Eldfell
5
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
89 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
18
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0
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0
Terrible
0
Nadina P
New York City, NY338 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
We didn't have much time to hike on our own as we were on a group tour, but we got to see a bit of this. Like much of Iceland, it's absolutely stunning. I don't think I saw anything in Iceland that I would advise against doing. If you are so lucky to go, make the most of your time there.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CambridgeMike
Cambridge, Massachusetts1,813 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Hiking to the top of a volcanic cone and looking out over the town of Heimaey was one of the highlights of our trip. There is a lot of loose gravel on the trail, so wear sturdy shoes and go slow on the descent. There are no guardrails, and the top is about 650 above sea level, so if you are afraid of heights or the winds are strong this is not the best hike for you. It is hard to believe that you are standing on a volcano that erupted in 1973; there's still very little plant growth on the peak; just lots of loose red and grey stone. You will get good views of the lava field that expanded the island's footprint by 20% and nearly closed off the harbor. Pair a hike of Eldfell with a visit to the Eldheimar museum just below it to get a good sense of what happened during the eruption. If you are a reasonably fit walker there is no need for a guided tour; the paths up are well troden. We walked up the volcano from the gravel parking area in the valley between Eldfell and Helgafell.
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda5519
Loveland, CO9 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
When I entered “herjolfur (harbor) to Eldfell” on Google Maps, a highlighted route on the east side of the island appeared. It was a 2.7 km route that wound its way past the Heimaey Stave Church to a point where a dotted line hiking trail led to the top. It looked straight forward, plus the road was the same color and size on the map as the other roads in town. The road started out paved, then past the church it turned into a narrow, rutted, lava stone track. We crept along, hoping not to pop the skinny tires on our subcompact, 2-wheel drive rental car. At one point, along the road, people have planted discarded tires that look like tombstones in a tire cemetery. We got a chuckle out of it, but it was also a good warning to us. At the end of the road, we parked and hiked the rest of the way to the top. When we got to the top, we could see a proper paved road on the west side with a parking area at a trailhead and lines of folks walking up from that side. I'm sure that's the route our rental car company would have preferred we had taken. All worked out fine, but we wanted others driving small cars to know. Heimaey is well worth the trip. The ferry ride over was lovely, loading the car on was easy, stopping at the Stave Church area was beautiful and informative, and the new Eldheimar Museum on the island is a must-see. We thoroughly enjoyed our day -- all the more so since we returned our rental car with four intact tires!
Written October 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcMich
Hasselt, Belgium915 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
From the start of the hiking path to the top of the volcano there's about 200m height difference. Not too much, so you don't need to be top fit to get there. Nonetheless, be prepared with hiking shoes, right clothing in function of the weather (and even in summer I'd suggest to have a cap, windbreaker clothes, gloves) and water.
At the end of the ascend you'll be rewarded with views from the top and crest of the volcano (which erupted in 1973 - the Eldheimar museum is about this volcano!) reaching up the Iceland mainland.
When we went up it was very windy, and on the crest you really had to be careful not to be blown away! So take care when going up.
At the end of the ascend you'll be rewarded with views from the top and crest of the volcano (which erupted in 1973 - the Eldheimar museum is about this volcano!) reaching up the Iceland mainland.
When we went up it was very windy, and on the crest you really had to be careful not to be blown away! So take care when going up.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wags63
Epsom, UK479 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Turning left from the ship harbour, go to the information centre where they will provide you with a useful map and direct you to the steps that start the climb to Eldfell. It isn't exactly a climb, but a steep scenic gravel path to the crater rim where you have views across the whole island and also over to Surtsey and the mainland in a clear day. It also gives you a true sense of the size and power of the volcano and ten extent of the lava field. It is easy to walk to from the harbour although those less fit can pick up coach tours that stop near the top. Along the crater rim at the top, there are some narrow bits , not for those with vertigo, but the rest is perfect and a real highlight of our day on the island.
Written August 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcelo_EG
Sao Paulo106 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We went to Vestmannaeyar to climb the volcano Eldfell. It was the site of an eruption that destroyed part of the city and threatened to cover most of it in lava in 1973. The population dug ditches with bulldozers and pumped millions of gallons of seawater to fight and win the battle against the pouring lava.
There are many trails, and one cannot be sure which to take. All are challenging and if you're afraid of heights it can be scary. A lot of people reach the summit though.
There are other attractions on this small island, but they must be arranged for earlier, since the local tour guide companies are fully booked in the early afternoon and close at around 5PM. Boat rides around the islands and Puffin seeing expeditions are done through these tour guides.
The volcano hike can be done on your own.
If you have the time, sleep over, and note that the ferry can be late or even cancelled due to sea conditions.
There are many trails, and one cannot be sure which to take. All are challenging and if you're afraid of heights it can be scary. A lot of people reach the summit though.
There are other attractions on this small island, but they must be arranged for earlier, since the local tour guide companies are fully booked in the early afternoon and close at around 5PM. Boat rides around the islands and Puffin seeing expeditions are done through these tour guides.
The volcano hike can be done on your own.
If you have the time, sleep over, and note that the ferry can be late or even cancelled due to sea conditions.
Written October 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NCTraveler27312
Pittsboro, NC73 contributions
Jul 2018
This was definitely on our list of must-do for our visit to Heimaey. It's not a terrible uphill climb - we took our time and plenty of folks scampered by. The top was windy and fairly populated, but it really gave a great view of the town and harbor and the extent of the lava flow from the 1973 eruption. Plenty of folks were around to ask for photos of the summit.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M W
Sarasota, FL194 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Arrived here in late April, and it seems to be the in between time. A tour company could not commit to doing a tour that day because not enough people had arrived on the islands. We set out on our own, and we made it to the top. Descriptions show it as an easy walk. We are in our early 50's, and we knew better. It does require some physical stamina going up, and sure feet on the way down. We did see an assortment of people, from 2 small children and their mother to 20 and 30 somethings. Views are amazing, and if you enjoy history, the concept that the eruption a mere 40 years ago added the additional space on the island, as well as you are climbing now it. A cool rush. Up and back with viewing at different levels and taking pictures took us about 1.5 hours.
Written April 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanPP
Bolton, UK110 contributions
Aug 2015
An easy climb for the kids and a great view of the island from the top. There are areas at the top that are still warm/hot which reminded us that we were on a real life volcano. It's easy to park and the climb up took less than half and hour.
Written September 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Saint Paul, MN293 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This was a great hike with a fantastic view. Great photo opportunities on top. A moderate challenge to ascend.
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J R
12 contributions
How rugged is the hike? My mum is older, yet active, agile. Is the hike do-able?
J R
12 contributions
Hello,
How rugged would you say the climb is to the top of Eldfell? My Mum and I are going in August. She is in her 80's, yet very agile, golfs, walks regularly, lives independently. I know we could always, stop or turn around. For those experienced with the hike, do you think it is do-able?
Thank you for your time.
Bonjour, voit-on toujours les maisons partielkement englouties sous l'épaisse couche de lave et de cendre au pied de l'Eldfell?
samantha_walker1
Canada9 contributions
Hello - did you have to take a ferry to get to Eldfell? I wasn't able to find more information about how to get there.
Thanks!!
Roncau
France633 contributions
Oui il est obligatoire de prendre le ferry ou un vol depuis l’aéroport de Reykjavík.
Attention aéroport du centre ville et non à Keflavík.
Prix des vols 100 euros par personne le bateau 10 euros.
samantha_walker1
Canada9 contributions
Thanks for your review - how long did it take you to hike up to Eldfell?
Brad B
Yankton, South Dakota, United States30 contributions
How long would it take to walk from the harbor? I was thinking about leaving my car and just walking to Eldfell, or would taking my car be the better way to go?
Escape788832
10 contributions
I imagine you've long gone & come back, but for other travellers - leave your car, from the harbor to the summit and back will maybe take you 2 hours max giving you some leeway to get lost, read signs, stop to take photos. About 30 minutes of that will be active steep climbing on a loose gravel path.
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Claim your listingEldfell - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Eldfell
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Eldfell:
- Puffin and Volcano Tour in Vestmannaeyjar - Guided by Ebbi (From $94.31)
- Private Westman islands day tour (From $958.64)
- Westman islands private tour - Puffin colony and so much more (From $1,393.65)
- Volcano ATV Tour (From $110.40)
- Highlights of Vestmannaeyjar - Guided by Ebbi (From $94.31)
- Hotels near Eldfell:
- (0.85 mi) Hotel Vestmannaeyjar
- (0.53 mi) Gabriel Guesthouse
- (0.88 mi) Aska Hostel
- (1.03 mi) Guesthouse Hamar
- (0.92 mi) Hotel Eyjar
- Restaurants near Eldfell:
- (0.88 mi) Gott
- (0.83 mi) Einsi Kaldi
- (1.12 mi) Slippurinn
- (1.11 mi) Naes
- (1.06 mi) Tanginn
Eldfell Information
Excellent Reviews | 71 |
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Very Good Reviews | 18 |
Eldfell Photos | 126 |