Búrfell through Búrfellsgjá

This route is a short, accessible version of the Búrfellsgjá run, going directly through the lava channel up to the Búrfell crater and back the same way. The route starts at the Búrfellsgjá parking area, where a good information sign describes the route and main landmarks. Búrfellsgjá is a lava channel over 3.5 km long from the Búrfell crater, an isolated spatter and cinder cone that erupted around 8000 years ago. Búrfell, Búrfellsgjá and Selgjá were protected as a natural monument in 2020. You descend timber steps at the Hjalli fault and into the channel, which is narrow with steep walls near the crater but widens onto level ground. Along the way you can see various lava formations, small caves, fissures and faults. There is also Gjáarétt, a stone sheepfold from 1839 protected as an archaeological site in 1964, and Vatnsgjá where shepherds drew water. The surface is a gravel path, easy but rocky in places, with loose scree on the slopes of Búrfell where poles can be useful. The path goes down the Búrfell slope at the back and follows its rim a little way back before returning to the gravel path to the start. The route is about 5.6 km with around 100 metres of ascent.