Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Iceland Iceland Berserkjahraun

Berserkjahraun

This scenic Icelandic lava flow is named for a pair of Berserkers who were murdered, according to a famous Saga.

Iceland

Added By
rchodson
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Berserkers’ road.   rchodson / Atlas Obscura User
Berserkjahraun   rchodson / Atlas Obscura User
Berserkjahraun   rchodson / Atlas Obscura User
The Berserkers’ grave.   rchodson / Atlas Obscura User
Berserkjahraun   Global Sightseer / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Berserkjahraun is a 3-4,000 year old lava field with scenery that ranges from nubby moss-covered rocks to jutting spikes of hardened lava. 

The rocky field gets its name from a part of the Icelandic Eyrbyggia Saga. As the tale goes, a 10th century farmer had two Berserkers, laborers from Sweden who were known for their large size and general aggressiveness, who worked for him.  One of the men fell in love with the farmer's daughter and asked to marry her and while the farmer wanted to refuse he was a little afraid of doing so. He consulted with the local chieftain who suggested he allow the marriage IF the Berserker would first complete a certain (he believed impossible) task: forging a road through the lava field so that the farmer wouldn't have to travel such a long distance around it when he wanted to get to the other side. The Berserker agreed, and he and his compatriot set to work right away, putting all their "berserk" aggressive energy to the task. They finished in no time. Simultaneously pleased about the road and alarmed by his prospective son-in-law, the farmer invited the two Berserkers to relax their tired muscles in a special sauna he had built for them. However this was a trap and the farmer killed and buried them both.

The road, and their supposed burial place, can still be found crossing Berserkjahraun. Modern archeological excavation of the site even found the remains of two large men, lending a surprising amount of credibility to the historical veracity of the tale.

Related Tags

Volcanoes Geology Geological Oddities Mythology

Know Before You Go

The lava field is on a dirt road just off of Highway 54 (Snæfellsnesvegur) between Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Iceland in Summer: Journey through the South Coast & the Westman Islands

Explore Iceland's Myths, Wonders, & Landscapes.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

rchodson

Edited By

aribrown, Global Sightseer

  • aribrown
  • Global Sightseer

Published

August 18, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserkjahraun
  • http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_berserk_lava.htm
  • https://icelandinthecompanyofheroes.wordpress.com/tag/berserkjahraun/
  • http://www.frommers.com/destinations/snaefellsnes/277602#sthash.MH8M4GNN.dpbs#ixzz3AfxY6h7n
Berserkjahraun
Iceland
64.963056, -22.971111

Nearby Places

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

Bjarnarhöfn, Iceland

miles away

The Library of Water

Stykkishólmur, Iceland

miles away

Búðakirkja

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

Bjarnarhöfn, Iceland

miles away

The Library of Water

Stykkishólmur, Iceland

miles away

Búðakirkja

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

Related Places

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • Profitis Ilias peak

    Laconia, Greece

    Pyramid on Mount Taygetos

    The top of the holy mountain for the ancient Spartans looks like a pyramid—is it man-made or a natural phenomenon?

  • The sulfur-stained Pasil river at Mount Binulunan

    Pasil, Philippines

    Sulfur Hills of Pasil

    This steaming, yellow-tinged landscape is filled with sulfur-encrusted volcanic vents.

  • The crater as seen in February

    Gypsum, Colorado

    Dotsero Crater

    Colorado's only active volcano last erupted around 4,000 years ago.

  • Nymfopetres

    Thessaloniki, Greece

    Nymfopetra

    Legends hold that these unusual rock formations were once a bridal party, or perhaps a group of hunters.

  • Winona, Missouri

    Rocky Falls

    A 40-foot waterfall flows into this unique natural swimming hole.

  • Plug seen looking southeasterly, close-up.

    Mono City, California

    Basalt Plug

    This large chunk of dark rock is a relic from an ancient volcanic eruption.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.