Tallest Mountains in Iceland
Iceland’s skyline is defined by its dramatic glacial caps and massive coastal massifs that rise sharply from the North Atlantic. Unlike the jagged granite spires of the Alps or the Tetons, many of Iceland’s highest summits are actually part of the broad, ice-covered rims of active or dormant volcanoes. The highest among them is located on the southern edge of the massive Vatnajökull ice cap, where the terrain transitions from black sand plains to frozen, high-altitude ridges.
| Rank | Peak Name | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Location | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hvannadalshnúkur | 6,921′ | 2,110m | Öræfajökull | The highest point in Iceland, located on the rim of an active volcano. |
| 2 | Bárðarbunga | 6,562′ | 2,000m | Vatnajökull | A massive subglacial volcano and the second-highest peak in the country. |
| 3 | Kverkfjöll | 6,300′ | 1,920m | Vatnajökull | Known for the dramatic meeting of geothermal heat and glacial ice. |
| 4 | Snæfell | 6,014′ | 1,833m | East Iceland | The highest mountain in Iceland that is not part of a central glacier. |
| 5 | Hofsjökull | 5,791′ | 1,765m | Central Highlands | The highest point of Iceland’s third-largest glacier. |
| 6 | Herðubreið | 5,518′ | 1,682m | Odáðahraun | Often called the “Queen of Icelandic Mountains” due to its symmetrical shape. |
| 7 | Eiríksjökull | 5,500′ | 1,675m | West Iceland | The largest table mountain (tuya) in Iceland, formed by subglacial eruptions. |
| 8 | Eyjafjallajökull | 5,417′ | 1,651m | South Iceland | Famous for its 2010 eruption that disrupted global air travel. |
| 9 | Tungnafellsjökull | 5,052′ | 1,540m | Central Highlands | A glacier-capped volcano located northwest of Vatnajökull. |
| 10 | Kerling | 5,046′ | 1,538m | North Iceland | The highest peak in the Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula) region. |