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Trail E will be closed until 1 pm - other trails open

The fire department needs the E trail for their wildfire mission
26.07.2023
Image: Thrainn Kolbeinsson
Image: Thrainn Kolbeinsson

Hiking trail E will be closed until 1 pm as the fire department needs the trail for reaching the wildfires.

All other hiking trails from the south of the peninsula are open (road no. 427). See map. No trails from the north are open. That includes Keilir.

All hiking trails will be closed at 6 pm today. It is being done for security reasons. While the eruption is ongoing by Mt. Litli Hrútur, the hiking trails will be closed every day at 6 pm.

The road no 248, Vigdísarvellir, will also close at 6 pm. It is for safety reasons.

Hiking trails:

  • The main hiking trail is the E trail - Merardalir (blue). The hike is about 18 km both ways and does not fit everyone. The walk can take up to 5-7 hours.
  • Path A can also be hiked to the eruption site. It is more difficult.
  • Other hiking trails on the map are open.
  • Hikers need to dress according to the weather, bring food and water and fully charged phones. The mobile service is not secure in the whole area.
  • Before heading to the eruption site check the wind directions (the best option is the wind blowing away from the hiking trails) and news updates.
  • See hiking trails here.

First responders:

  • Police officers, first responders, and rangers are in the area for your safety.
  • An ambulance is in the area.

Safety information:

  • It is important to follow the instruction from the Police authorities and first responders at the site at all times. They are there to ensure your safety.
  • A hazard zone has been mapped out, as the eruption site is not safe for further eruption development. More fissures can open in the area and the lava is still running with steaming hot lava falling on the ground around the lava flow at full speed which can be difficult to run away from. Visitors are not allowed to enter the hazard zone.
  • Even though a volcanic eruption is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is dangerous and important to be alerted to any changes.
  • It is not safe to go too close to the eruption site because of the volcanic gases. It becomes more dangerous with less wind.
  • The volcanic gases can be life-threatening when it sets in hollow ground.
  • It is recommended to use gas masks because of the wildfires.
  • It is not recommended to take children to the eruption site.
  • Pregnant women and people with heart or lung diseases are recommended not to go to the eruption site due to possible gas pollution and the smoke from wildfires.
  • Hikers are in the area at their own risk.

Parking:

  • Parking places are at the beginning of the hikes by road no. 427. See maps: PDF or online
  • Use the marked parking places. Do not park the car on the roads.
  • All driving off-road is forbidden.

Other information sites:

Gas and weather forecast: (Valid: 25. July 2023 @21:52 - 26. July 2023 @23:59)

The wind is blowing from the southeast at 8-13 m/s, blowing the volcanic gases to the northwest away from the hiking trails. Tonight it is likely the wind will turn and blow from the east, 3-8 m/s.

Source: The Reykjanes Police Commissioner (26. July 2023 @7.57) and the Icelandic MET office (20. July 2023)