What are the three craters in the Grábrók Crater Row?

The Grábrók Crater Row consists of three distinct craters: Grábók (the largest and most visited, with a staircase to its rim), Grábrókarfell (a smaller crater adjacent to the main one), and a third unnamed smaller crater. Together they form a short volcanic fissure alignment that erupted roughly 3,400 years ago.

Why is the Grábrók area a protected nature reserve?

The Grábrók area was designated a protected nature reserve in 1962 to preserve its unique volcanic landscape, the scoria craters, and the regenerating birch woodland on the Grábrókarhraun lava field. The protection helps prevent damage from foot traffic and vehicle access to the fragile volcanic formations and the slow-growing vegetation.

Can you visit all three craters?

Grábók, the largest crater, is the most accessible with its wooden staircase. Grábrókarfell can also be visited with a short additional walk, though it lacks formal trails. The third, smaller crater is visible from the area but has no developed access. Most visitors focus on the main Grábók crater and the nature trail through the lava field.

How was the Grábrókarhraun lava field formed?

The Grábrókarhraun lava field was formed during the same eruption that created the three Grábrók craters approximately 3,400 years ago. Lava flowed from the fissure and spread across the valley, eventually covering an area of about 15 square kilometers. Over the millennia, the lava has been colonized by moss, birch, and heathland vegetation.

Grábrók Crater Row – Three Volcanic Craters in West Iceland

A trio of volcanic craters forming a protected nature reserve along Route 1, where ancient eruptions shaped the West Iceland landscape

Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team

Location

West Iceland

Near Bifröst, along Route 1

The Grábrók Crater Row is a cluster of three volcanic scoria craters located along Route 1 in West Iceland near the village of Bifröst. The craters -- Grábók (the largest), Grábrókarfell, and a third smaller unnamed crater -- were all formed during the same eruptive episode approximately 3,400 years ago along a short volcanic fissure. The eruption produced both the craters and the expansive Grábrókarhraun lava field that stretches across the valley floor. In 1962, the entire area was designated a protected nature reserve by the Icelandic government, recognizing its geological significance and the regenerating birch woodland that has slowly reclaimed the lava field. The site provides a fascinating window into how volcanic landscapes evolve and recover over thousands of years.

Safety + sourcing

Last updated: 2026-02-01

This is a protected nature reserve. Stay on marked trails to protect fragile vegetation. Do not remove rocks or disturb the natural formations.

Sources to check

Craters

Three craters aligned along a fissure: Grábók, Grábrókarfell, and one smaller unnamed crater

Protected Since

1962

Designated a protected nature reserve by the Icelandic government in 1962

Location

Route 1

Situated directly along Iceland's Ring Road near Bifröst, making it one of the easiest crater sites to reach

What to Expect

Three Distinct Craters

The crater row features three separate formations, each with its own character. Grábók is the largest and most dramatic, while the others provide additional geological interest.

Grábók Staircase

The main crater features a wooden staircase of approximately 300 steps leading to the rim, providing easy access to panoramic views from the highest point.

Nature Reserve Trail

A well-marked nature trail loops through the surrounding Grábrókarhraun lava field, passing through birch scrub, moss, and heathland with interpretive signs.

Birch Woodland Recovery

The lava field showcases how Icelandic birch woodland slowly recolonizes volcanic landscapes, with trees gradually establishing in the sheltered crevices of the lava.

Geological Interpretation

Information panels at the parking area and along trails explain the eruption history, crater formation, and the ecological succession visible in the lava field.

Fissure Alignment

The three craters are aligned along a visible fissure, demonstrating how volcanic eruptions in Iceland often occur along linear cracks in the earth's crust.

Getting There

The Grábrók Crater Row is located directly alongside Route 1 (Ring Road) in West Iceland, approximately 100 km north of Reykjavík near the Bifröst university village. From Reykjavík, drive north on Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel and continue through the Borgarfjörður area. The craters and parking area are clearly signposted on the right side of the road. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Reykjavík. From Akureyri in the north, the drive is approximately 250 km south along Route 1. The parking area can accommodate cars and buses and is accessible to all vehicles year-round.

Best Time to Visit

The Grábrók Crater Row is accessible year-round, with each season offering a different experience. Summer (June through August) provides the greenest scenery, with the birch woodland in full leaf and wildflowers in the lava field. Autumn (September-October) brings golden and red colors to the birch, creating a warm palette against the dark volcanic rock. Winter visits offer a stark beauty with snow-dusted craters, though the staircase can be icy and requires caution. Spring (April-May) sees the first green shoots emerging from the lava field. The site makes an excellent 30-45 minute stop on any season's Ring Road drive between Reykjavík and the north.

Planning help

Grábrók Crater Row FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

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