Elevation
2,110 meters
Iceland's highest point (Hvannadalshnjúkur).
Öræfajökull: Iceland's Largest Active Volcano
Iceland's largest active volcano at 2,110 meters, home to the country's highest peak, with a catastrophic eruption history and increased seismic monitoring since 2017.
Region
Southeast Iceland
Near Skaftafell. Guided summit climbs available.
Quick Answer
Öræfajökull is a large ice-covered stratovolcano in southeast Iceland, part of the Vatnajökull ice cap. Its summit, Hvannadalshnjúkur, is Iceland's highest point at 2,110 meters. The volcano's 1362 eruption was among the most devastating in Icelandic history; it destroyed an entire district and left the barren region that gave the volcano its name, Öræfi ("wasteland").
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Summit climbs require experienced guides and proper glacier equipment.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Major eruption
1362 AD
Destroyed Litla-Hérað district completely.
Access
Ring Road / Skaftafell
Guided climbs May–August. 12–15 hours.
What to Expect at Öræfajökull
- Ice-capped stratovolcano: 2,110 m, Iceland's highest peak (Hvannadalshnjukur) on the caldera rim
- Catastrophic 1362 eruption (VEI 6): one of Iceland's most explosive; destroyed Litla-Herad district entirely
- The most recent confirmed eruption began in 1727 and continued into 1728
- Increased seismic activity in 2017: geothermal cauldron formed in caldera ice, alert level raised
- Multiple outlet glaciers: Svinafellsjokull, Skaftafellsjokull, and Kotarjokull flow from its slopes
- A summit expedition requires a qualified guide, a suitable route and glacier equipment
- Visible geological features include volcanic ash layers, glacial moraines, and ice-sculpted ridges
Nearby Attractions
- Skaftafell and Svartifoss waterfall
- Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
- Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon
- Skaftafellsjökull glacier hiking trails
How to Get There
- Drive Route 1 (Ring Road) to Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park (~320 km from Reykjavik)
- No F-road required: Skaftafell visitor center and glacier tongue trailheads are off Route 1
- Guided glacier walks on Svinafellsjokull and Skaftafellsjokull depart from Skaftafell area year-round
- Summit climbs to Hvannadalshnjukur require booking with licensed mountaineering guides
- Summit approach typically starts from Sandfell or Svinafellsjokull; full glacier equipment provided by guides
- Standard 2WD car sufficient for reaching Skaftafell; 4WD not needed for the base area
Best Time to Visit
- May to August: summit climbing season; guides operate Hvannadalshnjukur ascents during this window
- June to September: best weather for glacier walks on Svinafellsjokull and Skaftafell hiking trails
- Year-round: glacier walks available in all seasons; ice formations change between summer and winter
- Winter: ice caves in outlet glaciers; northern lights from Skaftafell area
- July: longest days and warmest summit conditions; best probability for clear summit views
- Monitor vedur.is for seismic alerts; elevated monitoring since 2017 geothermal activity in the caldera
Why the last eruption has two dates
The Smithsonian eruption history dates the most recent confirmed episode from August 3, 1727 to approximately May 1728. A source that says “1727” and a catalogue that lists “1728” may therefore refer to the beginning and end of the same eruption.
The much larger 1362 event is a separate episode. Neither historical date is a forecast. Check current IMO information and the actual route selected by a qualified guide before attempting the glacier-covered summit area.
Planning help
Öræfajökull FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is Öræfajökull the highest point in Iceland?
Yes, Hvannadalshnjúkur peak on Öræfajökull at 2,110 meters is Iceland's highest point. It sits on the rim of the volcano's caldera and is a popular mountaineering objective, usually climbed from the Skaftafell area.
What happened in the 1362 eruption?
The 1362 eruption of Öræfajökull was one of the most catastrophic in Icelandic history. It destroyed the entire Litla-Hérað district, killed all inhabitants and livestock, and created the Öræfi (wasteland) region that gives the volcano its name.
Can you climb Öræfajökull?
Yes, guided climbs to Hvannadalshnjúkur summit are available, typically from May to August. The climb requires crampons, ropes, and experienced guides due to crevasses on the glacier. It takes 12–15 hours round trip.
What happened with Öræfajökull in 2017?
In late 2017, increased seismic activity and a geothermal cauldron forming in the caldera's ice cap raised concerns about a potential eruption. Authorities raised the alert level, though no eruption occurred. Monitoring continues.
How do you get to Öræfajökull?
Öræfajökull is accessed via Route 1 (Ring Road) in southeast Iceland, near Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. The glacier tongues Svínafellsjökull and Skaftafellsjökull flow from its slopes and are popular for glacier walks.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.