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Iceland

Skútustaðahreppur

Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Dimmuborgir

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Hiking trails & Routes

Iceland

Skútustaðahreppur

Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Dimmuborgir

Easy

4.6

(32)

282

hikers

Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Dimmuborgir

00:45

2.89km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Mývatn og Laxá

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

48 m

Dimmuborgir

Highlight • Natural Monument

Dimmuborgir, also known as the 'dark castles', is a spectacular nature reserve. The area is known for its unique and erratic lava formations that formed during volcanic eruptions about 3,000 years ago. The name 'Dimmuborgir' - dark castles - well reflects the sinister and impressive appearance of the landscape.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

180 m

Yule Lads Cave (Dimmuborgir Troll Cave)

Highlight (Segment) • Cave

Some caves in the area are so large that they could even sleep several people.
The area is surrounded by legends and myths. According to Icelandic folklore, Dimmuborgir is home to a murderous troll Gryla, her third husband and their sons The Yule Lads. The sons return in the snow to give the children presents or rotten potatoes, depending on whether they had behaved well or not.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

304 m

Hallarflöt Lava Formations

Highlight • Natural Monument

Hallarflöt is part of the Dimmuborgir area in North Iceland, known for its unique lava formations. It is a small grassland surrounded by impressive lava peaks and rock formations. Hallarflöt is accessible via several hiking trails in Dimmuborgir, offering visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the area.

One of the hiking trails, the Great Circle (marked in yellow), is approximately 840 meters long and takes you to Hallarflöt in 15-20 minutes. This route is an excellent choice for those who want a shorter walk and still experience the essence of Dimmuborgir.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

371 m

Elf Living Room Cave

Highlight • Cave

Translated by Google •

Tip by

655 m

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

Highlight • Natural Monument

The entire trail is lined with "kissing trolls". We took the blue dashed, which then turns red and then yellow. The blue dashed part is more demanding, but not so crowded. The blue bars always show you the way.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

727 m

Gatklettur

Highlight • Natural Monument

Gatklettur or "hole rock", is a lava gate or indeed a rock with a hole.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.47 km

Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir

Highlight • Cave

Dimmurborgir is an eerie rock labyrinth with peculiar ... caves and domes, e.g. Kirkja (church) were named.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.78 km

Dimmuborgir Lava Formations

Highlight • Natural Monument

Small Circle: 550 meters, a 10 or 15-minute walk. (blue)
Big Circle: 850 meters, a 20-minute walk. (yellow)
Krókastígur: 800 meters, a 40-minute walk. (light blue)
Mellönd Circle: 1200 meters, a 30-minute walk. (green)
Church Circle: 2,400 meters, a 60-minute walk. (red)

Tip by

2.89 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.81 km

813 m

260 m

Surfaces

1.27 km

1.06 km

537 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Saturday 4 July

11°C

4°C

40 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

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Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir

Yule Lads Cave (Dimmuborgir Troll Cave)

Hallarflöt Lava Formations

Elf Living Room Cave

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

Gatklettur

Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir Lava Formations

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