Plizio Visual Lab

Eiríksjökull

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

peak

Weather…

Eiríksjökull is the largest table mountain (tuya) in Iceland, located in the west of the country, northwest of the Langjökull glacier. It reaches a height of 1,675 meters and is capped by an ice cap covering an area of about 22 square kilometers. The mountain was formed during the last Ice Age by massive volcanic eruptions beneath a thick ice sheet, resulting in its characteristic shape with steep cliffs and a flat plateau. The base of the mountain consists of hyaloclastite rock, while the upper part is crowned by hard basalt layers. Eiríksjökull towers over the surrounding Hallmundarhraun lava field, which is known for its giant lava caves like Surtshellir. The ascent of the mountain is considered technically demanding as the flanks are very steep and often unstable. The mountain's name is derived from a legend about the outlaw Eirík, who is said to have hidden there. Today, it is a prominent geological landmark that impressively demonstrates the power of glaciovolcanic processes in Iceland.

Location: Iceland
Nearby: Laugarvatn (63 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-5	-5	-4	-1	3	7	9	8	4	0	-4	-5
Rain mm	121	111	108	95	77	70	92	93	129	112	109	123

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

Reaching the largest table mountain in the country involves traveling deep into the western highlands via rugged F-roads. A capable 4x4 vehicle is absolutely necessary to navigate the rough tracks leading to the mountain's isolated base.

📅

Best season

The highland roads providing access to the area are only open during the summer months, typically from July to early September. Attempting to visit outside this window is practically impossible due to heavy snow and closed routes.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

The approach traverses desolate highland expanses and steep, rocky talus slopes leading up the sides of the massive formation. The distinctive flat top is permanently covered by a small ice cap, adding a glacial element to the terrain.

🎒

What to bring

Extremely robust mountaineering boots and full winter survival gear are required for anyone attempting to reach the summit. If traversing the ice cap on top, crampons, ice axes, and rope systems are strictly necessary for safety.

🅿️

Parking

Parking consists of informal spots at the end of the rough highland tracks, far from any established infrastructure. Visitors must carefully choose a safe place to leave their vehicles before embarking on the arduous ascent.

⚠️

Safety

This is an extremely remote and challenging environment where sudden highland storms can cause whiteout conditions. The steep rocky ascent and the glacial cap present significant objective hazards, requiring extensive mountaineering experience.

⏱️

Time needed

An expedition to climb this massive table mountain is a grueling full-day endeavor, often taking 10 to 12 hours or more. The difficult terrain and sheer scale of the mountain demand excellent physical fitness and careful time management.