Hiking on the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Seljavellir

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare to conquer Eyjafjallajökull on this beautiful hike up the glacier-covered volcano.

Stretching 1,666 meters above sea level, Eyjafjallajökull is well known as one of Iceland’s most beautiful glaciers. This volcano sits on the south coast of Iceland and is a perfect day trip from Reykjavík.

From Seljavallalaug (the old swimming pool), your guide will lead you up the small mountain, following an old trek of gravel and moss. The beginning of this hike is steep but several resting spots can be found along the way. After 2 to 3 hours, you will find yourself at the base of the glacier where you can eat some lunch and prepare your gear for the ice. Your guide will show you how to fit and use your harness, crampons, and rope. It is not necessary to bring a lot of water on this trip as many small streams can be found along the way.

From the edge, you will hike the ice slope to the summit. You will eventually get to a flat glacier where on clear days you can admire its impressive caldera. Next is Goðasteinn, 1666 meters that usually takes from 30 to 50 minutes to climb. On Goðasteinn you can relax, take photos, and snack before beginning the descent. Heading down the mountain can take from 3 to 4 hours depending on the conditions of the hike. Once you have made your way back down take a dip in the swimming pool to relax!