Skip to content

Or try searching by Category and/or Location

Discover the vicinity of Öræfajökull - stage eight of The Volcanic Way

Vatnajökull glacier is everpresent as you explore the easternmost part of The Volcanic Way. Its highest peak is Öræfajökull, a stratovolcano at Vatnajökull's southern edge. Ever since the volcano erupted in 1362, the surrounding region has been called Öræfi, which roughly translates to Wastelands. Now, centuries later, the area is embellished with lush fields and woods between glacial floodplains. Here you will find several glacier lagoons, Jökulsárlón being the most famous, and hiking trails in extraordinary landscapes. In winter, if you're lucky, you might spot wild reindeer. In summer, you can visit puffins on a guided tour of cape Ingólfshöfði. 

Learn and discover:

Locals recommend:

Popular places:

 

As you reach the eastern edge of The Volcanic Way, you will see ancient volcanoes, such as Vestrahorn and Eystrahorn, a vivid contrast to the newly formed lava fields of the travel route's western edge.

Activities - Öræfajökull

Atlantsflug - Flightseeing.is
Atlantsflug offers sightseeing flights by helicopter and fixed wing aircraft from Skaftafell Terminal – Tour Center, giving you a breathtakingly spectacular view of glaciers, volcanoes, riverbeds and …
Glacier Adventure
GLACIER ADVENTUREGlacier Adventure is a small family-run local company. Guiding is our passion and our life revolves around Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. All of our tours are operated on, und…
Glacier Journey
The company is based at Víkurbraut 4 Höfn, approx. 79 km east of Glacier Lagoon- Jökulsárlón, owned and run by the couple Laufey and Gulli. Glacier Journey is operating all year round and offers Super…
Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours
Jökulsárlón is a natural wonder with huge iceblocks floating on the lagoon right by highway 1, the Ring Road! You can take a 30-40 minutes guided boat trip on the lagoon and sail among icebergs more t…
Local Guide - of Vatnajökull
Local Guide of Vatnajökull is a small family run company in the South East of Iceland offering small and intimate glacier trips on the Vatnajökull glacier outlets. All of our guides are local to the a…
From Coast To Mountains
We are a local family company that has been running trips in southeast Iceland since 1991. Our Summer Special is the popular Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour. This adventurous journey starts on a tractor draw…
Ice Adventure / Glacier Jeeps
Since 1994 we have offered exciting super jeep and snowmobile tours on Europe´s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. We pick you up from Vagnsstaðir and start our magnificent drive towards the glacier, we wi…
Iceguide
IceGuide is a family run company, owned by Óskar Arason who is the company’s tour guide, and his wife & Manager, Íris Heiður Jóhannsdóttir. Óskar is born and raised in the realm of Vatnajökull Glacier…
Höfn – Local Guide
  Experience the here and now  Höfn Local Guide is a locally-owned family business in Höfn in Hornafjörður that operates in the field of Slow-Adventure Tourism. The focus is on nourishing experience t…
Iceberg Tours
We offer Zodiac Boat Tours on the majestic Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Fjallsárlón is an isolated glacial lagoon in the realm of Vatnajökull. Arriving to the lagoon is like stepping into a dreamlike w…

Accommodation - Öræfajökull

Hali
Hali Country Hotel in South East Iceland offers comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price. Hali is a well known cultural place as one of Iceland‘s most famous writers was born here, Þórbergur Þó…
Hólmur Travel Service
Hólmur offers accomodation in an old farmhouse, renovated in 1960-70 style, with 6 double bedrooms and 2 shared bathrooms.  Good cooking facilities (only in winter) and dining area. We allso have 2 do…
GlacierWorld
Glacier World offers a beautiful guesthouse and geothermal baths in a beautiful area enveloped by mountains and glaciers. A visit to the geothermal baths is a perfect way to enjoy the contrasts of Ice…
Gerði Guesthouse
Accomodation close to Glacier Lagoon If you want to enjoy the Glacier Lagoon Breidamerkurlon, the National Park Skaftafell and a trip to the top of Vatnajokull Glacier, then you should stay with us. W…
Brunnholl
Brunnhóll is a guesthouse and restaurant enjoying unparallelled views to Vatnajökull National Park.  It is only 6 km from the edge of Fláajökull one of the outlets of Vatnajökull glacier, the biggest …
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Spectacular surroundings and natural wonders Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a beautiful hotel situated in Hnappavellir, a popular climbing area. The location is perfect for nature lovers, as it is right …
Fosshotel Vatnajökull
Panoramic view of Vatnajökull glacier Fosshotel Vatnajökull is a charismatic and attractive hotel in the southeast of Iceland with a spectacular panoramic view of the majestic glacier Vatnajökull. Ins…
Hótel Höfn
Hótel Höfn was founded in the year 1966 and is one of the better established hotels in the country. It is located in the centre of  town Höfn and has a breathtaking view over the magnificent glaciers,…
Hotel Skaftafell
Hotel Skaftafell is a comfortable 3 star tourist class hotel and invites you to one of the most wonderful and panoramic locations in all Iceland. The rooms are located in four different buildings and …
Lambhús Cabins
Lambhus Cabins Enjoy the fantastic views of Vatnajökull Glacier in your private cabin. The cabins have sleeps for up to 4 guests, ideal for couples or families. They have a kitchenette, a dining area,…
Milk Factory - guesthouse
Recently renovated, Milk factory guesthouse offers you the choice of 17 comfortable, stylish rooms.   The Milk factory is an attractive guesthouse in the coastal town of Höfn southeast Iceland,  with …
Lilja Guesthouse
LILJA Guesthouse is located in Hornafjordur, in the South East region of Iceland where Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier, plays the major role in a spectacular scenery. It is privately owned by a …
Hotel Glacier
Hótel Jökull is a family-run hotel, located in the vicinity of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. The scenery around the hotel is spectacular and many of the rooms have wonderful mountain views. I…
Arnanes
Arnanes Country Hotel is a family-run company, established in May 1993 in our own home, located in Nesjahverfi, 1,5 km from Arnanes.In August 1993 we bought a part of the farm Arnanes (30 ha of land a…

Volcanic wisdom

Öræfajökull, Iceland's highest peak at 2,110 meters, is a glacier-capped stratovolcano. As part of the Vatnajökull National Park, it is known for its visually stunning surroundings and dramatic landscapes. Öræfajökull's most significant eruption took place in 1362, which caused devastating floods and altered the region's geography.

Vatnajökull glacier covers several other subglacial volcanoes, including Bárðarbunga, Grímsvötn, and Kverkfjöll. These volcanoes have the potential to cause significant eruptions and glacial floods, making them closely monitored by scientists and authorities.

Vatnajökull glacier covers several other subglacial volcanoes

Fun fact: If the 370 km³ volume of Öræfajökull were to be spread across Manhattan Island, it would create a layer more than 900 meters deep. That's almost three times the height of the Empire State Building!

Öræfajökull

Öræfajökull - photograph by Þráinn Kolbeinsson

The Stages of The Volcanic Way

1. Fagradalsfjall
Located in Reykjanes Peninsula, a captivating geological wonderland where the raw power of nature is on full display.
2. Hengill
As you reach the vicinity of Hengill, you will start noticing steam rising from hills, mountains, and even within the town of Hveragerði.
3. Hekla
Hekla has been dubbed the Queen of Iceland’s volcanoes. The one that has erupted most frequently in recent years;
4. Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull is an ice-capped volcano that famously erupted in 2010, its ash cloud affecting air traffic widely in Europe.
5. Eldfell
One fateful night in 1973, the people of Westman islands woke up to a volcanic eruption at the edge of the town.
6. Katla
The vicinity of Katla is recognized by its vast black sands. While the volcano itself is hiding under thick layers of ice, its surrounding glacier, Mýrdalsjökull, is a majestic sight.
7. Lakagígar
The vast lava fields of the Lakiagígar region can seem otherworldly. Two significant volcanic eruptions produced these mystical landscapes:
8. Öræfajökull
Vatnajökull glacier is everpresent as you explore the easternmost part of The Volcanic Way. Its highest peak is Öræfajökull, a stratovolcano at Vatnajökull's southern edge
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers for anyone traveling The Volcanic Way