Hekla
1,491 m
Iceland
Also known as Хекла, Χέκλα, +2Also known as
Хекла · Χέκλα · ჰეკლა · Гекла
- Elevation
- 1,491 m
- Prominence
- 755 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The standard walk up Iceland's most famous volcano: from the end of the drivable track below the north-east ridge, follow tracks and then a marked path up ash, pumice and rough lava past small craters to the twin summit humps. Roughly 7 km and 700–1,000 m of ascent depending on where you park; 3–4 hours up.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +686 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,491 m
- Time Up
- 2h 56m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 04m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Route 26 near Leirubakki, turn onto the F225 (Landmannaleið) opposite Búrfell and follow it to the signed turn for Skjólkvíar/Hekla. Ordinary summer traffic can reach a parking area on the lower north-east flank below the red crater Rauðaskál; a rough 4x4 track continues up the north-east ridge to a higher parking area at about 970 m at the foot of the steep upper slopes, which shortens the walk considerably. From the lower parking, climb steadily on the track and then on a stick-marked path along the north-east ridge. The markers stop short of the summit, but in summer a clear path continues over crumbly lava, compacted ash and pumice and past small flank craters; crossing the lava is the only awkward ground. The summit is formed by two crater-rim humps of almost equal height (the south-western one is higher), with steaming ground and warm patches, and snow often lies on top even in summer. Expect false summits. Sources give 7–8 km and 3½–5 hours from the lower parking (Grapevine) or 3–4 hours (Wikipedia, Perlan); descent is by the same route. Hekla is an active volcano that gives very little warning of eruptions, typically 30–80 minutes of seismic signals and possibly less. The South Iceland police have advised against hiking it, a warning sign stands at the base, and Civil Protection sends an SMS to phones in the area if an eruption is imminent: descend immediately and call 112 once safe. Choose a clear day: in cloud the featureless upper slopes are confusing, and weather on the summit can be severe.
Start
Hekla Low Parking834 m
- No regular public transport to the trailhead; Highland buses to Landmannalaugar run along the F225 in summer but do not serve the Hekla track. Guided tours run from Reykjavík and the Hekla Centre at Leirubakki.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hekla Low Parking → Hekla | 4.8 | 686 | 31 | 2h 56m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Hekla Low Parking834 m
End of the track for ordinary vehicles below the north-east ridge; reached via F225 and the Skjólkvíar/Hekla track
- Parking: Hekla High Parking969 m
End of the 4x4 track on the north-east ridge
- Summit: Hekla1,491 m
Key Passages
- F225 and the Skjólkvíar track
- Marked path on the north-east ridge
- Rough lava crossing
- Twin summit humps (south-western one higher)
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
Iceland's best-known volcano (1,491 m), a long ash-and-lava ridge in the south that has erupted more than 20 times since 1104, most recently in 2000. A straightforward summer walk on paper, but one that police advise against because eruptions can start with less than an hour's warning.
Hekla rises from the lava and tephra plains east of Route 26 in south Iceland, at the edge of the highlands near the Þjórsá valley. It is an elongated fissure volcano shaped like an upturned boat, about 5.5 km long along its main fissure, Heklugjá, with a line of craters along its crest. Its name means a short hooded cloak, perhaps after the cloud that often caps it. From the summit, on a clear day, the view takes in Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, Torfajökull and Landmannalaugar.
The walk itself is simple: a track and marked path up the north-east ridge over pumice, ash and rough lava, 3–4 hours to the top. The summit has two crater-rim humps with steaming and warm ground, and snow on top most of the year.
The serious issue is the volcano. Hekla is overdue by its recent pattern of eruptions roughly every ten years, GPS shows its magma chamber has been refilling, and past eruptions began with only 30–80 minutes of seismic warning, producing ash fall, hot floods and gas within minutes. The mountain is not closed, but the South Iceland police and Civil Protection have advised against hiking it; anyone who goes should understand and accept that risk.
Climbing Notes
Physically this is a moderate day hike: allow 6–8 hours return from the lower parking, less with a 4x4 to the upper parking. Go only in settled, clear weather, carry full wind and rain gear and navigation, and expect snow on the summit. F225 is a highland road suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles and is normally open only in summer; check road status (umferdin.is) and weather (vedur.is) before setting out, and leave a travel plan on safetravel.is.
On the volcanic risk: check the Icelandic Met Office for any unrest before going, keep your phone charged with alerts on, and if you receive an eruption SMS or feel earthquakes, descend immediately away from the summit fissure and call 112 once safe. Several companies run guided summer hikes and winter super-jeep or snowcat trips; spring ski tours around the crater rim are also done.
History
Hekla's VEI-5 eruption of 1104 buried much of Iceland in tephra and made it famous across Europe; Cistercian monks spread the belief that it was the gateway to Hell, which lingered into the 19th century. Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson made the first recorded ascent on 20 June 1750. Major later eruptions include 1947–48 (13 months; ash reached Helsinki), 1970, 1980–81, 1991 and 26 February – 8 March 2000. The Hekla Centre at Leirubakki opened in 2007.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; F225 closed; snowcat or super-jeep tours only
- Mar
- Spring ski tours for experienced, self-sufficient parties
- Apr
- Snow cover; crampons needed; highland roads closed
- May
- Thaw; highland roads usually closed
- Jun
- Highland roads open during June or later; snow on the upper mountain
- Jul
- Main season
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Early snow and storms possible; roads close later in the month or in October
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The South Iceland police and Civil Protection advise against hiking Hekla because an eruption can start with very little warning; a warning sign stands at the base
- Since December 2021 Civil Protection sends SMS warnings to phones in a defined area around Hekla; on receiving one, leave the mountain and call 112 once safe
- F225 is a highland (F) road for four-wheel-drive vehicles, normally open only in summer; off-road driving is prohibited in Iceland
- Getting There
Hella
Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
- Car: Route 1 to Hella, Route 26 past Leirubakki, then F225 (Landmannaleið) and the signed Skjólkvíar/Hekla track
- No scheduled public transport to the trailhead; guided tours run from Reykjavík and Leirubakki
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Volcanic activity