Elevation
2,110m (6,923 ft)
Iceland's largest active volcano with the highest peak.
Oraefajokull (Öræfajökull) Volcano Iceland - Largest Active Volcano Guide
The largest active volcano in Iceland and home to the highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur. Its 1362 eruption was one of the most explosive in Icelandic history.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Region
South Iceland (Vatnajökull)
2,110m (6,923 ft) · Largest active volcano
Öræfajökull is the largest active volcano in Iceland and home to the country's highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, at 2,110 meters. Its catastrophic 1362 eruption was one of the most explosive in Icelandic history, destroying the entire Litla-Hérað district through pyroclastic flows and massive glacial floods. The caldera is approximately 5 km wide and covered by glacier ice within the vast Vatnajökull ice cap. The volcano remains closely monitored, with increased geothermal activity detected in 2017-2018.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Öræfajökull is an active, monitored volcano. Glacier travel requires proper equipment and a guide. Check volcanic activity alerts before visiting.
Sources to check
Best for
Volcanic history
Eruption history, glacier walks, and the Hvannadalshnjúkur summit.
Access
Via Skaftafell
Guided glacier tours available from the national park.
What to Expect at Öræfajökull
- Summit elevation of 2,110m (6,923 ft)—the highest point in Iceland, with a prominence of 1,764m as an independent volcano
- First recorded eruption in 1362, one of the largest explosive eruptions in Icelandic history; last erupted 1727-1728
- A massive glacier-covered stratovolcano with a 5 km wide caldera covered by hundreds of meters of ice
- Guided glacier walks and ice climbing available on outlet glaciers Svínafellsjökull and Falljökull year-round
- Evidence of the catastrophic 1362 eruption visible in tephra layers throughout the surrounding farmland
- Increased geothermal activity detected in 2017-2018 with a geothermal cauldron forming in the caldera ice
Nearby Attractions
- Skaftafell wilderness area and Svartifoss waterfall
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
- Ingólfshöfði cape and puffin colony
- Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon with boat tours
- Skeiðarársandur glacial outwash plain
How to Get to Öræfajökull
- Main access through Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, signposted on Route 1 (Ring Road)
- Approximately 330 km (4.5 hours) east of Reykjavik along Route 1—no 4WD needed for the main road
- Glacier tour operators (Glacier Guides, Icelandic Mountain Guides) are based at the Skaftafell visitor center
- Svínafellsjökull parking area is reached via a 2 km gravel spur off Route 1; regular car sufficient
- Summit climb of Hvannadalshnjúkur requires advance booking with certified mountain guides (April–June season)
- Nearest fuel at Freysnes (2 km west of Skaftafell); accommodation at Hótel Skaftafell or the national park campsite
Best Time to Visit Öræfajökull
- April–June: Optimal for Hvannadalshnjúkur summit climbs with most stable snow bridges and longest daylight
- June–August: Peak season for glacier walks on Svínafellsjökull and Falljökull; warmest conditions at lower elevations
- September–October: Glacier walks still available; fewer tourists; autumn light on the ice is spectacular
- November–March: Ice cave tours inside outlet glaciers are the main attraction; glacier walks continue on calm days
- Year-round: Route 1 to Skaftafell is open all year, though winter storms can cause temporary closures
- Always check vedur.is volcanic monitoring before planning any glacier activity near the caldera
Planning help
Öræfajökull FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.