Dimmuborgir in Winter (Iceland) – Tips + Photos of lava field

Let's discover the lava field of Dimmuborgir in Winter: giant lava formations covered in snow.
This site is iconic of North Iceland and worth the detour, even in Winter. Your imagination can run wild here.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map and photos.

Due to the volcanic nature of the island, there are many lava fields in Iceland. Some of them are just kilometers and kilometers of flat land with rocks. But at Dimmuborgir, nothing is flat: giant lava formations have formed creating a fairy-tale landscape.
With the snow a lot of the details, that you see in Summer (see photos), disappear but you can still see the giant ones... have a look:

How to get to Dimmuborgir - Map

• Located in the North Iceland region, close to the shores of Lake Myvatn
• Easy to add to your Winter road trip (see my article to help you plan it)
• Akureyri to Dimmuborgir = 1h15 drive
• Reykjahlid to Dimmuborgir = 10min drive
• Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate Dimmuborgir in Iceland:

Accessibility in Winter

• The roads around Lake Myvatn are cleared
• The 1.5km road to the carpark are cleared to allow access (but may have more snow than the main road). 
• Of course road closure can always happen due to snow and wind - check out the status on road.is
• There is a lot of snow in the area, I recommend to wear spikes or crampons for those walking tracks (see options).

Visit Tips - Dimmuborgir Map

• The restaurant is closed in Winter
• Toilets for a fee
• As you can see on the map of Dimmuborgir below, there are 5 different loops you can walk. However know that with the snow, the directions and trails disappear.
  The loops closest to the gate are easy. But as you go further, the walking path are not as clear.
• Plan 45min to enjoy the area close to the gate (all the pictures I share in this article are from that area). I did not walk further. But some people came back from other trails and said they got a little lost.

Where to stay near Dimmuborgir

• One of the closest accommodations is the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse by the lake - I have stayed there and I love the views from the breakfast room! - Check out photos and availability
• Or check out the accommodations around Lake Myvatn
• More tips and hotel suggestions in my article about Where to stay in North Iceland

Below is a picture of the side road that leads to the Dimmuborgir carpark. As you can see, it was maintained.

How were the lava formations of Dimmuborgir formed? (geology basics)

The scientists think that they are from a lava tube which formed above a lake about 2300 years ago. It trapped the water in an estimated 10m deep reservoir.
As it began to cool, the reservoir was released, leaving only those shapes created by steam. You can see the schema below that is displayed near the entrance.
These types of rock formations are almost unique on Earth. The only known similar feature is off the coast of Mexico under water.

This is the main area of Dimmuborgir.
The path is paved from the entrance so it remains easy to access in Winter.
It is like an amphitheater with tall rocks with holes.

From Dimmuborgir, you can see the giant crater of Hverfjall in the distance.
In Summer, you can easily climb it. However in Winter you would need expert equipment.

• The crater is thought to the 2800 to 2900 years old
• It is about 1km in diameter and 140m in depth
• It is one of the largest of its kind in the world

Before the entrance gate, you can climb right for views towards the Myvatn Lake (not much visible in Winter).
And to the left you can climb up to a viewpoint over the whole lava field.

Want to see more of ICELAND IN WINTER