Reykjanes entered a new period of volcanic activity in 2021, expected to continue for the coming decades, possibly hundreds of years. The latest eruption ended on 9 December but recently, there has been something more brewing below the surface, seemingly looking for a way out.

The first three eruptions in this ongoing period of volcanic activity attracted a lot of visitors. A car park was created and some additional infrastructure to make the first eruption more easily accessible for hikers and it could also be used for later eruptions in the area. ICE-SAR volunteers from Grindavík and the capital area were present to assist visitors that got injured on the route or were in danger. 

The fourth eruption, in December 2023, happened closer to the town of Grindavík. Around five weeks before the eruption, Grindavík was evacuated due to strong earthquakes that had been gradually increasing in scope since October that year. These caused damages to infrastructure and people’s homes, large cracks opened up on the surface and roads and pipes broke. In January, the fifth eruption took place, partly in town and destroying at least three houses. The fourth eruption was the first one to pose danger to people and damage infrastructure. At this moment, it remains unclear when or whether it will be feasible for people to live in Grindavík again. The town has been closed to the public for the most part since late 2023 for safety reasons but opened again in early November last year.

Below, we take a closer look at options to explore the Reykjanes peninsula, including volcano hiking options in the area as well as tours and provide an overview of the eruptions since the active period started in 2021.

Volcano Hike in Reykjanes

The route to the first volcanic eruption in 2021 in Geldingadalir and Fagradalsfjall is still open and marked. It is a pleasant hike of easy to medium difficulty that takes approximately two hours each way. The route was very popular among locals back when the eruption took place, and it felt like every other Icelander went for a hike there, experienced hikers as well as people who had never hiked before and showed up in sneakers, expecting it to be a piece of cake. This was during the pandemic and there was a rope handle at the first elevation part which got the nickname “the covid rope” as people held on to it and suspected it to be the biggest local source of the virus back then.

On this hike, you can see clearly how the eruption changed the landscape, with large black lava fields added and filling up entire valleys. Moss takes at least four to ten years to grow in lava fields and can take much longer, depending on conditions.

There are several private volcano hiking tours available in Reykjanes. This one includes pickup from your hotel in an electric Mercedes EQV before heading towards Fagradalsfjall. Your guide will explain how the event unfolded and the geological happenings. As you arrive, you will have the opportunity to get up close with the newly formed volcanic crater where lava was spewing out for 3-4 months. Surrounding lava fields, smoking and still emitting heat from the previous eruption, create a surreal landscape. The hike to the viewpoint takes around 1-2 hours and reveals the immense scale of the eruption. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to take photos. 

The second eruption of the period was in nearby Meradalir in 2022 and you can also get a view of these lava fields on the tour. 

Another private volcano hiking tour explores Fagradalsfjall as well as Krýsuvík/Seltún hot springs. First stop is Krýsuvík and Seltún hot springs with colorful mountain sides. 

Next stop is Fagradalsfjall for the hike, 45 minutes to the viewpoint to see the crater and the volcano left behind. You can end the day by unwinding in the Blue Lagoon (an optional extra) before returning to Reykjavík. 

The third tour we suggest you here includes Fagradalsfjall volcano, Seltún geothermal area, Brimketill sea pools, Gunnuhver hot spring, Reykjanes lighthouse and the Bridge Between Continents, covering the highlights of the peninsula pretty well in just one day.

For more inspiration, check out this article about hiking in Iceland

Eruptions in Reykjanes Since 2021

So far since 2021 until today (21 March 2025), there have been 10 eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula, listed below:

As stated in the beginning, the next eruption is considered likely to start very soon, could be in the next few days.

Day Tours in Reykjanes

There are several other ways to explore the peninsula other than hiking. You could go for an ATV tour, jeep excursion, The Lava Tunnel or a helicopter tour. 

Lava Beach ATV Tour & Blue Lagoon includes pickup in Reykjavík before heading out to the Blue Lagoon to change buses and meet the ATV guides. The ATV base is located a 5 minutes drive from the Blue Lagoon. The ATV excursion starts by driving towards the mountain Festarfjall and then back to the sandy beach called Seltangar. There, you get off the bike to explore old ruins on the beach. Then back on the ATV for more mountain safari. Then the guides will bring you back to the Blue Lagoon, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon or take the next available Reykjavík Excursions bus back to Reykjavík.

Reykjanes Peninsula jeep excursion takes you to Kleifarvatn (a lake with barren shores and the setting for one of Iceland’s most famous crime novels by Arnaldur Indriðason), Seltún geothermal area, Grænavatn lake, Stóra and Litla Eldborg (naturally shaped craters),  Krísuvíkurberg (shelter of several species of birds), Gunnuhver hot spring, Valahnúkar, The Bridge Between Continents, Sog (colorful gorge) and a surprise!

The Lava Tunnel is your chance to explore the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland, following the path of lava that flowed during the Leitarhraun eruption 5200 years ago. Dreamlike shapes and colors await you during the hour-long tunnel visit, 900 meters into the earth. 

On the Volcano Eruption helicopter tour, you can experience magnificent views of the latest volcanic eruptions in Iceland. You will start the trip from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, before seeing the mindblowing changes to the landscape, caused by the eruptions of the past few years.

Our previous coverage of the ongoing volcanically active period in Reykjanes:

• 9 Surprising Facts About the Reykjanes Eruption (June 2021)
• How to Get to the Reykjanes Eruption (June 2021)
• One More Eruption in Reykjanes (May 2024)
• Reykjanes Eruption in 2023 (July 2023)
• Iceland Prepares for Another Eruption on Reykjanes (November 2023)
• How to See the 2023 Volcano Eruption in Iceland? (July 2023)
• How to Get to Meradalir Eruption (August 2022)
• There’s a Volcanic Eruption 20 Minutes Away From Reykjavík (March 2021)
• Volcano Helicopter Tour in Iceland (May 2024)
• Is it Safe to Travel to Iceland? Yes, Here’s Why (August 2024)
• Which Volcano Is Next? These 3 Icelandic Volcanoes Are Ready to Rumble (May 2021)
• Meradalir Eruption – Who, What, Where, When and Why (August 2022)
• A Hike to Meradalir Volcano in Iceland (August 2022)
• Is a New Eruption Imminent? (August 2022)
• Post-Pandemic Iceland – Travel Tips and Info (June 2021)
• Lava Threatens to Sever Road (August 2022)