Hike · The Highlands
Fimmvörðuháls
Before you go
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.
Warm up after: pools & lagoons with a visitor pass
Passes from ISK 7,900. Lagoons cost extra per visit.
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The best sights in each region, and where to soak afterwards.
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 9 h to walk.
- The nearest town to Fimmvörðuháls is Hvolsvöllur.
- Fimmvörðuháls is a hike in the Icelandic Highlands.
The facts
| Distance | 23 km |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1225 m |
| Walking time | 9 h |
| 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.
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 9 h to walk. It is rated hard. The climb is 1,225 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 92 minutes' drive from Fimmvörðuháls. It is included on any LifePass, so there is nothing to pay at the door.
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- World Class Hella & Pool92 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
ÚtigönguhöfðiHike · 13 mCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Reykholt
Valahnúkur hikeHike · 1.7 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Reykholt- ÚtigönguhöfðiMountain · 1.8 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Reykholt
- ValahnúkurMountain · 2.4 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Reykholt
ThórsmörkMountain · 2.8 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Andreas Tille
StakkholtsgjáCanyon · 3 kmCC BY-SA 2.0 de · Photo: Christian Bickel fingalo
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.