Likely another Icelandic eruption coming soon

[Puffinshop]

To all those who enjoyed watching and maybe visiting the volcano last year - the earthquakes have started again (been woken up with the bed shaking for the past 3 nights), very similar to what we experienced in the run up to the 2021 eruption at Fagradalsfjall. It's quite likely that lava will break the surface somewhere on the Reykjanes peninsula some time not too long from now.

If anyone missed the last volcano and really wanted to see it, this autumn would be a strong bet for a volcano watching trip to Iceland.

No guarantees of course, and if it does happen it might not be so easily accessible, but watch this space!

DH and I are going to Iceland last weekend in October.

DH really wants to go at night for the best pictures.

I'm worried about the weather, and walking that path in the dark.

We're in our 40s but both overweight (not morbidly obese but not super fit either!)

When is a good time to go during the day/night, and what would the weather be?

This is so exciting! My husband and I are flying to Reykjavík next Thursday so hopefully it'll still be in full force by then.

@Puffinshop I hope you don't mind me asking: how would you recommend we travel to see it? We hadn't planned on hiring a car so perhaps a group tour is best?

Can't wait!

@CrabbitBastard Two and a half months is a long time. It is impossible to say whether the new path will reach all the way to the current site. It is also impossible to say whether the eruption will still be located there or even if it will still be erupting at all. You cannot plan anything with certainty.

Obviously you can't know what the weather will be like either. It will certainly be colder. It will likely be very windy, although not for certain. There could well be storms and there is a slight chance of snow. In a storm it would not be safe to attempt this hike. You can check safetravel.is on the day to see whether the trails are open or closed. Ideally, be flexible and don't put all your hopes on a single date. Any hike into the mountains in Iceland in late October and you must be very well dressed in proper, quality outdoor gear and do not underestimate things like wind chill. Base layers, mid layers, wind and waterproof shell - jacket and trousers. Mittens, not gloves. Double mittens!

With the terrain as it currently is, I personally would not risk hiking that route in the dark. At the moment there is no path for the second part of the way. You hike directly over an untouched mountain and the stones are very uneven and close together. It's just too easy to trip and fall or twist an ankle for my tastes. SAR only just finished putting in posts to mark the way. If the path is finished, which it may well be, it would be absolutely fine to go in the dark, as long as you are prepared for the cold and have head torches. It gets dark early that time of year so it wouldn't have to be a late evening hike. It's best to time a dark hike so that you set off in the light and reach the volcano as dusk is starting to fall. It is incredible to see it as the light fails. You then have to hike back in the dark using your head torches. Getting lost is not a risk, because there are so many people there all the time going the same way, you just have to follow everyone else.

I hiked some of the same way in the dusk and the snow last March and it was a great adventure, and that was back in the day when the first big hill was just a scramble up and down with a rope to hold on to. So I don't mean to be negative, but just be aware of what you are going into - the distance, the terrain, the weather.

@Roro228 Hm not sure. I'd rather not do a group tour because it's so hard with big groups when everyone goes at a different pace, but if it's your only option then definitely do it. I think there is a regular shuttle bus from Grindavík. I'm sorry, I don't have any details.

How times have changed: March 2021 vs August 2022. And work underway on a lovely new path.

Thank you so much. I will definitely come back to this thread for your tips before we go and to find out what the latest news is!

@Delatron Did you make it? Lovely weather in the capital today so I assume it was a busy day!

@Puffinshop We did!

It was the perfect day for it. It took us around 3 hours in total. Absolutely amazing - so pleased we made the effort. It was very busy and I’m not sure my running trainers were the best footwear!

Even managed a wild wee behind a few rocks!

Oh I'm so pleased for you! Wasn't it the most incredible experience?

How was the car park when you got there? I'm hoping to go with my brother soon and I was wondering how early you have to get there for it to be a smooth experience!

Also, did you see how well the new path was going by any chance?

It really was a once in a life time experience. Stunning!

We got a taxi which dropped us close to the trail. The car park was a bit further away - probably added on 10 mins walking? But plenty of space and well organised.

Path is coming on well probably good for the first mile? Diggers there working!

Seems to be drawing to a close now. If true, this was a much shorter episode. I'm kind of hoping for it to burst back into life and surprise us all, but the scientists seem pretty confident.

There will be more to come but who knows when.

gutted as we're coming at the end of October.

Have there been lots of earthquakes?

Also, how realistic is it to drive to akuriyi and back in one day (from reykjavik)?

There have been measured earthquakes but I haven't felt anything recently.

It's about 5 hours to drive to Akureyri.