Hike · The Highlands
Fimmvörðuháls
Quick facts
- Fimmvörðuháls is 158 km from Reykjavík by road, about 2 h 29 min by car.
- The Fimmvörðuháls route is 23 km long and takes about 6 h 45 min to walk.
- The nearest town to Fimmvörðuháls is Hvolsvöllur.
- Fimmvörðuháls is a hike in the Icelandic Highlands.
The facts
| Distance | 23 km |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1300 m |
| Walking time | 6 h 45 min |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Nearest town | Hvolsvöllur |
| From Reykjavík | 158 km by road, about 2 h 29 min |
| Region | The Highlands |
| Coordinates | 63.6779° N, 19.4826° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Questions people ask
What is Fimmvörðuháls?
Fimmvörðuháls is a hike in the Icelandic Highlands.
Where is Fimmvörðuháls?
Fimmvörðuháls is at 63.6779° N, 19.4826° W, in the Icelandic Highlands. The nearest town is Hvolsvöllur. The nearest other sight on our map is Útigönguhöfði, a hike about 13 m away in a straight line.
How far is Fimmvörðuháls from Reykjavík?
Fimmvörðuháls is 158 km from Reykjavík by road, about 2 h 29 min by car.
How do I get to Fimmvörðuháls?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Fimmvörðuháls, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Hvolsvöllur.
How long does the Fimmvörðuháls hike take?
The Fimmvörðuháls route is 23 km long and takes about 6 h 45 min to walk. It is rated hard. The climb is 1,300 m. Walking times are estimates from the route's distance and climb, not a guarantee.
Does it cost anything to visit Fimmvörðuháls?
We have not verified a fee for Fimmvörðuháls. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Where can you swim near Fimmvörðuháls?
The nearest place to get in warm water is World Class Hella & Pool, about 64 minutes' drive from Fimmvörðuháls. It is included on any LifePass, so there is nothing to pay at the door. Also within reach: World Class Selfoss & Pool (96 min).
— After this
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- 64 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- 96 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
Nearby sights
Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- OpenStreetMap (ODbL-1.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.
