Craters
3
Three craters aligned along a fissure: Grábrók, Grábrókarfell, and Litla-Grábrók
Grábrók Crater Row: Three Craters in West Iceland
A trio of volcanic craters in a protected natural monument along Route 1 near Bifröst in West Iceland
Location
West Iceland
Near Bifröst, along Route 1
Quick Answer
The Grábrók crater row near Bifröst holds three scoria craters in a protected natural monument beside Route 1 in West Iceland. A staircase climbs Stóra-Grábrók.
The Grábrók Crater Row is a cluster of three volcanic scoria craters located along Route 1 in West Iceland near the village of Bifröst. The craters (Grábrók, the largest; Grábrókarfell; and a Litla-Grábrók) were all formed during the same eruptive episode approximately 3,400 years ago along a short volcanic fissure. The eruption produced both the craters and the Grábrókarhraun lava field that stretches across the valley floor. In 1962, the area was designated a protected natural monument for its geology and for the birch woodland that has slowly reclaimed the lava field. The site shows how volcanic landscapes recover over thousands of years.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This is a protected natural monument. Stay on marked trails to protect fragile vegetation. Do not remove rocks or disturb the natural formations.
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Official sources to check
Protected Since
1962
Designated a protected natural monument by the Icelandic government in 1962
Location
Route 1
Directly along Iceland's Ring Road near Bifröst, so it is one of the easiest crater sites to reach
What to Expect
Three Distinct Craters
The protected site names three craters: Stóra-Grábrók, Litla-Grábrók and Grábrókarfell. The developed ascent is on Stóra-Grábrók; marked routes also run around the craters.
Grábrók Staircase
A wooden staircase of approximately 300 steps leads to the main crater's rim, with wide views from the highest point.
Marked Trail
A well-marked nature trail loops through the surrounding Grábrókarhraun lava field, passing through birch scrub, moss, and heathland with interpretive signs.
Birch Woodland Recovery
The lava field shows how Icelandic birch woodland slowly recolonizes volcanic ground, with trees establishing in the sheltered crevices of the lava.
Geological Interpretation
Information panels at the parking area and along trails explain the eruption history, crater formation, and the ecological succession visible in the lava field.
Fissure Alignment
The three craters line up along a visible fissure. Volcanic eruptions in Iceland often occur along linear cracks like this in the earth's crust.
Getting There
The Grábrók Crater Row is located directly alongside Route 1 (Ring Road) in West Iceland, approximately 100 km north of Reykjavík near the Bifröst university village. From Reykjavík, drive north on Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel and continue through the Borgarfjörður area. The craters and parking area are clearly signposted on the right side of the road. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Reykjavík. From Akureyri in the north, the drive is approximately 250 km south along Route 1. Check current access conditions before planning a winter stop; heavy snow can make access difficult.
Best Time to Visit
The Grábrók Crater Row is accessible year-round. Summer (June through August) is greenest, with the birch woodland in full leaf and wildflowers in the lava field. Autumn (September-October) brings golden and red colors to the birch against the dark volcanic rock. In winter the craters are often dusted with snow, though the staircase can be icy and requires caution. Spring (April-May) sees the first green shoots emerging from the lava field. The site works well as a 30-45 minute stop on a Ring Road drive between Reykjavík and the north.
Look for the old sheep folds
There is more than the crater rim here. A stone sheep fold at the edge of Grábrók was used from 1831 to 1872; its replacement near Grábrókarfell remained in use until 1992. They give the lava-field walk a human timescale alongside the volcanic one. View them from the marked paths.
Planning help
Grábrók Crater Row FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What are the three craters in the Grábrók Crater Row?
The Grábrók Crater Row consists of three distinct craters: Grábrók (the largest and most visited, with a staircase to its rim), Grábrókarfell (a smaller crater adjacent to the main one), and a third unnamed smaller crater. Together they form a short volcanic fissure alignment that erupted roughly 3,400 years ago.
Why is the Grábrók area a protected natural monument?
The Grábrók area was designated a protected natural monument in 1962 to preserve the volcanic landscape, the scoria craters, and the regenerating birch woodland on the Grábrókarhraun lava field. The protection helps prevent damage from foot traffic and vehicle access to the fragile volcanic formations and the slow-growing vegetation.
Can you visit all three craters?
Grábrók, the largest crater, is the most accessible with its wooden staircase. Grábrókarfell can also be visited with a short additional walk, though it lacks formal trails. The third, smaller crater is visible from the area but has no developed access. Most visitors focus on the main Grábrók crater and the nature trail through the lava field.
How was the Grábrókarhraun lava field formed?
The Grábrókarhraun lava field was formed during the same eruption that created the three Grábrók craters approximately 3,400 years ago. Lava flowed from the fissure and spread across the valley, eventually covering an area of about 15 square kilometers. Over the millennia, the lava has been colonized by moss, birch, and heathland vegetation.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.