New eruption - new lava! Important information
Important information for travellers looking into hiking to the eruption site.
04.08.2022
Picture from eruption site July 3rd. Picture by H0rdur
An eruption started again in Mt. Fagradalsfjall yesterday (August 3, 2022) in the valley of Meradalir, just north of the previous eruption from 2021.
The eruption is similar to last year's eruption in many ways and draws the attention of travellers, media and more. However easy it might sound, the location is further inland in the mountain area and travellers thinking of hiking towards it need to keep that in mind.
Important to keep in mind before visiting the site:
- Dresscode and equipment: Make sure you have the right equipment for the hike and dress according to weather and weather forecasts. Be mindful that the weather conditions can change fast, have good snacks/food with you, and appropriate shoes this is hard territory so good hiking boots are necessary, and a headlamp and a fully charged mobile phone. Safetravel has put together a good list of equipment and clothing.
- Check the weather forecast: The best way to the eruption site depends on the wind direction and weather each time so please follow the recommendations of the police and search and rescue teams. Press here for the wind and weather forecast.
- There is gas pollution in the area and it could gather together in valleys, where the land is lower than other parts of the land around. It is necessary to avoid the smoke from the eruption since it is very polluted and could cause very serious illness and even fatalities.
- The “old” lava from the previous volcano (2021) is still very hot and fragile and dangerous to walk on. PLEASE DON´T WALK ON IT. Your safety can not be guaranteed.
- Choose the hiking trail: The hike to the new eruption site is a minimum of 7 km (approximately 4,5 miles) one way with an incline of about 300 meters (0,2 miles) so the route there and back is about 14 km (9 miles). The route is on very hard terrain and up very steep hills close to the crater. The hike itself can take around 4-5 hours at least (see the map here).
- The hike to the sightseeing platform where the crater is visible is about 5 km (3 miles) one way, it is best to park your car at parking lot #1 and hike route A and continue over the terrain, towards the new eruption site (see the map here).
- Paths are being marked for the route to make it as safe and accessible as possible (GPS coordinates coming shortly).
- Choose the parking place: Leave your car in a marked parking lot, not on the side of the road, there is enough parking for everyone. Note: There is a parking fee. (See the map for parking).
- Driving outside marked trails is forbidden.
- Follow instructions from the local authorities and the ICE-SAR members on site. The area could be closed with short notice.
And finally, be extremely careful and enjoy the magnificent experience of seeing a new land in the making.