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Natural Monuments

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

Natural Monuments

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

Highlight • Natural Monument

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

Recommended by 309 hikers out of 313

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Mývatn og Laxá

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Location: Skútustaðahreppur, Iceland

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Best Hikes to Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

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1. Hverfjall Trailhead – Hverfjall Ascent Path loop from Reykjahlíð

11.5km

03:18

210m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.6

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2. Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Reykjahlíð

4.43km

01:10

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.8

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3. Dimmuborgir – Dimmuborgir Lava Formations loop from Reykjahlíð

1.47km

00:23

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Jule 🌾

July 2, 2017

The entire trail is lined with "kissing trolls". We took the blue dashed, which then turns red and then yellow. The blue dashed part is more demanding, but not so crowded. The blue bars always show you the way.

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Alf

March 16, 2017

The kissing trolls: If you look closely you can see the trolls turned to stone.

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Beyond the Horizon

October 5, 2023

In the middle of Iceland's mystical landscape, where lava fields dominate the scene and the earth is at its most explosive, you will find Dimmuborgir, also known as "the dark city". This region is truly a labyrinth of bizarre lava formations and gives the feeling of walking in a world of legends and myths.

The start of our hike begins on the blue dashed path, a path that is more demanding but also less frequented. As you follow this path, the blue rods will always guide you safely. But be careful, because the “Kissing Trolls” are waiting for you at the side of the path. If you look closely, you can see the figures turned into stone that give this landscape its distinctive character.

But it's not just trolls who rule this area. The bizarrely shaped lava formations of Dimmuborgir, reminiscent of the crumbling ruins of castles and towers, are the highlight of this region. You can feel the presence of elves and trolls, which, according to Icelandic mythology, have their home here.

There are several paths winding through this lava field, but the combination of blue, red and yellow gives you a complete experience of Dimmuborgir. This spectacular natural phenomenon arose here, where fire and water met around 2,000 years ago. Be patient, wait for the right moment and you will be able to capture photos without crowds of tourists. It may be every Instagrammer's dream to take the perfect picture here.

As you lose yourself in this volcanic wonderland, remember to make sure you have plenty of time. The lava field is not only a place to marvel, but also to discover.

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Informations

Elevation 300 m

Weather

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Friday 31 October

2°C

70 %

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Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

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Location: Skútustaðahreppur, Iceland

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Dimmuborgir

Gatklettur (The Kissing Trolls), Dimmuborgir

1. Hverfjall Trailhead – Hverfjall Ascent Path loop from Reykjahlíð

2. Dimmuborgir – Kirkja Lava Cave, Dimmuborgir loop from Reykjahlíð

3. Dimmuborgir – Dimmuborgir Lava Formations loop from Reykjahlíð

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