Hike Hverfjall and Dimmuborgir

Mt. Hverfjall (Hverfell) is an old tephra crater that is estimated to be 2500 years old. The crater is about 1 km in diameter and 400 feet deep. Hikers can hike to the top via two marked routes which are easily identifiable. Travel to and from the crater rim is strictly limited to these two routes.  Once you reach the rim, you can continue along a marked trail that that goes about two-thirds of the way around the crater. Reaching the rim allows for great views of Lake Mývatn, the surrounding landscape, and into the crater itself. Descending towards the south will take you through a series of tight switchbacks. If you are uncomfortable with scree, this portion of the hike may not be for you.

Once you descend through the switchbacks you will enter the adjacent lava field known as Dimmuborgir, which means “Dark Castles”. This area allows you to explore a variety of lava formations via a series of easy and  marked walking trails. You should arrange to have a vehicle or shuttle service waiting for you at the parking lot at the Dimmuborgir visitors center, otherwise you will need to retrace your route back to the other side of the crater where you started at.