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VolcanoHighlands

Bárðarbunga

Highlands, IcelandActiveStratovolcano2010 m

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VolcanoHighlands

Bárðarbunga

Highlands, IcelandActiveStratovolcano2010 m

About

Bárðarbunga, is an active and productive stratovolcano located under Vatnajökull in Vatnajökull National Park which is Iceland's most extensive glacier.

You can feel the heat in some spots. A reminder that Iceland sits on one of Earth's most active volcanic zones.

The second highest mountain in Iceland, 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, Bárðarbunga is also part of the Bárðarbunga-Veiðivötn volcanic system that is approximately 190 kilometres (120 mi) long and 25 kilometres (16 mi) wide..

Follow marked paths in active geothermal areas. The ground can be unstable or concealing scalding water beneath a thin crust.

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Plan your visit to Bárðarbunga

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Map of Bárðarbunga

Bárðarbunga is in the Highlands, Iceland at 64.6410°N, 17.5277°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

Open Bárðarbunga on the interactive map →

Plan your visit

Elevation: 2,010 m above sea level
Distance from Reykjavík: 219 km in a straight line
What else is close: 36 mapped places within 20 km

Bárðarbunga weather and conditions

At Bárðarbunga in Highlands, conditions as of 1 September 2026, 07:15 (Iceland time): -9°C (feels like -15°C), mostly clear, wind 5 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 45 m (sunrise 05:48, sunset 20:33). Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 1 September 2026, 07:15· source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility —

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Highlands Reykjavík South Coast West North East Westfjords Reykjanes

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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation

KEF airport pickup 24/74.8

SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic

12,750 kr15,000 kr/day

Reserve −12%

Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

Tours near Bárðarbunga

Free cancellation

Small groups

Sightseeing

(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss

Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area are an absolute must if you're exploring the North!

Duration6 hours 30 minutes

HighlightsNorth Iceland

(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri

Discover the wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide.

Duration6 hours

HighlightsNorth Iceland

A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!

Embark on a private adventure through the Golden Circle with Northern Adventurer.

Duration8 hours

HighlightsReykjavík area

Photos & videos

Bárðarbunga — photo by Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Bárðarbunga, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Reviews

Frequently
asked
questions

Is it safe to visit Bárðarbunga?

Bárðarbunga is listed as an active volcano. Whether you can approach it depends entirely on current conditions — during an eruption, authorities set an exclusion zone and you must never cross a closure line. Check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Met Office (vedur.is) before you go, and follow all official instructions on site.

How do I get to Bárðarbunga?

Bárðarbunga is in Highlands. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland access often needs a 4×4 and some routes only open in summer.

Can I hike Bárðarbunga?

It depends on the volcano and current activity. Some Icelandic cones have short marked trails to the rim; others sit under glaciers or in closed areas and cannot be climbed without a guide. Never approach an active eruption unless the official viewing area is open — conditions change fast.

What should I know about volcanic gas near Bárðarbunga?

Volcanic and geothermal areas can release sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, which are toxic in high concentrations and collect in low-lying spots. Stay on marked paths, leave immediately if you smell strong sulphur or feel unwell, and check the Met Office gas forecasts during any eruption.

Nearby

km column = your drive

Waterfalls

#1.Skínandi

59 km·~71 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands.

#2.Drekafoss

62 km·~75 min drive

A waterfall in North Iceland.

#3.Hvítárfoss

64 km·~77 min drive

A waterfall in South Coast.

#4.Núpsárfoss

64 km·~77 min drive

A waterfall in South Coast.

4 waterfalls near Highlands

Hot Springs

#1.Guðlaug

53 km·~64 min drive

New seaside hot pot on Langisandur beach in Akranes. Ocean views.

#2.Laugafell

57 km·~69 min drive

Pool hot spring

#3.Víti

59 km·~71 min drive

Water hot spring

#4.Víti Askja

59 km·~71 min drive

Volcanic crater lake at Askja. Highland destination, not always safe for bathing - check…

4 hot springs near Highlands

Campsites

#1.Nýidalur

28 km·~34 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#2.Kverkfjöll / Sigurðarskáli

44 km·~53 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#3.Laugafell

57 km·~69 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#4.Drekaskáli

63 km·~75 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

4 campsites near Highlands

Supermarkets

#1.Gvendarkjör

98 km·~117 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#2.Krambúð

115 km·~138 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#3.Bónus

118 km·~141 min drive

Bónus supermarket — supplies

#4.Fisk Kompaní

118 km·~141 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near Highlands

Gas stations

#1.Freysnes

78 km·~94 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#2.Fagurhólsmýri

95 km·~114 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Kirkjubæjarklaustur

97 km·~117 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#4.Hrauneyjar

98 km·~117 min drive

Olís · 315.8 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near Highlands

Tours

#1.(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss

6 hours 30 minutes

Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area are an absolute must if you're exploring the North!

from 25.300 ISKView tour →

#2.(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri

6 hours

Discover the wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide.

from 25.900 ISKView tour →

#3.A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!

8 hours

Embark on a private adventure through the Golden Circle with Northern Adventurer.

from 159.000 ISKView tour →

3 tours near Highlands

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
OpenStreetMapVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community