Mývatn · Iceland
Hverfjall
Hverfjall is a tephra explosion crater on the eastern side of Lake Mývatn, formed about 2,500 years ago and roughly a kilometre across. A gravel path climbs from the car park to the rim — around 100 metres of ascent, about twenty minutes at a normal pace, steep enough that you notice it. From the top you look down into the crater and out across the lava fields, Dimmuborgir and the lake.
I walked the full loop around the rim rather than just going up and back down, and that is the part worth doing. The view keeps shifting as you go round, and most people turn back once they reach the top. The climb is the short bit — allow well over an hour if you want the whole circuit.
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.
Black ash walls against the green of summer, and the sheer size of the thing. It is impressive rather than beautiful, which is what the three is about: up on the rim it is grey on grey, and the view outward does more for you than the view down.
Hverfjall is easily accessible by car from Route 848, with clear signage and a designated parking area at the base. The gravel path to the crater rim is short but steep, taking most visitors around 20 minutes to climb. Trails are safe for both adults and children, though sturdy footwear is recommended for the loose ash and rocks.
Parking is around 1,000 ISK, paid through the Parka app. The toilet at the car park is not included in that — it is a separate 200 ISK. Checked August 2026.
As one of the most popular attractions in northern Iceland, Hverfjall can get busy during the summer, especially midday when tour buses arrive. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer a quieter, more peaceful experience, with plenty of space to explore the crater’s rim and take in the view without queueing for a spot on the rim.
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
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