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About
Öræfajökull is an ice-covered volcano in south-east Iceland. The largest active volcano and the highest peak in Iceland at 2,110 metres (6,920 ft), it lies within the Vatnajökull National Park and is covered by part of the glacier.
You can feel the heat in some spots. A reminder that Iceland sits on one of Earth's most active volcanic zones.
Follow marked paths in active geothermal areas. The ground can be unstable or concealing scalding water beneath a thin crust.
Map of Öræfajökull
Map
64.0199°N, 16.6473°W · South Coast
Plan your visit
Elevation- 2,110 m above sea level
Off the main road- 11.3 km from Route 1
Nearest town- Höfn — 74 km away
Distance from Reykjavík- 258 km in a straight line
What else is close- 275 mapped places within 20 km
Tours near Öræfajökull
Rótarfjallshnúkur skiingfrom 64.900 ISK · 10 h
Glacier Kayaking Icelandfrom 17.500 ISK · 1 h 30 min
Skaftafell Beyond The Limit - 6 hour Adventurefrom 25.419 ISK · 6 h
Skaftafell 5-Hours Adventure Glacier Hikefrom 20.775 ISK · 5 h
Vatnajökull Premium Ice Cave Tourfrom 25.900 ISK · 3 h 30 min
Fjallsárlón - Iceberg boat tourfrom 11.300 ISK · 45 min
Skaftafell ATV two hour sightseeingfrom 25.283 ISK · 2 h
Skaftafell ATV one hour sightseeingfrom 19.633 ISK · 1 h
Full Day on Vatnajökull Adventurous Glacier Exploration Hikefrom 49.900 ISK · 7 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 regionÖræfajökull weather and conditions
Last updated
-7°Csnow · feels -17°C14 m/sgusts 239 h 52 mdaylight · 07:56 – 17:48
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 Öræfajökull, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1
Skerhóll27 km - 2
Laki77 km - 3
Eldgjá96 km - 4
Maelifell115 km - 5
Torfajökull116 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
All hot springs →
Fuel
- 1Freysnes13 km · 308.6 kr/L
- 2
Fagurhólsmýri15 km · 310.9 kr/L - 3
Kirkjubæjarklaustur73 km · 308.7 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 Öræfajökull?
Öræfajökull 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 Öræfajökull?
Öræfajökull 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 Öræfajökull?
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 Öræfajökull?
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 · 24dakenlo @ Mapillary · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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
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Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10