The Askja Trail
Ferðafélag Akureyrar (The Touring Club of Akureyri) presents the Askja Trail; a hiking trail through the stars of nature, Herðubreiðarlindir, Askja (one of the most famous craters on earth), Askjavatn with its mystery and history, the Víti crater and Ódáðahraun lava field.
The Touring Club of Akureyri (FFA) has built up a walking trail with huts across the lava field Ódáðahraun. The trail starts from the oasis Herðubreiðarlindir that can be reached by way of a jeep track (mountain road F88), leaving the ring road (road 1) at Hrossaborg, east of lakeMývatn. The trail ends at Svartárkot farm in Bárðardalur valley. Walkers should beware that the trail reaches a height of 1300 m on the Dyngjufjöll massif where storms and blizzards may set in suddenly even in July and August.
Drinking water is in limited supply in the Ódáðahraun-area except at the huts. Water must therefore be carried for consumption during the day. As the trail goes through rough lava, good-quality walking boots with a robust sole are mandatory.
Further information can be obtained from the FFA, which organizes guided tours in the area. Hut accommodation should be reserved well in advance.
Travellers can do the trail on their own or with a guide. Below is a description of the trail and after that a description of the guided tour that goes once or twice in the summer. The Touring Club of Akureyri (FFA) has a four-day tour planned for July 26-29, 2026 from Dreki in Botni.
Day 1: From Herðubreiðarlindir to Bræðrafell-hut.
Distance:17-19 km, vertical ascent: 240 m, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.
From Þorsteinsskáli hut (GPS (1 ) 65°11,56N - 16°13,39W) the trail, marked by yellow sticks, goes W to the table mountain Herðubreið, the queen of the mountains in this area. The trail curves N and W around Mt.Herðubreiðto a car park just W of the mountain. The trail then goes W across pahoehoe lava and the Flatadyngja lava shield where there is an interesting crater just N of the trail. At the Bræðrafell hut (GPS (2) 65°11,31N - 16°32,29W) drinking water comes from tanks on the walls of the hut.
Day 2: From Bræðrafell to Dreki hut.
Distance:18-20 km, vertical ascent: 60 m, minimal walking time: 6-7 hrs.
The trail, marked by yellow sticks, goes S across two brief stretches of aa lava, towards the eastern slopes of the Dyngjufjöll massif. The trail goes S along the foot of the massif, just under the peaks Stórakista and Litlakista. The trail then goes across old lava streams, which have flowed E out of the Askja caldera by way of Öskjuop. Finally the trail follows the eastern edge of the black aa lava (Vikrahraun) from the 1961 eruption in Öskjuop and joins the jeep track to Dreki-hut, 2-3 km east of the hut (GPS (3) 65°02,52N - 16°35,72W).
Day 3: From Dreki across the Askja caldera to Dyngjufell hut.
Distance:19-20 km, vertical ascent: 500 m, minimal walking time: 8-10 hrs.
In cloudy weather, follow the jeep track NW from Dreki-hut up into Öskjuop to the car park near the craters from 1961. Here, one can leave the rucksacks behind and follow a marked trail S to the magnificent crater Víti at the NE corner of lakeÖskjuvatn. In good weather, one can walk from Dreki, along a trail marked by yellow sticks, across the mountains W of the hut, to the Askja-caldera. The view from the eastern rim of the Askja caldera is absolutely fascinating. From the rim, descend NW into the caldera to the crater Víti where one can take a swim. From Víti follow the trail N to the car park in Öskjuop. From here, follow the sign for Dyngjufell NW across a very rough stretch of aa lava to the mountain slope to Jónsskarð pass (GPS (4) 65°04,51N - 16°49,07W). From here, the trail is marked by yellow/red sticks and cairns across the pass, with an exceptional view S and N, and down to the Dyngjufjalladalur valley and Dyngjufell hut (GPS (5) 65°07,48N - 16°55,28W).
Walkers might spend an extra day in Askja and a 2nd night in Dreki hut because the area is so unique.
Day 4: From Dyngjufell to Botni hut.
Distance: 20-22 km, all downhill, minimal walking time: 6-8 hrs.
The trail follows a marked jeep track N out of Dyngjufjalladalur valley, through sand and easy lava fields with beautiful views to the many volcanoes in the area. Some 13 km N of Dyngjufell follow a signpost (GPS (6) 65°13,69N - 16°58,83W) for Botni and walk from here under the eastern edge of an aa lava (Frambruni/Suðurárhraun) to the Botni hut (GPS (7) 65°16,18N - 17°04,10W), some 650 m SSE from the uppermost wells of Suðurá-river at Suðurárbotnar.
Day 5: From Botni to Svartárkot-farm.
Distance:15-16 km, all downhill, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.
The trail follows an old jeep track to the wells at Suðurárbotnar where a large number of crystal-clear streams appear from under the edge of the lava. Here there is suddenly lush vegetation after the barren wilderness of Ódáðahraun. The trail goes past Botnakofi, the remains of an old shepherds' hut, then follows the NE bank of the Suðurá-river past Stóraflesja where there are more recent shepherds' huts. Finally the trail leads NNW from Suðurá to Svartárvatn-lake where crystal-clear water flows from under the lava directly into the lake. Here, the Askja-Trail ends at the Svartárkot-farm.
Compiled by the walking route committee of the FFA in June 1999.
Askja Trail. Holiday tour with guide.
The trip involves walking with minimal equipment. A utility vehicle drives with luggage between huts. The vehicle follows the group at all times. People are asked to limit luggage as much as possible. A bus then picks up the group at the end of the trip. Overnight stays in FFA huts; Dreki, Dyngjufell and Botni. The hiking elevation is low on this route.
Detailed description:
1st day: Dreki – Askja
Drive to Dreki, with a stop in Herðubreiðarlindur. A short stop in Dreki where the bus waits for the group and then drives the group up to Vikraplan. From there, walk to Öskjuvatn and stop in Víti. Then walk back over the mountains and end up in Dreki where you stay overnight. Distance: 13–14 km.
2nd day: Dreki – Dyngjufell
Drive up to Vikraplan. Walk along a marked path from there, over Dyngjufjöll via Jónsskarð and down to Dyngjufjalladalur. Overnight in Dyngjufell, FFA hut. Distance: 14 km.
3rd day: Dyngjufell – Botni
From Dyngjufell, walk north up Dyngjufjalladalur to Suðurárbotna. Overnight in Botni, FFA hut Distance: 20–22 km.
4th day. Botni - Svartárkot
Final day; old jeep trails are followed from Botni to Suðurárbotni and along Suðurá to Svartárkot. Distance: 15–16 km. Drive by bus to Akureyri. Expected arrival around 5 pm.
2026:
Information about this trip in 2026 can be obtained from the FFA office, ffa@ffa.is or by phone +354 462 2720
There is a stop at Herðubreiðarlindir.
Herðubreið is a 1682 meter high hyaloclastite mountain north of Vatnajökull. It is in Ódáðahraun and is often referred to as „The Queen of Icelandic mountains“ because of it's beautiful shape. The mountain was formed in an eruption under glacier. On the top are lava fields which means that the eruption reached above the glacier surface. Such mountains, that is hyaloclastite mountains with lava fields on top, are called table mountains. Mount Herðubreið was elected the national mountain of Iceland the year 2003.
Snæfell seen from afar on the way to Bræðrafell - Dreki
You get to know new people in a good group.
Walk over a snow bridge.
Drekagil
Lake Öskjuvatn, this is a sight no one forgets.
Askja in Dyngjufjöll mountains was declared as a protected natural monument in 1978 and is one of the most special natural formations in Ódáðahraun. Askja, a great elliptical caldera, has had many eruptions. There is lake Öskjuvatn, the second deepest lake in Iceland at 217 m. It is unforgettable to anyone who visits it.
Excitement
The Dyngjufell hut.
Even in the desert there is growth, although the circumstances are harsh.
The lake appears all of a sudden and after many days in the wilderness of Ódáðahraun it is a very powerful experience to sea the lake and its surroundings. An experience which cannot be fully felt unless having walked the Askja trail.
(Most of the pictures belong to Jakob Kárason)