Fagradalsfjall volcano (Geldingadalir): track C, including lava field and front view of crater
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.76 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,417 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,417 ft
- Max elevation
- 974 ft
- TrailRank
-
70
5
- Min elevation
- 80 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour 59 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 40 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1397
- Uploaded
- July 14, 2021
- Recorded
- July 2021
near Grindavík, Suðurnes (Ísland)
Viewed 14245 times, downloaded 488 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Since the route A is closed, 2 possibilities exist: route B and route C (created last June 2021).
Actually, route B (3-4 hours both ways) is longer and more difficult (steep mountain path) than route C, but just offers a SIDE VIEW of the crater. You don’t really see much flowing lava. Route C is the shortest and easy hike to the lava field in the Nátthagi valley (1 hour both ways) . From Nátthagi, the trail C continues and heads steeply up the Eastern ridge of Langihryggur (alt. 300m, 2km to the summit) where hikers get a breathtaking FRONT VIEW over the crater (1 or 2 hours more).
Therefore, we opted for the route C. It's a challenging hike with steep climbs and crazy wind conditions sometimes. Hiking shoes, walking poles, warm and waterproof clothing are necessary. Weather conditions in Iceland can change very suddenly.
So, at this very stage (mid-july 2021, but it may change in the future), track C is definitely the best trail to observe and admire this fantastic phenomenon of nature.
To prepare your visit, check first these useful public websites :
https://safetravel.is/eruption-in-reykjanes
https://volcanoweather.is/
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Waypoints
Car park
330 ft
Stationnement
Important tip: there are at least 4 parking areas along the road 427 from Grindavik. The hike C starts from the very last smaller parking on the left side. It is forbidden to park along the road
Waypoint
333 ft
Waypoint
Interesting map showing both routes B and C and the extended lava fields (in purple). However, the trail C isn't mentioned from its new start, from a parking located close the to Skala Maeliffel hill, down the map.
Photo
Panorama
664 ft
View from the Eastern ridge of Langihryggur
The lava field in the Nátthagi valley (at the middle of the climb).
Intersection
904 ft
Alternative trail for the return
Instead of turning back on the same way on the ridge of the mount range, facing wuthering winds, there is a fast, easy and quieter trail to the parking on the eastern side of the mount Langihryggur. NB: From this point, there are possibilities to go a few hundred meters closer to the active lava field and the crater by going North-East on the mount Stóri Hrútur. Stay on the hill and ridge and keep away from low lying areas because of volcanic gases hazards. BEWARE of this.
Comments (2)
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Thank you very much for the route and the information, it is very valuable!
My partner has knee problems and I think she will not be able to do the complete route C, she is a Geologist and would like to see the crater even from afar, do you know if there is any way. Thank you!
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Difficult
In early September, this is still the best option.
Thanks for the alternative way back to the car park - it was great to return in only 30 minutes, ahead of the coming rain!!!
Thanks!