Iceland's Dimmuborgir Lava Field

Iceland’s Incredible Dimmuborgir Lava Field

Dimmuborgir is a natural lava field covering a wide area in the northeast of Iceland. The crags and pillars of lava rock offer excellent photographic opportunities, as well as mind-blowing views from 3 different walking routes. Explore mysterious caves while dark pillars of rock tower over you, some of which reach 20m up in the air.

The name roughly means “dark castles” in Icelandic, which is an apt description of the other-worldly lava formations that can be found here. The lava labyrinth, as it’s become known, makes for an incredible walking experience.

Dimmuborgir Factfile

• The location featured in the hit TV series Game of Thrones

• This is one of 2 locations on Earth where rock formations like this exist

• Formed around 2000 years ago

Formation of Dimmuborgir

The area surrounding Lake Myvatn is a hive of volcanic activity, with a whole host of naturally occurring and fascinating landmarks. Lava fields across the island are caused by lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions, and Dimmuborgir is no different. 

A flow of lava around 2 millennia ago covered an ancient lake. The water in the lake was cold enough to speed the cooling of the lava while steam from the evaporating water and bubbles cracked chambers and columns within the hardening rock. 

Geology of Dimmuborgir

Partial collapse of the upper crust of cooling lava is the reason that today there are multiple levels to the lava field. The Dimmuborgir lava field is now known for its distinctive towers, columns and caves. In fact, the soaring stacks and winding chambers have been likened to a castle, with high towers and narrow staircases. Pillars of lava rock can be seen at a variety of heights, which has created enchanting scenery. 

Trolls of Dimmuborgir

With such ethereal surroundings, it’s easy to imagine that ancient Icelanders had countless tales about mysterious and fictitious creatures that lived here; namely, trolls. Allegedly, the lava columns and caves were home to Grýla, half-troll half-ogre, her submissive husband Leppalúði and their 13 sons. Stories about Grýla always talked of her hunger for children and her pet cat who would snatch children during Christmas time if they did not receive new clothes. Her 13 sons are better known as the Yule Lads, each of which had their own unique way of teasing and terrorising children during the run-up to Christmas in Iceland.