Volcano · The Highlands
Eldgjá
volcano and a canyon in Iceland
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.
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Quick facts
- Eldgjá is 236 km from Reykjavík by road, about 5 h 28 min by car. The nearest road is about 1.8 km away.
- The nearest town to Eldgjá is Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
- Eldgjá is a volcano in the Icelandic Highlands.
The facts
| Nearest town | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
|---|---|
| From Reykjavík | 236 km by road, about 5 h 28 min |
| Region | The Highlands |
| Coordinates | 63.9666° N, 18.6091° 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.
The nearest road is about 1.8 km away.
Questions people ask
What is Eldgjá?
Eldgjá is a volcano in the Icelandic Highlands.
Where is Eldgjá?
Eldgjá is at 63.9666° N, 18.6091° W, in the Icelandic Highlands. The nearest town is Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The nearest other sight on our map is Ófærufoss, a waterfall about 484 m away in a straight line.
How far is Eldgjá from Reykjavík?
Eldgjá is 236 km from Reykjavík by road, about 5 h 28 min by car. The nearest road is about 1.8 km away.
How do I get to Eldgjá?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Eldgjá, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Is there a trail to Eldgjá?
Yes. A walking route on our map leads there: Skælingar - Hólaskjól (17 km, about 5 h 15 min).
Does it cost anything to visit Eldgjá?
We have not verified a fee for Eldgjá. 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.
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
- Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.