Hekla Volcano

Hekla is one of Iceland’s most famous and historically active volcanoes, an elongated stratovolcano rising to 1,491 metres above the South Iceland plains. It has erupted more than 20 times in recorded history, most recently in 2000, and is considered by volcanologists to be overdue for its next eruption — monitored continuously by sensors that detect any inflationary movement of the magma chamber. In medieval Europe, Hekla was widely believed to be the entrance to Hell, a notion popularised by a 12th-century German monk who wrote that souls of the damned could be seen flying into its flames.

Despite its fearsome reputation, Hekla is approachable on foot and offers one of Iceland’s more unusual hiking experiences. The ascent to the summit ridge follows well-worn trails across hardened lava fields and ash deposits, with increasingly dramatic views back across the Hekla plains and toward Þórsmörk and the South Coast glaciers. The summit area is frequently shrouded in cloud, but on clear days the panorama is exceptional. Several hiking companies offer guided ascents.

Hekla is located about 100 km east of Selfoss, accessed via Route 26 and a mountain track. Because an eruption can occur with very little warning — sometimes as little as 30–60 minutes — hikers are advised to check the Icelandic Met Office website (vedur.is) for alert status before ascending. The approach road and lower slopes are accessible year-round; the summit route is safest in summer.