Volcano Circle Tour - Grindavík Town, Reykjanes Lava Fields and Hot Springs

Join us for a tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula, an area marked by powerful geological activity. You’ll see Iceland’s youngest lava fields and visit the town of Grindavík, where devastating earthquakes split roads, lava flows damaged houses, and residents were forced to evacuate.

During the tour, you’ll explore a geothermal area with numerous hot springs, admire the scenic lake Kleifarvatn, see Iceland’s oldest lighthouse, cross the bridge between continents, and ancient lava fields covered in soft, vibrant moss, all over.

!!! The Reykjanes Peninsula, especially around Grindavík, is currently in an active state. Although lava isn’t flowing at the moment, it’s likely to resume. Should volcanic activity cause area closures, we may need to adjust our itinerary but will stop at the next possible viewpoint to see the eruption, if accessible.

Itinerary

The Lake Kleifarvatn

Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula and a sight to behold. The road along the lake is probably one of the most under rated tourist roads int the country which hugs the lake’s shore. The tall mountains on the other side, make the drive alongside the lake nearly as fun as stopping to admire it from various vantage points. Fun Fact: In the year 2000, Kleifarvatn lost 20% of its water, when a fissure opened after an earthquake. The water drained into the nearby North Atlantic ocean through a subterranean channel. It has since recovered almost entirely.

The Geothermal area Seltún

On the fissure zone between 2 tectonic plates running across Iceland lies the large geothermal area of Krýsuvík. Within this area is Seltún, a geothermal field, where volcanic fumeroles, mud pots and hot springs have formed. The result of the geothermal activity is a landscape seemingly painted bright yellow, red and green; a result of sulfur interacting with the other minerals in the soil.

The Lava Field in Nátthagi

Here you will see the most recent lava fields created by the volcano at Fagradalsfjall. This is the youngest land in Iceland and can sometimes be alive with molten rock and lava.

Grindavík the Fishing Village

Grindavík, a small fishing town on the Reykjanes Peninsula, has faced significant natural disasters in recent months due to ongoing volcanic activity. Since late 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes and eruptions have forced evacuations, damaged infrastructure, and reshaped the landscape. The town remains largely abandoned, with roads split, homes destroyed, and the ground continuing to shift. Despite the devastation, scientists closely monitor the region, and emergency responders work tirelessly to manage the situation. This unfolding event highlights Iceland’s ever-changing nature and the raw power of the forces beneath our feet.

The largest mud pool in Iceland, Gunnuhver

Not far from Grindavik, Gunnuhver is an area of mud pools and steam vents on the very tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. The gases spewing from the ground make the surrounding lava rock into bubbling clay and the water to acid. Gunnuhver is the largest mud pot in Iceland. The area was named after a local ghost, Gunna, who was said to be causing trouble in the area until the local priest trapped her and she fell into the hot spring some 400 years ago. Scary!