Hidden Gems · Iceland
Grindavík Lava Field
The lava fields around Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula are the newest ground in Iceland — laid down by the eruptions that began in 2021 and continued in a series through 2025. In places the rock is still cooling. This is the only stop on this site where the landscape itself is younger than the website.
I was there, and it was worth the detour from the airport road. But this page comes with a warning the others do not need: Reykjanes is an active volcanic system, the last eruption ended in August 2025, and further activity is considered likely. Access opens and closes at short notice, there are ground fissures in and around Grindavík itself, and conditions can change within hours. Before you drive out here, check almannavarnir.is for access decisions and en.vedur.is for hazard status. Do not rely on what this page — or any travel page — said last month.
My rating
Scale 1–5. On Cost, 1 means free and 5 means pricey. On Crowd level, 1 means near-solitude and 5 means tour-bus central.
Four out of five. Raw, black and completely bare, with steam still rising in places. It is not beautiful in the way a waterfall is; it is interesting in a way almost nothing else is.
There are at least three official parking spots (P1, P2, and an alternate Nátthagi lot), each offering access to different trailheads and viewpoints. Routes to various peaks and eruption sites differ: Path A leads to Mt. Fagradalsfjall, Path C to Mt. Langihryggur, and Path E toward the newest eruption site near Mt. Litli-Hrútur. Some paths are short and easy, while others require longer, more challenging hikes over mossy lava fields.
Parking costs 1,000 ISK per vehicle for 24 hours and must be paid online via official apps. There is no entrance fee for the lava fields or hiking trails themselves.
Due to its recent volcanic activity and accessibility from Reykjavík, Grindavik Lava Field attracts many visitors, especially during summer and eruption times. Early visits or late in the day are recommended to experience the landscape with fewer crowds.
Before you go
Planning your own Ring Road trip?
Iceland Ring Road Campervan Guide
My full 14-day route — roughly 2,500 km, every campsite I used, what I actually spent, and the stops worth the detour. The plan I drove, in one PDF.
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How I booked my campervan
I compared three rentals before I chose mine. These are the ones worth checking — Lava gives 5% off with code CREATOR.