Hverir and Namafjall

Located in the Lake Myvatn region with its countless tourist attractions, there is one site you can't miss, Namafjall - Hverir.

Very easy to get to, about 6 kilometers from the small town of Reykjavlíð, Námafjáll is the name of a mountain and at its foot lies Hverir, also called Hverarönd, one of the most fascinating geothermal fields in the country.

• Hverir and Namafjall
• Hverir: a land of stunning contrast

Hverir and Namafjall

Getting there couldn't be easier since the site is located along Road number 1 so you won't need to rent a 4x4 vehicle to get there. A paid car park (from around 1,400 ISK per day for a car, payable via the EasyPark app, the QR code or the pay station on site; access to the site itself remains free) just near Hverarönd, and even as you're parking you will see fumaroles and catch the sharp smell of sulphur as you step out.

Note: the car park is no longer free. Expect to pay from 1,400 ISK for a car (the rate depends on the vehicle category), at the pay machine on site by card or with the EasyPark app / the QR code on the signs. Access to the geothermal field itself remains free.

The sulphurous aroma is particularly strong here, which can be explained by the high level of activity underfoot, as the magma chamber of this system is only a few kilometers below the Hverir site. This magma chamber is the source of all these fumaroles, vapors and other spectacular phenomena.

Despite the sharp smell on the air, one does get used to it so take your time and enjoy a good hour there to see all the best parts.

Facilities on site are very limited: no café, visitor centre or drinking water, and no bins (take your rubbish with you). Some guides mention paid toilets, but it is best not to count on them and to stop in Reykjahlíð, a few kilometres away, for fuel, food and shops. Also wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy, as the clay sticks and stains.

Hverir: a land of stunning contrast

The Hverir site features almost all the phenomena typical of volcanic landscapes: solfatares, mud pots, fumaroles...

It's an impressive lunar landscape, the colors of Námafjáll's slopes like a gradient from ocher to sulfur yellow, jet black lava to earthy gray, with a few isolated patches of green moss that seem to glow under a blue sky.

A smoky mist hangs over everything with the powerful smell of sulfur. A small path navigates the site safely, weaving between the bubbling mudpots.

There are danger zones when approaching certain mudpots that reach temperatures over 80°, and it is strongly recommended not to venture off marked trails as the soil is cracked and fragile in places.

These mud pots are in fact formed by rainwater, which then seeps into the ground to be heated and charged with gas and sulfuric acid. Not the type of clay mask you want anywhere near you.

When the rainwater infiltrates the many minerals, it finally transforms the cracked earth into clay and mud. The steam from some fumaroles can reach 100 °C, and the temperature of the ground itself can rise to over 80 °C in places.

It would be a shame not to take the short and relaxed hiking trail that takes less than an hour to reach the top of Námafjáll. From here you command an extraordinary panoramic view of the Myvatn region, and especially this otherworldly geothermal field at the foot of the mountain.

The trail is a marked loop of about 2.5 km starting at the edge of the geothermal field, from either the northwest or southwest corner, and takes around an hour. The climb is steep and the ground loose in places, and it gets slippery when wet, so wear good shoes and bring a windproof jacket, as it can be breezy at the top (the summit is at 490 m). In winter, snow and ice call for proper winter gear. From the summit you can see Lake Myvatn, the Hverfjall crater and the Dimmuborgir lava field.

The place is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the Myvatn region so don't miss your chance to see it.

When to visit Hverir

The site is accessible all year round and has no closing time. Summer is the easiest season (clear roads, dry paths, long days) but also the busiest: aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tour buses and enjoy softer light.

In winter the steam stands out beautifully against the snow, but days are short, paths can be slippery and road conditions can change quickly, so check the weather and road reports before setting out.

Given its location, many tourists choose to schedule a pit-stop on the way to the Leirhnjukur - Viti area to relax in the famous Myvatn Nature Baths.

To extend your day, the Krafla volcano and its Víti crater are very close, as are Grjótagjá, the Dimmuborgir lava field and the Hverfjall crater.