Road 
Weather 
About
The Brennisteinsalda is a volcano in the south of Iceland. Its height is about 855 m.
The landscape around volcanic areas looks stark. Black rock, steam vents, the smell of sulfur. Another planet.
The terrain can be sharp and uneven. Good hiking boots aren't optional, they're essential.
Map of Brennisteinsalda
Map
63.9808°N, 19.1458°W · South Coast
Plan your visit
Elevation- 881 m above sea level
Off the main road- 23.7 km from Route 26
Nearest town- Árnes — 54.3 km away
Distance from Reykjavík- 137 km in a straight line
What else is close- 382 mapped places within 20 km
Tours near Brennisteinsalda
Highlands Hiking: Small Group Landmannalaugar Hike & Hot Springs - Without transferfrom 16.500 ISK · 5 h
Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 h
Solheimajokull Glacier Guided Hiking Small Group Tourfrom 12.299 ISK · 3 h
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Explorationfrom 22.999 ISK · 4 h 30 min
Glacier Explorationfrom 20.999 ISK · 5 h 30 min
Kayaking by the Glacier - Solheimajokullfrom 19.999 ISK · 2 h 30 min
Glacier Hiking Tour - Icelandic Local Guidefrom 38.900 ISK · 10 h
The Zip Line + Glacier Hike Adventurefrom 45.000 ISK · 4 h
Glacier Hike & Horse Riding in South Icelandfrom 25.990 ISK · 6 h
Solheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
Early Bird Ice Cavefrom 25.000 ISK · 3 h 30 min
Laugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and regionBrennisteinsalda weather and conditions
Last updated
0°Cmostly clear · feels -8°C10 m/sgusts 179 h 52 mdaylight · 08:06 – 17:58
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 tours
Cars & campers
−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Transmission
Fuel
Seats
Drive
SleepsPhotos & videos
No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Brennisteinsalda, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1
Bláhnjúkur4 km - 2
Stútur6 km - 3
Torfajökull12 km - 4Laufafell12 km
- 5Rauðaskál22 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
All hot springs →
Fuel
- 1
Hrauneyjar25 km · 315.8 kr/L - 2
Árnes54 km · 310.9 kr/L - 3Kirkjubæjarklaustur58 km · 310.9 kr/L
Supermarkets
Tours
Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experiencefrom 29.300 ISK · 3 hours 
Buggy Adventure in Þórsmörkfrom 89.990 ISK · 5 hours - Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hours
Frequently
asked
questions
Is it safe to visit Brennisteinsalda?
Brennisteinsalda 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 Brennisteinsalda?
Brennisteinsalda is in South Coast. 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 Brennisteinsalda?
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 Brennisteinsalda?
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.
Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Chris 73 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
VegagerðinVisitor 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
Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10