Berserkjahraun lava field (Iceland) – Tips + Access + Photos

Want to feel in another world? The lava fields of Berserkjahraun, Iceland are your next destination. 
Is is a bit off the beaten track but an easy drive between interestingly-shaped mountains and lava formations.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, maps and many photos.

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Why Visit the Berserkjahraun Lava Field?

Berserkjahraun (which translates to mad-man’s lava field), is a path on the Northern part of the Snaefellsnes peninsula that takes you into lava fields from the main road circling it. It is a place where you can observe green moss over black lava stones that vary greatly in size; all that, surrounded by pyramid-shaped mountains and fjords. 

I drove one morning the whole road and enjoyed crossing paths with very few vehicles, feeling alone in the place, discovering the shapes and the contrasting colors along the way. The next day I had better weather and decided to drive part of the road again (as I was limited in time) to see it with different light. So you see how much I enjoyed it.

How to get to Berserkjahraun 

• It is along Road 558
• Coming from the West on road 54 from Grundarfjordur, cross the first bridge, then turn right on road 558 also called Berserkjahraun. After crossing a small bridge continue to a crossing and turn right.
• Coming from the East just after the crossing of Roads 56 (Vatnaleid) and 54 (Snaefellsnesvegur), turn left into Berserkjahraun
• Learn more about driving in Iceland, on my practical article

Driving Berserkjahraun

• It is very easy to reach but most people just tour Snaefellsnes and do not venture into those roads. You get the place almost to yourself! (at least until everybody reads this article)
• Best time - Early morning you will get nice reflections around the bridge
• Difficulty - The road is not paved but not difficult, you just have to drive slowly but with this scenery, who would want to drive fast? Crossing other vehicles is not a problem
• Do no walk on the lava! the moss is very fragile and takes a long time to grow + the lava is sharp
• How long - I think I drove on it for 2 & 1/2 hours stopping all the time - but you could drive it in a lot less
• Car type - I drove it with a Suzuki Jimmy 4WD  and it was perfect!

If driving from the West, you first encounter what looks like a lake at the beginning of the lava filed.
It is actually connected to the sea.
Stop near the bridge to appreciate the views.

Below are some photos of the area around the Lakes.

On one side of the road not much lava...

Sometimes the green of the moss does not even look real!

And just unbelievable scenery everywhere:

In the photo below you can see a bit more of the mountains surrounding Berserkjaraun:

And sometimes the rock is really red!

Do you see why it reached my Top 7 off the beaten path destinations in Iceland ?

The Saga behind the lava field of Berserkjahraun

Here is a short version of the Eyrbyggja saga behind the name of this lava field:

A 10th century farmer had brought two Swedish berserkers. Since he had problems handling the two, he gave them to his brother Styr the Slayer, who was living on the other side of the lava field.

After a while one of the berserkers fell in love with his daughter and asked for her hand. Víga-Styrr promised to agree only if the berserkers cleared a path through the lava field to connect his farm with the nearest settlement. The two soon finished what Víga-Styrr thought was impossible, but instead of keeping his promise he murdered them both and buried them somewhere along the path.

Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?