Valahnúkar and Búrfellsgjá

This is a varied trail run through historic lava landscape above Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær, linking several of the area's most remarkable natural features. The route starts at the Búrfellsgjá parking area. From there you run along paths and a bridleway to the parking area at Kaldársel, near Hafnarfjörður's water source at Kaldárbotnar. The route passes the water source along the path up towards Helgafell, but instead of climbing the mountain it continues between Helgafell and Valahnúkar. Valahnúkar is a tuff ridge north of Helgafell, and the route runs around it. Then it takes a right turn and crosses enjoyable lava fields until reaching the back of Búrfell and Búrfellsgjá. Búrfell is an isolated spatter and cinder cone that erupted around 8000 years ago, producing Búrfellshraun, the lava field underlying many neighbourhoods in Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær. You climb up onto Búrfellsgjá to enjoy the view; it is a lava channel over 3.5 km long from the crater. Búrfell, Búrfellsgjá and Selgjá were protected as a natural monument in 2020. You then run down Búrfellsgjá and follow a good path back to the parking area where the route began. Búrfellsgjá also holds notable cultural remains: Gjáarétt, a stone-built sheepfold from 1839 protected as an archaeological site in 1964, and Vatnsgjá. The surface is mixed lava, gravel flats, bridleways and gravel paths, rocky in places. The route is about 12 km with around 150 metres of ascent. Take care due to fissures, especially when snow covers them.