Herðubreið

Herðubreið is a 1,682-metre-high table mountain located north of Vatnajökull glacier. It rises from the Ódáðahraun lava field and is often referred to as the “Queen of Icelandic Mountains” due to its striking and elegant shape. The mountain was formed during a volcanic eruption beneath a glacier, and lava layers on its summit show that the eruption eventually broke through the ice. Such mountains, composed of hyaloclastite with lava layers on top, are known as table mountains, and nearby lie the lush Herðubreiðarlindir.

The surroundings of Herðubreið are harsh yet magnificent, characterized by vast lava fields, craters, and fissures. Close to the mountain are the Herðubreiðarlindir, a fertile spring area that has been an important resting place for travelers for centuries. Camping is also popular here, and one can find an area often referred to as Skínandi Campsite, where visitors enjoy the tranquility in the shadow of the mountain.

Behind the mountain lies the impressive Drekagil Gorge, a narrow and deep canyon shaped by water and volcanic activity. Within the gorge is Drekafoss, a beautiful waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff, popular among hikers. Higher up in the gorge lies Hveragil, where geothermal activity serves as a reminder of the powerful natural forces that have shaped the area.

Herðubreið was first successfully climbed in 1908, having previously been considered inaccessible. The ascent was made by Sigurður Sumarliðason and the German geologist Dr. Hans Reck on August 13, 1908. Their route crossed rough lava fields and steep slopes, and climbing the mountain is recommended only for well-equipped and experienced hikers.

On April 21, 2009, 101 years later, snowmobile racer Björn Böðvarsson from the Mývatn area became the first person to reach the summit of Herðubreið by a motorized vehicle. The journey attracted considerable attention and highlights the many different ways people have found to approach the mountain over time.

Near Herðubreið lies the unique volcanic area of Askja, home to both Víti Crater and the deep and majestic Öskjuvatn. These sites, together with the Drekagils area, make Herðubreið and its surroundings one of the most remarkable destinations in Iceland’s Highlands.

In September 1993, an aircraft crash-landed on Herðubreið, an event that underscores both the challenging weather conditions and the harsh terrain of this region.

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