Berserkjahraun is a lava field on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, between Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjordur. It formed when four scoria craters erupted in quick succession, roughly 3,600 to 4,000 years ago. Its name is linked to a traditional story in the medieval Eyrbyggja saga.
What and where Berserkjahraun is
Berserkjahraun is a lava field on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. It lies between Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjordur.
How the lava field formed
The lava field formed when four scoria craters erupted in quick succession. This happened roughly 3,600 to 4,000 years ago.
The saga behind the name
The name Berserkjahraun comes from the medieval Eyrbyggja saga. In that traditional story, two Swedish berserkers worked for a local farmer.
The saga says the berserkers were set the task of clearing a path through the lava and did so. It also says the farmer had them killed rather than keep his promise.
What the excavations found
A later archaeological dig near the path uncovered the remains of two large men. The finding echoes the tale told in the saga.
Visiting Berserkjahraun on Snaefellsnes
Berserkjahraun is on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, between Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjordur. To compare options in the area, see Snaefellsnes tours.
Map the drive
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to see how Berserkjahraun: lava field on Snaefellsnes fits with the other places on your route.
