The 2022 Eruption of Fagradalsfjall Volcano - An Unforgettable Iceland Volcano Eruption

You can see Iceland's volcanic activity for yourself by visiting Fagradalsfjall Volcano. This sought-after destination allows you to hike to the newly made lava fields. Here is our guide to the 2022 Eruption of Fagradalsfjall Volcano and how you can see it for yourself!

The Eruptions of Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Iceland volcano eruptions have been common throughout the country over the years. A study that was conducted showed that there were over 200 eruptions that took place over the last 11 centuries. That is an average of 20-25 events per 100 years!

Before we get to the 2022 eruption of Fagradalsfjall Volcano we need to talk about the previous 2021 eruption.

2021 Eruption

On March 19, 202 at 8:45 PM the eruption of Fagradalsfjall began to shake the Reykjanes Peninsula. These small earthquakes began to shake the area after an increase in seismic activity.

The shaking then came to a stop with a calmness following. Then a bright light blanketed the sky This indicated there was a minor eruption that did take place. Luckily it was not large enough to disturb the Icelandic people and their homes.

The eruption was consistent in the Geldingadalir Valley for about 6 months. This brought many tourists to the area hoping to catch a glimpse of the erupting volcano. Then in December 2021 the eruption officially ended.

2022 Eruption

Then on August 3rd, 2022, a new eruption took place. Weeks of earthquakes started again, with the strongest tremors measuring above 5.0 on the Richter scale. Luckily there were no injuries or damages.

The eruption started in the valley of Meradalir or the “Valley of the Mares”. This location is north of the 2021 eruption site. Today you can hike where the lava flowed from the Volcano. A truly amazing site to see!

Both the 2021 and 2022 eruptions have similarities since the locations were not far from each other. However, this eruption took place inland in the mountainous area.

Visiting The Eruption Site

The eruption site at Fagradalsfjall is located in the beautiful and remote area of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The closest town to the Volcano is Grindavík, which is about 20 miles or 32 kilometers from the capital, Reykjavík.

Today you can visit the eruption site which is currently open 24/7 to all visitors. It is important to note that the area can be closed at any time due to weather or eruptions.

Either way visiting the Reykjanes Peninsula is a trip of its own! So you will not be short on things to do and places to see.

Is The Eruption Still Happening?

As of today, no new activity has been reported at the eruption site. This could change at any time, which is why checking the website is so important. Volcanic eruptions in Iceland can occur at any time, so always be aware of your surroundings.

How To Get to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

There are a few different ways to take a road trip to Fagradalsfjall Volcano!

Reykjavik

Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a one-hour drive from Reykjavik, making it a quick road trip away.

If you are driving from Reykjavik you will take road 41 towards Keflavik. Then turn onto Route 43 towards Grindavík. From here you will continue down Road 427 until you reach the parking lot.

Keflavik Airport

If you are driving to the volcano from Keflavik Airport you can make your way through Grindavík. There are two different routes you can take.

The first one brings you down Road 41 until you turn right on Road 43. Then follow Road 427 to the parking area.

The second route will bring you to Iceland’s coast which is a very scenic drive. You will take Road 41 to Road 44. Then continue to Road 425 towards Grindavík. You will stay on this road until you reach 427, which will bring you to the parking area.

You may even spot Agradalsfjall Volcano from your airplane window when landing in Keflavik. Since it is only 30 minutes from Keflavík Airport.

Parking At Fagradalsfjall Volcano

There is a parking fee at Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Parking costs about 1000 ISK or 8 USD.

You can easily pay for parking online at Parka. is. The payment will be valid for 24 hours. There will be further instructions at the parking area too. This will include a QR code that you can scan with your phone.

Leave your car in a marked parking lot, not on the side of the road. There are currently two parking lots for you to use, Parking P1 or Parking P2. You will then choose the correct payment site that matches your lot.

You can pay for Parking P1 on this website.

While Parking P2, or Stóri-Leirdalur, accepts payments on this website.

The parking lots are monitored with cameras to track unpaid parking. So don't park without paying!

Having trouble paying on-site due to service issues? No worries, you will be able to finish the payment when you arrive back at your hotel.

Hiking Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Hiking the Volcano is one of Iceland's top tourist attractions. You will have a rare chance to look at the new lava and volcanic crater.

You will have the rare opportunity to hike along the volcanic field. In fact, there are a few different hikes you can take to the new 2021 eruption site.

In addition to that, there is another new trail that opened in August of 2022. We will go over all of your options so you can plan the perfect day hike to Fagradalsfjall Volcano.

Path A

If you want to hike to the new eruption site you can take Path A. This trail is about 4.5 miles or 7 km each way. Making it about 9 miles or 14 km in total. There is an incline of 300 meters which will provide quite the workout.

You can expect this hike to take about 4 to 5 hours depending on your speed. There are a few different starting points that can make the hike shorter. This will all depend on where you park your car along the route.

The route goes up a very steep hill as you get closer to the crater. But the views from the top are so worth it!

Path B

If you are looking for more of a challenge try Path B. Even though the distance is shorter at 4 miles total or 6 km, it is still harder to hike. Many hikers only use this hike if the wind blows the gasses through Path A.

Path C

One of the most popular hikes is the trek to the sightseeing platform. From here the crater is visible! The hike is 6 miles or 10 km in total. To hike here just park your car at parking lot #1 and start your trek

Guided Tours to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

There are so many tours you can choose from if you want to take a guided visit to the Volcano. Here are some unique ones for you to try!

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike with Geologist

Take this unique tour with Get Your Guide, one of Iceland’s top-rated tour companies. The geologist & volcanologists will teach you interesting geological facts about the development of the eruption. You will also learn all about the lava field with this Fagradalsfjall tour.

You will discover how the hot lava field is forming new land. Your guide will tell you how the composition of the lava influences the appearance of the rocks.

After, make your way to the crater viewpoint to see panoramic views of the volcanic landscapes below. This is an educational tour for all geology lovers!

Recently Erupted Volcano & Geothermal Landing Helicopter Tour

Adventures.com will bring you high in the skies to view Fagradalsfjall Volcano with their helicopter tour. This is recommended for those who don’t want to take a long hike to the crater. You can still admire the stunning views of the volcanic landscape.

Leaving Reykjavik Airport, you will fly over the Meradalir. This is where the recent volcanic eruption took place. Marvel at the newly formed land from the sky, as you fly safely in a helicopter through the area.

You will then visit the Hengill Geothermal Area where you will land for a quick break. Explore the geothermal area on foot!

Then you will take a flight back to Reykjavik Airport with a scenic view over the capital's famous attractions.

Guided Hike to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Troll Expeditions runs a guided hike with their Fagradalsfjall Volcano tour. This trip runs 9 hours and is the best full-day tour you can get!

First, you will explore the newly formed volcano and the Reykjanes Peninsula. Then you will head over to Geldingadalur while viewing thousand-year-old lava fields/

Once you reach the parking lot, your hike to the volcano will begin. You will hike to the newly formed lava fields! You will be able to touch the lava stones and even take a few back home with you.

You will then continue hiking to the top of a mountain. Take in the views of the volcano and the magnificent lava fields from the top.

You will also get the chance to enjoy HRAUN Chocolate, which means LAVA in Icelandic during your hiking break! Let's be real, It doesn’t get much better than that.

Is There Cell Phone Service at Fagradalsfjall Volcano?

No, there is not any cell phone service here. It is important to remember this if you plan on hiking the area.

If you need service you can drive to Grindavíkto. They also have places to grab some snacks and water before making your way out onto the trail.

Safety Tips

It is important to stay safe when visiting Iceland's volcanic sites. Here are some tips and tricks that can provide you with ease.

SafeTravel.is

The first thing you should do is visit SafeTravel.is. This website will provide alerts for the site of the eruption. They also tell you what trails are open and closed, depending on the weather.

Gas Pollution

It is important to note that there is gas pollution in the area. However, it is not as bad since the eruption has stopped. The gasses could gather together in valleys, where the land is lower.

It is important to avoid the smoke from the eruption for long periods of time since it is very polluted. If exposed for long it could cause very serious illness and even fatalities.

Stay Off The Lava

It may be tempting, but do not walk on the lava! Since the eruptions took place over the past few years the lava is still fragile.

Even though it looks like it has cooled down, it hasn’t. Lava can be dangerous for months to even a year after an eruption. So do yourself a favor and don't walk directly on the lava.

Check The Weather

Always check the weather before hiking in Iceland! Especially at a volcano. Fortunately, you can use Volcano Weather to track the current weather at Fagradalsfjall Volcano.

While checking the weather is always helpful, it can change fast in the mountains. Make sure to have layers and jackets with you even if it looks nice out. Which brings us to your next tip.

Pack Accordingly

Make sure you have the right items with you during your Iceland volcano hike. Here are some important ones to pack!

Hiking boots are necessary when doing any of Iceland’s hiking routes. The grips on the boots will keep you steady on any rocky or icy terrain.

Not to cause any alarm, but having an emergency kit with you could save your life. You want to get a small kit that has everything you will need. That way you can throw it right in your hiking backpack.

Make sure you bring all of your favorite snacks with you! You may not even realize how many calories you are burning during your trek. Stop and enjoy a snack while admiring Iceland's volcanic systems.

Staying hydrated when hiking is a must. Iceland is famous for its fresh drinking water, so bring a water bottle and fill it up before you.

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Road Trip Vehicles

Go Car Rental has so many fantastic Iceland rental cars for you to choose from. Let’s talk about the different types we offer.

4X4

Our most recommended vehicle type to visit Fagradalsfjall Volcano Iceland is our 4X4 vehicle. Our 4x4 SUV rental cars in Iceland are awesome for those who want to take a road trip around Iceland.

It is necessary to reserve a 4X4 vehicle if you plan on driving F-Roads. These mountainous roads can take you to some pretty spectacular places in Iceland. There are no F-Roads to reach the Volcano but you could take side trips.

Small

Want to rent a small rental car for your Iceland road trip? You can! These vehicles are great for solo travelers or couples. A lot of of our small rental vehicles are fuel efficent too. Which means you can save money on gas during your travels. So take a road trip on a budget while whale watching in Iceland.

Midsize

If you are seeking a enjoyable yet roomy ride, we suggest our midsize vehicles. You'll have plenty of legroom and ample space for your gear, coolers, and snacks. If you are traveling with a medium-sized group you will love these vehicles!

Minivan

If you are coming to Iceland with a large group or your family, check out our Minvians. Some seat 7 while others seat up to 8. Our spacious minivans are very popular with tourists.

Embarking on a day trip to a whale-watching tour or a longer road trip? No need to worry, because our Minivans have so much space for your luggage!