Holuhraun Lava Field
About Holuhraun Lava Field
Holuhraun is a lava field in Iceland's northern Highlands, spread across the plain between Askja and the northern edge of Vatnajökull glacier inside Vatnajökull National Park. Most of what you see today formed in the 2014 to 2015 eruption, when magma from the Bárðarbunga volcano broke the surface along an old fissure last active in 1797. The eruption ran from August 31, 2014, to February 27, 2015.
In just under six months, the fissure poured out about 1.6 cubic kilometers of lava and covered roughly 84 square kilometers, making it Iceland's largest lava eruption in more than 200 years. The new lava is still raw and jagged, with a thin crust that breaks easily underfoot.
Access to Holuhraun is limited to the waymarked trail from the Holuhraun parking area on the northern edge of the lava, a rule the national park sets for visitor safety and to protect the fragile new surface. Do not walk onto the lava anywhere else. Wear sturdy hiking boots, because even the marked trail crosses sharp, uneven rock.
Holuhraun is reached on the F910, about 20 km southwest of the Drekagil ranger station near Askja, and only in summer once the highland roads open. The tracks are rough and remote, so you need a capable 4x4, a full tank and a stop at Drekagil to ask the rangers about current conditions. From Lake Mývatn, plan on about three hours each way, which is why most people pair Holuhraun with a day at Askja.
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Good to know
What is Holuhraun?
Holuhraun is a lava field in the northern Highlands of Iceland, inside Vatnajökull National Park. Most of it formed in the 2014 to 2015 eruption, Iceland's largest lava eruption in more than 200 years.
When did Holuhraun erupt?
The eruption began on August 31, 2014, and ended on February 27, 2015. The magma came from the Bárðarbunga volcanic system beneath Vatnajökull.
Can you walk on the Holuhraun lava field?
Only on the waymarked trail from the Holuhraun parking area. The national park restricts access to that trail because the new lava is fragile and dangerous to cross.
How do you get to Holuhraun?
Take the F910 about 20 km southwest from the Drekagil ranger station near Askja. You need a capable 4x4, and the road is open only in summer.
How big is Holuhraun?
The 2014 to 2015 lava covers roughly 84 square kilometers, with a volume of about 1.6 cubic kilometers.
Can you visit Holuhraun and Askja on the same day?
Yes. Holuhraun is about 20 km from Drekagil, the base for the Askja caldera walk, so many people visit both in one long summer day from Lake Mývatn.
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