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About
Mælifellshnjúkur is a mountain on the inner western side of Skagafjörður, Iceland. It is 1,138 meters tall, It is one of the most prominent and best-known of Skagafjörður's mountains, towering over those nearby.
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 Mælifellshnjúkur
Map
65.4000°N, 19.3661°W · North Iceland
Plan your visit
Elevation- 1,138 m above sea level
Getting there- Road 756 (Efribyggð-Vesturheiði)
Off the main road- 10.2 km from Route 1
Nearest town- Varmahlíð — 17.3 km away
Distance from Reykjavík- 185 km in a straight line
What else is close- 81 mapped places within 20 km
Tours near Mælifellshnjúkur
Family Rafting (West)from 21.990 ISK · 3 h 30 min
Extreme River Raftingfrom 33.000 ISK · 4 h 30 min
Kayak tripfrom 14.900 ISK · 2 h 15 min
Family River raftingfrom 22.000 ISK · 3 h
Ride & Raftfrom 35.400 ISK · 8 h
Give me 5from 31.000 ISK · 3 h
The Viking-Ride- All in Onefrom 15.000 ISK · 1 h 30 min
River Deltafrom 28.000 ISK · 3 h
Lake Mývatn & Northern Ligths - Winter Combofrom 35.840 ISK · 3 days
Northern Lights 4x4 Tour from Akureyrifrom 34.799 ISK · 2 h 30 min
Lake Mývatn & Snowmobile Tour from Akureyrifrom 59.900 ISK · 9 h
Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoonfrom 26.400 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and regionMælifellshnjúkur weather and conditions
Last updated
-3°Cclear · feels -14°C16 m/sgusts 209 h 50 mdaylight · 08:08 – 17:58
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region
In season now · Winter in IcelandNorthern Lights 4x4 Tour from Akureyrifrom 34.799 ISK · 2 h 30 minAll 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 Mælifellshnjúkur, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1Gígur120 km
- 2
Krafla123 km - 3
Leirhnjúkur124 km - 4
Víti125 km - 5Fremrinámar126 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
All hot springs →
Fuel
- 1
Varmahlíð17 km · 308.7 kr/L - 2
Sauðárkrókur40 km · 310.9 kr/L - 3Sauðárkrókur Borgarflöt40 km · 308.7 kr/L
Supermarkets
Tours
(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafossfrom 25.300 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyrifrom 25.900 ISK · 6 hours 
Adventure snowmobile tour Akureyrifrom 166.750 ISK · 5 hours
Frequently
asked
questions
Is it safe to visit Mælifellshnjúkur?
Mælifellshnjúkur is not currently erupting, and the surrounding area is generally safe to visit on marked trails. Volcanic and geothermal ground can still be unstable or hide gas — stay on the path, and check safetravel.is for any local closures before you drive.
How do I get to Mælifellshnjúkur?
Mælifellshnjúkur is in North Iceland. 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 Mælifellshnjúkur?
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 Mælifellshnjúkur?
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 · Navaro · 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