Elevation
2,110 meters
Iceland's highest point (Hvannadalshnjúkur).
Oraefajokull (Öræfajökull) Volcano Iceland: Highest Peak Guide
Iceland's largest active volcano at 2,110 meters—home to the country's highest peak, with a catastrophic eruption history and increased seismic monitoring since 2017.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Region
Southeast Iceland
Near Skaftafell. Guided summit climbs available.
Öræfajökull is a colossal ice-covered stratovolcano in southeast Iceland, part of the Vatnajökull ice cap. Its summit, Hvannadalshnjúkur, is Iceland's highest point at 2,110 meters. The volcano's 1362 eruption was among the most devastating in Icelandic history, destroying an entire district and creating the desolate wasteland that gave it its name—Öræfi, meaning "wasteland."
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Summit climbs require experienced guides and proper glacier equipment.
Sources to check
Major eruption
1362 AD
Destroyed Litla-Hérað district completely.
Access
Ring Road / Skaftafell
Guided climbs May–August. 12–15 hours.
What to Expect at Öræfajökull
- Ice-capped stratovolcano: 2,110 m—Iceland's highest peak (Hvannadalshnjukur) on the caldera rim
- Catastrophic 1362 eruption (VEI 6): one of Iceland's most explosive; destroyed Litla-Herad district entirely
- Second confirmed eruption in 1727 caused jokulhlaup flooding but was less destructive
- Increased seismic activity in 2017: geothermal cauldron formed in caldera ice, alert level raised
- Multiple outlet glaciers: Svinafellsjokull, Skaftafellsjokull, and Kotarjokull flow from its slopes
- 12-15 hour guided summit climb via Svinafellsjokull requires crampons, ropes, and crevasse training
- Visible geological features include volcanic ash layers, glacial moraines, and ice-sculpted ridges
Nearby Attractions
- Skaftafell and Svartifoss waterfall
- Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
- Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon
- Skaftafellsjökull glacier hiking trails
How to Get There
- Drive Route 1 (Ring Road) to Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park (~320 km from Reykjavik)
- No F-road required—Skaftafell visitor center and glacier tongue trailheads are off Route 1
- Guided glacier walks on Svinafellsjokull and Skaftafellsjokull depart from Skaftafell area year-round
- Summit climbs to Hvannadalshnjukur require booking with licensed mountaineering guides
- Summit approach typically starts from Sandfell or Svinafellsjokull; full glacier equipment provided by guides
- Standard 2WD car sufficient for reaching Skaftafell; 4WD not needed for the base area
Best Time to Visit
- May to August: summit climbing season; guides operate Hvannadalshnjukur ascents during this window
- June to September: best weather for glacier walks on Svinafellsjokull and Skaftafell hiking trails
- Year-round: glacier walks available in all seasons; ice formations change dramatically between summer and winter
- Winter: stunning ice cave formations in outlet glaciers; northern lights from Skaftafell area
- July: longest days and warmest summit conditions; best probability for clear summit views
- Monitor vedur.is for seismic alerts—elevated monitoring since 2017 geothermal activity in the caldera
Planning help
Öræfajökull FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.