Eldfell Volcano, Heimaey

The Eldfell hike climbs the volcano that erupted without warning on Heimaey, in Iceland's Westman Islands, in January 1973. The measured route is 5 km out and back from town, takes 1.5–2 hours, and involves about 200 m of total ascent to a high point of roughly 200 m. It is short and straightforward, but the loose red and black cinder slopes and the constant wind make it feel more adventurous than the numbers suggest.

The 1973 eruption forced the evacuation of the whole island overnight, destroyed hundreds of homes and added new land to Heimaey. Residents famously pumped seawater onto the advancing lava to save the harbour. From the crater rim you look down on the rebuilt town, the harbour mouth and the lava field, with the green cone of Helgafell next door and the other islands scattered across the sea.

Highlights

• Standing on a volcano that formed within living memory
• Patches of ground that still feel warm in places
• Panoramic views over Heimaey town, the harbour and the outer islands
• The lava field and Eldheimar museum, which tells the story of the eruption

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Heimaey is reached by the Herjólfur car ferry, which usually sails from Landeyjahöfn on the south coast, a short crossing; in rough weather or when the harbour silts up it may sail from Þorlákshöfn instead, which takes considerably longer. There are also flights from Reykjavík at times. Check current schedules and book ahead in summer. The hike starts in Heimaey town, so a car is not needed on the island.

Where to stay

Heimaey town has guesthouses, hotels, a campsite and restaurants, and staying overnight lets you combine Eldfell with Helgafell, the cliffs and puffin viewing. On the mainland, Hvolsvöllur and the farms around Landeyjahöfn are convenient for an early ferry.

Best time to hike

Eldfell can be climbed all year, but winter brings ice, snow and strong storms, and ferry crossings are more often disrupted. From May to August you can combine the hike with puffin watching on the island's cliffs, and long daylight makes timing easy. On clear days in any season, the views reach the mainland glaciers.

Safety

Heimaey is one of the windiest places in Iceland; strong gusts on the exposed rim can knock you off balance, so choose a calm day. The loose scoria is slippery on descent. Stay on marked paths to protect the slopes and avoid any steaming or hot spots. In winter, check the ferry and forecast before travelling. For emergencies call 112, and see SafeTravel.is for current conditions.