Stampar Craters are a crater row on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. They were formed by a fissure eruption: lava rose along a straight crack in the ground and built a line of vents instead of a single cone. The craters stand beside the main road, with a car park at the site and a short walk up to the rim. From the top the row of craters runs across the lava field towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Stampar Craters
Local name: Stampar
The craters stand in a line because they came from one fissure, not one vent — from the rim you can follow that line across the lava field to the Atlantic.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible parking and no accessible entrance.
- Parking
- Free gravel car park at the site, right off the main road.
- Difficulty
- Short, easy climb from the car park to the crater rim; broken lava underfoot, hiking shoes needed. A 13 km trail runs along the crater row.
- Transport
- Self-drive (Road 425)
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
What makes it special
Stampar Craters are a row, not a single cone. Lava rose along one fissure, and the vents it left run in a line across the lava field towards the Atlantic. From the rim you can follow that line with your eye to the coast. The ground is black, broken and almost bare of plants. The craters themselves are open: you can stand inside one and walk right around its rim. Most of what there is to see comes quickly, and this is a stop rather than an outing. For a longer visit, a 13 km trail runs along the crater row.
Good to know
- No toilets — there are no facilities of any kind at the craters.
- Wind — the site is fully exposed and the wind on the rim is strong. Bring a windproof layer.
- Footwear — the ground is broken lava and loose gravel. Wear proper hiking shoes.
- Two different visits — the climb to the rim is short; the marked trail along the crater row is 13 km.
Getting there
The craters sit right next to the main road, so the stop is a pull-off rather than a detour. The car park is gravel. From there a short walk takes you up onto the crater rim, where the row of vents opens out across the lava field.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Stampar Craters on the map
The crater rim is fully exposed and the wind here is strong. The footing is broken lava. In gusts, keep well back from the edge.
Get directions
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Minutes, if you only want the crater. You pull in, walk up to the rim, look along the line of vents and come back. The 13 km trail along the crater row is a separate, much longer walk.Can you go inside the crater?
Yes. You can stand in the crater and walk around its rim. The ground is broken volcanic rock throughout, so wear shoes with grip.What formed the Stampar Craters?
A fissure eruption. Lava rose along a linear fissure and built a series of craters along its path. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the tectonic plates pull apart, and fissure eruptions of this kind are common.Is it a good stop with children?
It suits children: the climb to the rim is short and easy. The ground is uneven lava, and there are no facilities at the site.Does it work as a stop on the way to the Blue Lagoon?
Yes. The craters lie right beside the main road, and the whole stop costs only the time it takes to walk up and back.