When you’re staying in Reykjavík, you shouldn’t just stay in the city itself. As the city is pretty small, you’re always within an easy reach of nature. Especially if you are driving a rental.
The bright summer evenings in Iceland are ideal to use for an evening walk or an easy hike in nature. So refreshing after spending the day in the city. The best way to recharge your batteries if you ask me.
Popular & Easy Hike Among the Locals
Heiðmörk is the name of a popular recreational area in the outskirts of the capital area. This lava covered and partly forested area is a big favourite among the locals for hiking, running, cycling and horseback riding on its numerous trails.
In the middle of Heiðmörk is a volcano called Búrfell and you can hike to the top of its crater. The trail leading to the crater runs through Búrfellsgjá, the path the lava flowed from Búrfell about 8000 years ago.
This is a popular family hike among the locals. Most of it is on a good marked trail and straight forward. It’s only on the top of the crater where you really need to watch your step and be careful. To stand on the top is pretty cool and in spite of the low elevation (about 60m/200ft) the view from there is surprisingly good in all directions.
The hike to and from the crater is an easy hike with no elevation and about 6 km/3.7 mi. It starts at a parking lot with the GPS location N 64°02.8248′ W 021°51.2800′.
The walk to the crater isn’t particularly diverse but about midway there is a pretty cool old style sheep corral. These are remains from the days when this area was used by sheep farmers. It was quite convenient as it had some small caves here and there where the sheep could find refuge from the Icelandic weather that often is a bit brutal.
A Colourful Volcanic Crater
It’s when you get closer to the crater that it gets really interesting. The lava walls on each side get much closer to each other and you walk along a narrow path with really beautiful lava formations in the walls. Something worth paying attention to.
When you reach the top, you can walk all the way around the crater. In my opinion this is the best part of the hike. The colours are so beautiful and you’ll see the crater and the lava formations from different angles which really adds to the experience. Just be very careful when you start to go down again. You’ll be walking on some loose gravel/lava and therefore can easily stumble and hurt yourself.
When you have walked all the way around the crater, you’ll have reached the narrow part of the path again and will be able to walk the same way back to your car.
Good Recipe for a Enjoyable Summer Evening in Reykjavík
This easy hike back and forth takes about 1,5 – 2 hours. Depending on your walking speed and how many and long photo stops you will make on the way. As I said before, it’s an easy hike as there’s almost no elevation. You’ll still get a great view from the top and see some stunning lava formations and colours. Of course you can do this hike any time of the day but if you’re visiting in summer, why not take an evening walk and enjoy the Icelandic bright summer night?
Afterwards you can even add a visit to one of the many swimming pools in the capital area. Some of them are open to 9 or even 10 o’clock in the evenings on weekdays. The perfect combo. A walk or a hike in beautiful nature followed by some relaxation in a hot tub and/or a sauna. A perfect end to a good day if you ask me.
But of course you can do this hike in the fall or winter too. Then during the day as it gets too dark in the evenings. I recommend doing it when there is no snow as then you can enjoy the colours in the environment. I think they are too big of a part of the experience to be missed.
Interested in Joining Me on this Hike?
I’ve taken a group of people with me on this hike. That will be happening again on an irregular basis in the future. If you’re interested in joining me, follow Siggadottir on Facebook. I’ll put in events there when I invite people to join me on short and easy hikes close to Reykjavík.
Virtual Treadmill Run
Or maybe you’d like to go on a virtual run in this area? Here is a video on YouTube that takes you on a virtual treadmill run to this exact volcanic crater. It starts a bit further away than the hike in this post so it’s a bit longer but it includes the whole hike.
You’ll also find some more treadmill videos from Icelandic nature on this YouTube channel. The perfect way to add a little bit of Iceland to your daily workout 🙂
You’ll find this YouTube channel here.Do you have any questions about this hike? Or do you possibly have something you’d like to add to the post? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section down below.
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Until next time!
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