East Iceland.

A captivating rocky outcrop, sculpted by the Jökulsá river, standing proud in East Iceland.

Witness the immense power of nature at Haugahólar, a massive ancient landslide creating a dramatic, crater-like landscape.

A striking 20-metre sea stack at Lækjavík between Álftafjörður and Höfn, right beside Iceland's Ring Road.

Vesturhorn, a majestic gabbro mountain on Stokksnes Peninsula, offers breathtaking reflections and dramatic peaks.

A protected spring-fed oasis northwest of Herðubreið, with unusually lush Highland vegetation, ranger services and several marked hiking routes.

Explore Hrafntinnusker, a remote obsidian mountain ridge on the Laugavegur trail, famed for geothermal hot springs and snow fields.

A large glacial lake beside Langjökull on the historic Kjölur route, framed by remote Highland mountains and glacier scenery.

Remote Highland lake surrounded by volcanic mountains and wilderness near Vatnajökull.

Historic north–south highland corridor through one of Iceland’s most remote interior landscapes.

Highland district of roughly 50 crater lakes set among black volcanic sand and young volcanic landforms.

A roadless Highland pass and watershed with a remarkable high-temperature geothermal area, reached only on challenging marked hikes.

Rare boulder moraine near Sænautasel, forming a natural wall about 300 metres long and up to 7 metres high.