Ready for your winter holiday adventure? See tours
Ready for your winter holiday adventure? See tours
A new fissure opened at Meradalir valley on August 3rd, 2022. Use this unique opportunity to see the recently erupted volcano with your own eyes!
On this tour, you'll get an exclusive opportunity to hike to the recently erupted Meradalir volcano and get as close to it as is safe. Your professional guide will be there for you to ensure your safety. It's the second eruption that has occurred in this area within one year. The previous outbreak diminished in late 2021, and the latest ongoing eruption started on August 3rd, 2022.
After a full day of hiking and seeing the newly formed land, we'll move on to relax in the calming blue waters of Blue Lagoon.
The tour will start with a pick-up from your chosen Reykjavik location. When everyone is aboard, your driver guide will take you towards the Geldingadalur valley on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Kleifarvatn is the Reykjanes Peninsula's largest lake, known to be seismically active. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and ancient rock formations, scalped by the forces of wind and water for centuries. The proof of seismic activity is underwater hot springs, which have opened within the lake. Seeing the streams of boiling water in the middle of the lake is truly an incredible sight to see.
Meradalir Volcano, located in Reykjanes Peninsula, erupted in the afternoon of August 3rd, 2022. You'll have an amazing opportunity to see the newly formed land (from a safe distance, of course). A hike to the volcano in the Geldingadalur valley is beautiful but challenging. The volcano is accessible by foot so it will be an approximately 17 km hike both ways. Please evaluate your physical capability before booking the tour.
Grintavik is the closest village to where the Meradalir eruption is happening. It is a charming fishing village with a population of around 3,300 people, making their living mostly out of the sea. Grindavik is situated in a seismically active area where two different elements - hot lava and cool ocean - meet.
After a day full of hiking and seeing fascinating sites, you'll be in need of relaxation. That's why we'll head to the famous geothermal spa - Blue Lagoon, where you can relax in warm milky blue waters.
On our way back to Reykjavik, we'll also pass through the charming village of Hafnarfjörðu, known for jokes about the Vikings and elves.
Generally, the site is open 24/7 to all visitors, keep in mind that the area can be closed quickly due to weather or other unforeseen changes.
A new eruption started on the 3rd of August 2022 in Mt. Fagradalsfjall after being officially declared over on December 18th, 2021.
Since August 21st, 2022 there has been no visible activity in Meradalir Volcano. No flowing lava can be seen at the moment, but the hiking path remains open.
According to the Environmental Agency of Iceland, walking on the lava is forbidden and can be very dangerous. The top layer can easily break when stepped on, causing hazards to people. The lava at Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a unique geological monument that we must respect and protect. It is important for visitors to leave no traces such as throwing stones at the lava or making inscriptions on it. Lavas are under special protection according to art. 61 of the Nature Conservation Act. One of the biggest risks of walking on new lava is breaking the top layer over an unknown lava tube. Falling into a lava tube that's still several hundred degrees Celcius can lead to injuries.
Yes, if you are not joining a guided tour and driving to the eruption site on your own, the parking fee is 1000 ISK (≈ 8 USD) and can be paid electronically at Parka.is. The payment is valid for 24 hours. There are signs at the parking lots with instructions.
There are currently two parking lots that you can choose from, Parking P1 or Parking P2. You will need to pick the correct payment site accordingly:
Parking P1: https://www.parka.is/pay/geldingadalir/
Parking P2 (Stóri-Leirdalur): https://www.parka.is/pay/volcanoskali/
According to parka.is, the payment is necessary to pay for the infrastructure on-site and maintenance of it. The intention is to make access better and increase people's safety. The parking lots are monitored with cameras and if parking is unpaid, an additional fee is added and a bank claim is created. The claim usually goes out one day later, so if you have trouble paying on-site, you are able to finish the payment when you arrive back at your hotel.
The Meradalir Volcano is located on the Reykjanes peninsula close to Grindavík.
The hiking trails can be challenging and condition different day by day and even during the day. If you plan to hike to the volcano it is essential to have good hiking shoes, warm clothing and waterproof outerwear.
There are toilets in the parking lot area that have been set up.
Scientists and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management are always monitoring the area closely and informing the public if there are any updates. The area is open to the public but that can of course change with little notice. The safety of our passengers is our number one priority therefore we will follow the instructions coming from the authorities but as of right now the area is open and is not considered to be dangerous to the public.
Also, we recommend visiting active volcano to follow these steps in the area:
You can bring it with you, but we do also stop for lunch in Grindavík where you can buy snacks as well for the hike. Please note though that food is not included in the tour.
The best and safest way to visit a volcano is with a guided tour. Expert guides will be able to lead you to the eruption site, choosing the most secure paths and the optimal distance to observe the flowing lava so you can get the best, safest, and most enjoyable experience. You can choose to book the hike to the eruption site or book a helicopter tour and see the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula from above.
It is not obligatory to be accompanied by a professional guide to visit the site. However, taking a guided tour is safer than visiting the eruption site as fellow travelers will accompany you, and a local professional guide will ensure your safety.
