Why we like Búrfell

Búrfell is the long ridge you can actually see on the drive in from the cabin, rising 536 metres above the Grímsnes lowlands. We like it because it gives you a real summit feeling without asking for a real mountaineer's day: the gradient is honest but never brutal, and the reward at the top is genuinely worth the effort. We'd send you here on your first full day, when you want to stretch your legs and get the lie of the land before tackling anything bigger.

The best part is something you can't see from below. Tucked into the summit plateau is an old crater holding a small mountain lake, and it only reveals itself when you reach the rim — a quiet surprise that catches almost everyone the first time. We always tell guests not to peek at too many photos beforehand: the moment it appears in front of you is half the fun. Pack a picnic and you can sit right beside it.

The view from the top

This is the bit we get excited telling guests about. On a clear day the whole of South Iceland lays itself out below you — Þingvallavatn, the winding Sog river, Ingólfsfjall, Hengill, Botnssúlur, Skjaldbreiður, Lyngdalsheiði and Laugarvatn, all the way round to the big southern peaks: Hekla, Tindfjöll, Þríhyrningur and Eyjafjallajökull. We don't know another hike this close that gives you so much in a couple of hours — so pick a clear day if you can, because the view is the whole point. If the forecast looks grey, save it for later in your stay.

What the hike is like

The trailhead is east of the home fields at the farm Búrfell, below the southern flank of the mountain. The route climbs the south slope at a steady, even gradient — never overly steep — until you reach the crater rim and the lake comes into view. We'd suggest walking the loop around the lake before heading back down the same way. Reckon on about 8 km round trip with roughly 500 m of climbing, and budget 2–3 hours plus a generous extra half-hour at the top, because nobody wants to rush that view or a lakeside lunch.

A story for the climb

We like saving this one for the walk up. Local folk tales claim a hidden tunnel runs between Búrfell's summit lake and the famous crater lake of Kerið — only 12 minutes from the cabin and worth a stop on the same day — and that a nykur lives in both. The nykur is a shape-shifting water horse, usually a handsome grey, but you can spot him by his backwards-pointing hooves and ears. Climb on his back and he gallops straight into the water and drowns you. It's a great one to tell the kids on the way up, and you'll think of it again standing at the edge of that quiet little summit lake.

From Northern Lights Cabin

• Drive time: ~15–20 minutes
• Step 1: From Þrastalundur turn onto Þingvallavegur (Route 36).
• Step 2: After 5.2 km, turn onto Búrfellsvegur (Route 351).
• Step 3: Follow Route 351 for 2.3 km to the farm Búrfell.
• Parking: Park on the power-line service road just east of the farm. Do not drive up to the farm buildings — respect the working farm and its residents.
• Trailhead: The route starts east of the home fields and heads up the south slope of the mountain.

Good to Know

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes — the upper sections cross loose volcanic rock and móberg gravel.
• Bring layers and a windproof shell — the summit plateau is exposed and noticeably cooler than the valley floor, even on warm summer days.
• Carry water and a packed lunch — the rim of the crater lake is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Grímsnes.
• Best season is late May through October. In winter the upper slopes hold snow and the trail is not maintained.
• Always check vedur.is for the weather forecast before heading out — Iceland's weather can change in minutes.
• Combine with a visit to Kerið crater — the folklore says they share a hidden tunnel, and they make a perfect pairing in real life too.
• Respect the land: stay on tracks, take all rubbish with you, and close any gates you open.