First eruption
March 2021
First eruption on Reykjanes in ~800 years.
Fagradalsfjall Volcano: the 2021-2023 Eruption Sites
The Reykjanes Peninsula's return to volcanic activity after 800 years of quiet: accessible lava fields near Keflavík and Reykjavik with ongoing eruption potential.
Region
Reykjanes Peninsula
Near Keflavík. Check gas and trail status first.
Quick Answer
In March 2021, lava began flowing from a fissure near Fagradalsfjall, ending 800 years of volcanic dormancy on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Multiple eruptions have followed and left new lava fields that visitors can hike to when conditions allow. Because it is close to both Reykjavik and Keflavík airport, it is among the easiest active volcanic areas in the world to reach.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Check volcanic gas forecasts and trail closures before visiting. Conditions change rapidly.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Distance
~40 km from Reykjavik
One of the world's most accessible eruption sites.
Activity information
Check current notices
A travel guide is not a live eruption-status report.
What to Expect at Fagradalsfjall
- Shield volcano / fissure eruption: effusive basaltic lava flows from multiple fissure vents since 2021
- 2021 eruption at Geldingadalir (Mar-Sep): first Reykjanes eruption in ~800 years; tourists hiked to flowing lava
- The 2021 and 2022 Fagradalsfjall sites and 2023 Litli-Hrútur site have different walking routes; distinguish them from the eruption area northeast of Grindavík
- Fresh pahoehoe and a'a lava fields with still-warm rock surfaces and colorful mineral deposits
- Choose the named path; distance and access vary by destination and parking point
- Volcanic gas hazard (SO2): check vedur.is gas dispersion forecasts before every visit; avoid valleys and low areas
- Closest active eruption site to an international airport (~20 km from Keflavik); part of a new volcanic cycle
Nearby Attractions
- Blue Lagoon geothermal spa
- Reykjanes Geopark (UNESCO)
- Grindavík fishing village
- Gunnuhver hot springs and mud pools
- Reykjanes lighthouse (Reykjanesviti)
- Bridge Between Continents at Sandvík
How to Get There
- Use the current official access route to the named parking area rather than an old drive-distance estimate
- Trailhead parking locations change with each eruption, so check safetravel.is for current access points
- Check the current approach-road status before driving
- Read the current path description and distinguish one-way distance from round-trip distance
- No guided tour required for lava field hikes, but guided tours available from Reykjavik with transport
- Follow official gas and access advice; postpone the visit if conditions are unsuitable
Best Time to Visit
- Year-round access to lava fields when trails are open and gas levels are safe
- During active eruptions: check safetravel.is daily; access may open/close based on lava flow direction
- June to August: longest days, best weather for hiking; midnight sun allows late evening visits
- Winter: lava fields accessible if gas-safe, but shorter days and potential ice on trails
- Between eruptions: cooled lava fields offer safer, gas-free exploration of volcanic features
- Wind direction matters: westerly winds push gas away from main hiking approaches
Choose the eruption site and path before budgeting time
SafeTravel’s Reykjanes guidance distinguishes the older Fagradalsfjall site from the eruption area northeast of Grindavík. Its route descriptions list Path A toward the 2021–2022 sites at 6–8 km one way, Path C to Langihryggur at 4 km one way, and Path E toward Litli-Hrútur at 18–20 km return. Path C offers a view of the 2023 lava, not the crater itself.
Read the current path and parking instructions before departure. The same guidance prohibits walking on lava and directs visitors to air-quality information. A stopped eruption does not establish safe ground or safe air, and a path’s published length does not establish that it is open today.
Planning help
Fagradalsfjall FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Can you hike to the Fagradalsfjall eruption site?
Choose the specific path and check SafeTravel’s current access guidance. The published routes have very different distances; there is no single three-to-four-hour hike that describes every Fagradalsfjall visit. Stay on marked paths and never walk on lava.
Is Fagradalsfjall still erupting?
The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced multiple eruption episodes since 2021. Check the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) for current volcanic activity status, as eruptions in this area may continue intermittently.
Is volcanic gas a concern at Fagradalsfjall?
Volcanic gas can remain a hazard after an eruption stops. Check official air-quality information and access instructions before travel. Do not use a mask or respirator as a reason to enter an area authorities advise avoiding.
How far is Fagradalsfjall from Reykjavik?
Fagradalsfjall is about 40 km from Reykjavik and roughly 20 km from Keflavík International Airport. It is one of the most accessible volcanic sites in Iceland, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Why was the 2021 eruption significant?
The March 2021 eruption at Fagradalsfjall was the first volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in approximately 800 years. It marked the beginning of a new eruptive period in the area that scientists expect could last decades or centuries.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.