How do I get to Breiðamerkurfjall Mountain Viewpoint?

Check the location on a map app and verify road conditions at road.is. A regular car is sufficient for most paved roads, but a 4x4 may be needed for gravel or highland roads.

Is there an entrance fee?

Entry fees vary by site. Many natural attractions in Iceland are free, while museums and organized tours typically charge admission.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer (June-August) offers the best weather and longest days. Winter brings possible Northern Lights but shorter daylight hours and potential road closures.

Iceland/south-iceland

Breiðamerkurfjall Viewpoint

Breiðamerkurfjall provides one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Southeast Iceland, overlooking the vast Vatnajökull ice cap, glacier tongues, and coastal lago…

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At a Glance

Visit time

15-30 minutes

Best season

May–September

Access

Short walk or drive to the viewpoint. Some require moderate hiking.

GPS

64.0500, -16.3833

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About

About Breiðamerkurfjall Viewpoint

Breiðamerkurfjall provides one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Southeast Iceland, overlooking the vast Vatnajökull ice cap, glacier tongues, and coastal lagoons. The viewpoint is reached via a moderately challenging hike that rewards visitors with 360-degree panoramas. On clear days, you can see from the glacier to the Atlantic Ocean, including Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Take in sweeping panoramic views of Iceland's extraordinary landscape from Breiðamerkurfjall Mountain Viewpoint

Background

History & Background

Breiðamerkurfjall Mountain Viewpoint in East Iceland offers panoramic views of Iceland's extraordinary landscape. Throughout history, elevated viewpoints in Iceland served practical purposes — they were used as lookout points for approaching ships, for monitoring weather conditions, and for surveying land boundaries. Many viewpoints correspond to locations mentioned in the medieval sagas, where characters would climb to high ground to survey their surroundings. Today, these same vantage points offer visitors sweeping views of glaciers, volcanoes, fjords, and the vast Icelandic highlands — landscapes that have changed remarkably little since the time of the sagas.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

On clear days, you can see from the glacier to the Atlantic Ocean, including Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Local Legend

The Elves of the Eastern Fjords

The steep mountains and narrow fjords of East Iceland are considered one of the most enchanted regions of the country. Local tradition holds that entire communities of elves (álfar) live inside the mountains, with their own towns, churches, and social structures mirroring human society. Fishermen in eastern fjord villages have long reported seeing lights in the mountainsides on dark winter nights — the windows of elf houses, they say. Some families maintain that their ancestors had regular contact with the elf-folk, trading goods and sharing knowledge. The belief is so persistent that construction projects in the region still sometimes account for known elf dwellings.

Experiences