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Bárðarbunga

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Bárðarbunga

HighlandsActiveStratovolcano2010 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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Map of Bárðarbunga

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64.6410°N, 17.5277°W · Highlands

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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

Tours near Bárðarbunga

Ice Climbing Captured in Skaftafellfrom 32.500 ISK · 4 hLaki Craters Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 51.900 ISK · 50 minLandmannalaugar & Highland Wonders Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 67.900 ISK · 1 h 15 minSkaftafell 3 Hour Glacier Walkfrom 17.900 ISK · 3 hRótarfjallshnúkur skiingfrom 64.900 ISK · 10 hLagoons, Glaciers & Colorful Mountains Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 51.900 ISK · 50 minHvannadalshnúkur The Great Withe Onefrom 79.900 ISK · 14 hSkaftafell Glacier Adventurefrom 23.400 ISK · 4 h 30 minBlack Sands & Riverbeds Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 49.900 ISK · 45 min
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ToursIn season nowBlue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavíkfrom 32.990 ISK · 13 h 30 minGolden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Lerki Admissionfrom 23.039 ISK · 9 h 30 minSpirit of the Aurora (28 person max vehicle)from 14.990 ISK · 5 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Bárðarbunga weather and conditions

Last updated

-14°Csnow · feels -22°C9 m/sgusts 149 h 54 mdaylight · 07:58 – 17:53
In season now · Winter in IcelandBlue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavíkfrom 32.990 ISK · 13 h 30 min
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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

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

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −12%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

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

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −12%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

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

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −12%

Photos & videos

Bárðarbunga — photo by Wikimedia Commons · Public domainPhoto: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Tungnafellsjökull21 km
  2. 2Hamarinn22 km
  3. 3Grímsvötn27 km
  4. 4Urðarháls28 km
  5. 5Trölladyngja31 km
All volcanoes in Highlands →

Waterfalls

  1. 1Skínandi59 km
  2. 2Drekafoss62 km
  3. 3Hvítárfoss64 km
All waterfalls →

Hot springs

  1. 1Guðlaug53 km
  2. 2Laugafell57 km
  3. 3Víti59 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Freysnes78 km · 308.6 kr/L
  2. 2Fagurhólsmýri95 km · 310.9 kr/L
  3. 3Kirkjubæjarklaustur97 km · 308.7 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Gvendarkjör98 km
  2. 2Krambúð115 km
  3. 3Bónus118 km
All supermarkets →

Tours

  1. (Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafossfrom 25.300 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
  2. (RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyrifrom 25.900 ISK · 6 hours
  3. A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!from 159.000 ISK · 8 hours
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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.

Data & sources

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

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.

All volcanoes19 volcanoes in Highlands, mapped with photos, distances and live conditions
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10
8°C · overcastWind 2 m/sRing Road (R1) openAurora Kp 2.67Daylight 07:02 – 19:39Webcams