With all the touristy spots in Iceland, it’s hard to know which hidden gems are worth the time and effort to visit. Going off the beaten path doesn’t have to be a gamble, though. We already know places like the Apple Crater in Iceland are easy to reach and provide a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else.
This colorful natural wonder deserves some attention, so we have taken it upon ourselves to put together an article with all you need to know about the Apple Crater in Iceland. So, learn what makes this place so special and start planning your visit.
What is the Apple Crater in Iceland?
Finding hidden gems in Iceland becomes increasingly difficult with the ever-increasing number of visitors. The Icelandic Highlands is an area that still offers up good-quality spots that few take the time to see.
The Apple Crater in Iceland is one of the almost untouched hidden gems that is surprisingly easy to find and explore. It’s a little bit remote, which is why most people don’t bother to come here, but the key word here is “little.” It actually doesn’t take long to get here or to complete the hike, so it’s the perfect spot to visit if you don’t have much time but still want to get some alone time with Mother Nature.
The real name of the Apple Crater in Iceland is “Rauðaskál” and directly translates to “Red Bowl.” The name comes from the characteristic red color of the massive crater and surrounding area. In the summer in Iceland, it is nicely paired with lush green vegetation, making it look like a large apple (hence the nickname). The colors are what really sets the Apple Crater in Iceland apart from places like Hverfjall Volcano Crater and Kerid Crater.
Rauðaskál, as part of the Hekla volcanic system, is renowned for its striking red and green hues, a result of mineral deposits left by ancient volcanic activity. These vibrant colors are created by iron and sulfur compounds that have accumulated over centuries, painting the landscape with dramatic contrasts.
Where is the Apple Crater in Iceland?
You’ll find the Apple Crater in Iceland next to the volcano Hekla. It sits in the southern Icelandic Highlands between the popular Road 26 and the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
How to Get to the Apple Crater in Iceland
Getting to the Apple Crater in Iceland is easy, even if it is off the beaten path. You won’t find any run-of-the-mill guided tours going here, so you’ll have to either hire a private tour guide or drive yourself.
Driving from Reykjavik to the Apple Crater in Iceland requires you to take the Ring Road, heading east, for about 77 kilometers (+/- an hour’s drive). Then you’ll turn on Road 26, going north, and drive that for about 49 kilometers (40 minutes) until you can turn on F225. Since this is one of the F-roads in Iceland, you’ll have to drive a 4x4 vehicle on this road.
Drive the F225 for 7 kilometers until you can turn right towards Hekla on a small gravel road. After about 6.5 kilometers, you’ll start seeing the Apple Crater in Iceland as you approach it (it’s impossible to miss). At the foot of the mountainous crater, you’ll find a gravel parking lot, which is the starting point of the hike up the Apple Crater in Iceland.
As far as the F-roads in Iceland go, this is a well-kept and easy road that doesn’t contain any river crossings, so you can do it with any 4x4 vehicle. Some people have driven further up the crater due to the lack of signs and restrictions. That is not allowed since it is considered off-roading, so please leave the car in the parking lot.
The Apple Crater Hike
Just like the road to get here, the hike is very easy and straightforward. If you want to hike up Rauduskal, you’ll start by the sign (which is the word “Rauduskal” written on a large rock) and follow the narrow trail leading up the side of the crater.
The entire trail is about 2 kilometers long, back and forth, and will take about an hour to complete. The hike starts off easily with a gentle change in altitude and becomes gradually steeper as you go. In the end, you’re basically walking up a steep hill in soft gravel, so it might become difficult if you’re not used to hiking in Iceland. When you reach the top, you’ll have a panoramic view of the surroundings and can even admire the mighty Hekla from a distance.
For those exploring Iceland’s Highlands, Haifoss waterfall and Landmannalaugar are excellent spots nearby, both accessible via F-roads for a true off-road adventure. Haifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, cascades powerfully into a dramatic canyon, providing stunning views and a quiet, untouched atmosphere. Meanwhile, Landmannalaugar is well-known for its vibrant rhyolite mountains and natural hot springs, ideal for hiking and relaxing amidst colorful landscapes.
What to Keep in Mind When Visiting the Apple Crater in Iceland
As with any time you’re in Icelandic nature, there are a couple of things you need to think of:
- Don’t step on the moss. This is the number one rule in the Icelandic Highlands and extends to not disturbing the moss in any way if possible. The moss is very precious in Iceland and due to how fragile it is and how slow it grows, extensive wear and tear from tourists threatens its existence.
- Leave nature as it was when you came. That means picking up your trash and holding on to it until you get to a bin and not taking any “souvenirs.” Grabbing a volcanic rock or two might not feel like such a big deal, but if everyone did it, Iceland would be picked clean. So, keep the rocks on the ground, even if the Apple Crater in Iceland has cool colors.
- We recommend visiting in summer for the mildest weather and extra daylight. Note that the wind on the crater’s rim can be intense, especially near the edge, so dressed accordingly (water and windproof gear).
- Have proper boots for hiking, even if the trail is short. The sharp gravel and rugged rocks are best handled with a sturdy boot rather than a pair of sneakers.
- Even if the road here is easy to drive and the hike doesn’t require much, remember that this is in the Highlands, and there won’t be any amenities at the site.
- Make sure to fill up on gas when you turn off the Ring Road since you won’t find any petrol stations in the area around the Apple Crater in Iceland.
Plan Your Crunchy Adventure to the Apple Crater in Iceland
Finding hidden gems off the beaten path has never been as easy as when you take on this apple-looking crater in Iceland. The only requirement you have is that you need to take a 4x4 vehicle the last 13 kilometers of the road and have shoes that won’t fall off your feet when you hike.
The Apple Crater in Iceland is a must on your Iceland itinerary if you want to see the stuff that isn’t in the tourist guides. Being at the helm of your own adventure means going where others won’t and taking yourself wherever you want to go. So, remember to rent a car in Iceland and make sure it has 4WD if you want to check out the colorful Apple Crater!
