Elevation
1,682 meters
Flat-topped tuya shape.
Herðubreið: the Queen of Icelandic Mountains
The "Queen of Icelandic Mountains": a 1,682-meter flat-topped tuya formed during a subglacial eruption, rising from the Ódáðahraun lava desert in the northeast highlands.
Region
Northeast Highlands
F-road access. Summer only.
Quick Answer
Rising abruptly from the barren Ódáðahraun lava desert, Herðubreið is one of Iceland's most recognizable mountains. Its flat summit was shaped by volcanic eruptions beneath a thick ice-age glacier; geologists call the result a tuya. At its base lies the Herðubreiðarlindir oasis, a green area fed by subterranean springs in an otherwise barren landscape.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Highland F-roads can close without notice. Check road.is and carry emergency supplies.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Type
Tuya (table mountain)
Formed under ice-age glacier.
Access
4x4 via F88
Highland road, summer only.
What to Expect at Herðubreið
- Tuya (table mountain) classification: 1,682 m flat-topped volcano formed by subglacial eruption under ice-age glacier
- Last erupted during the Pleistocene: estimated 10,000+ years ago when ice sheets covered the highlands
- Flat-topped shape formed by lava erupting under thick glacial ice, which confined it into a steep-sided mesa
- Herdubreidarlindir oasis: spring-fed green area at the mountain's base with Arctic flora, a stark desert contrast
- Iceland Touring Association mountain hut and campsite at Herdubreidarlindir for overnight stays
- Challenging technical summit climb: steep loose scoria, rockfall hazard; experienced mountaineers only
- Surrounded by Odadahraun ('Desert of Misdeeds'), Iceland's largest lava desert at ~4,500 km²
Nearby Attractions
- Askja caldera and Víti crater
- Drekagil canyon
- Ódáðahraun lava desert
- Holuhraun lava field (2014–2015)
- Dyngjufjöll mountains
- Möðrudalur (Iceland's highest inhabited farm)
How to Get There
- Access via F88 highland road from Route 1 (east of Myvatn); same approach road as Askja
- 4WD vehicle with high clearance required; river crossings on F88 including the Lindaa river
- Herdubreidarlindir is approximately 70 km from Route 1 junction on F88 (allow 2+ hours)
- Campsite and mountain hut at Herdubreidarlindir must be booked through the Iceland Touring Association
- Guided highland tours from Myvatn and Akureyri include Herdubreid as part of multi-day itineraries
- No fuel, food, or services on F88; carry all supplies, spare fuel, and emergency equipment
Best Time to Visit
- Late June to early September: F88 highland road typically open only during this window
- July and August: warmest highland weather; best conditions for viewing and oasis camping
- Mountain hut at Herdubreidarlindir books up quickly in July, so reserve well in advance
- F88 opens late due to snowmelt and river levels, so check road.is before departure
- 24-hour summer daylight allows flexible hiking and photography schedules
- Winter: completely inaccessible; F88 closed from October through June
The short ascent figure excludes the full approach
The park’s Hb5 route description distinguishes roughly three hours from the mountain’s base to its top from about twelve hours for a return outing starting at Herðubreiðarlindir. It warns of falling and rockfall and calls for helmets.
Read the full route description when comparing walking times. The page’s short distance field should not be mistaken for the whole day’s travel. Seeing the tuya from the oasis and climbing it are very different commitments; use the mountain guide to plan the latter.
Planning help
Herðubreið FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Why is Herðubreið called the Queen of Mountains?
Herðubreið earned the nickname 'Queen of Icelandic Mountains' (Drottning íslenskra fjalla) because its flat-topped shape stands out from the surrounding lava desert.
What is a tuya?
A tuya is a flat-topped, steep-sided volcano formed when lava erupts under a thick glacier. The ice confines the lava, which produces the table-top shape. Herðubreið is one of the world's most recognizable tuyas.
Can you climb Herðubreið?
Climbing Herðubreið is very challenging and requires technical mountaineering skills. The steep, loose slopes of volcanic scree and potential rockfall make it dangerous. Only experienced climbers with proper equipment should attempt it.
How do you get to Herðubreið?
Herðubreið is reached via highland F-roads (F88), requiring a 4x4 vehicle. The mountain is visible from Herðubreiðarlindir oasis, a green campsite area at its base with a mountain hut. Roads open in summer only.
What is Herðubreiðarlindir?
Herðubreiðarlindir is a green oasis at the base of Herðubreið, fed by springs flowing from beneath the Ódáðahraun lava desert. It has a campsite, mountain hut, and short hiking trails, a stark contrast to the surrounding barren landscape.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.