Mt Herðubreið towers over the barren volcanic wastelands north of Vatnajökull glacier. It can be seen from the Ring Road between lake Mývatn and Möðrudalur valley in NE Iceland, and it's easy to see why this majestic mountain is known by Icelanders as The Queen of Icelandic Mountains.
Reaching the summit is a significant challenge, due to the steep cliffs and screes. There is only one accessible hiking trail to the top, up the western slopes fo the mountain. The western slope of Herðubreið can be reached by car from the South East, by a rough trail which runs alongside mt. Herðubreiðartögl, or by foot from Herðubreiðarlindir, a highland oasis east of Herðubreið.
Read more: Stunning video follows hikers to the summit of Herðubreið, the queen of Icelandic mountains
You should NOT rely on google maps when finding these trails. Instead use (printed) local maps. Loftmyndir.is has the best online maps for hiking in Iceland, as these include hiking trails and tracks not visible on Google maps. However, you MUST keep in mind that many roads you see on online maps are NOT suitable for motorized traffic, and certainly not small passenger cars. In addition to local place names, topographical information and detailed aerial photos Loftmyndir.is includes tracks only suitable for especially equipped trucks, as well as many riding and walking trails.
Read more: The best free online maps of Iceland
The hike is challenging, but most experienced hikers who are well prepared can do the trail in 5-6 hours. While you can do the hike with the help of a map, compass and a GPS tracker, it is advisable to go with someone who is familiar with the local terrain and the trail: Anyone who has hiked in Iceland knows that trails appear and disappear, (some of those paths you encounter are actually sheep trails, and those usually lead nowhere, or simply to the next green pasture).
Hiking on Herðubreið requires full mountaineering gear, climbing harness, rope, helmet, an ice axe, trekking poles and crampons.
Mt Herðubreið towers over the barren volcanic wastelands north of Vatnajökull glacier. It can be seen from the Ring Road between lake Mývatn and Möðrudalur valley in NE Iceland, and it's easy to see why this majestic mountain is known by Icelanders as The Queen of Icelandic Mountains.
Reaching the summit is a significant challenge, due to the steep cliffs and screes. There is only one accessible hiking trail to the top, up the western slopes fo the mountain. The western slope of Herðubreið can be reached by car from the South East, by a rough trail which runs alongside mt. Herðubreiðartögl, or by foot from Herðubreiðarlindir, a highland oasis east of Herðubreið.
Read more: Stunning video follows hikers to the summit of Herðubreið, the queen of Icelandic mountains
You should NOT rely on google maps when finding these trails. Instead use (printed) local maps. Loftmyndir.is has the best online maps for hiking in Iceland, as these include hiking trails and tracks not visible on Google maps. However, you MUST keep in mind that many roads you see on online maps are NOT suitable for motorized traffic, and certainly not small passenger cars. In addition to local place names, topographical information and detailed aerial photos Loftmyndir.is includes tracks only suitable for especially equipped trucks, as well as many riding and walking trails.
Read more: The best free online maps of Iceland
The hike is challenging, but most experienced hikers who are well prepared can do the trail in 5-6 hours. While you can do the hike with the help of a map, compass and a GPS tracker, it is advisable to go with someone who is familiar with the local terrain and the trail: Anyone who has hiked in Iceland knows that trails appear and disappear, (some of those paths you encounter are actually sheep trails, and those usually lead nowhere, or simply to the next green pasture).
Hiking on Herðubreið requires full mountaineering gear, climbing harness, rope, helmet, an ice axe, trekking poles and crampons.
