Systravatn Lake – Viewpoint loop from Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hiking trails & Routes

Iceland

Skaftárhreppur

Systravatn Lake – Viewpoint loop from Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Easy

4.6

(47)

236

hikers

Systravatn Lake – Viewpoint loop from Kirkjubæjarklaustur

01:31

5.01km

160m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Katla Geopark

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

749 m

Hildishaugr (Hildir's Grave Mound)

Highlight • Historical Site

Hildishaugur is a burial mound in Iceland, located near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. According to legend, a pagan man named Hildir Eysteinsson tried to settle this area in the 10th century. However, when he set foot on this ground, he died immediately and was buried on the nearby hill, now known as Hildishaugur, meaning "Hildir's Mound."

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Tip by

1.01 km

Kirkjugólf (Church Floor) Basalt Columns

Highlight • Natural Monument

Kirkjugólfið, also known as 'the church floor', is a natural monument consisting of an area of approximately 80 square meters of columnar basalt stone slabs. These stones have a hexagonal shape that resembles man-made tiles, but there has never been a church or other building on this site.

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Tip by

2.01 km

Frisbee Golf in Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Highlight • Structure

Frisbee golf course in the lupine fields of Kirkjubæjarklaustur

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Tip by

2.17 km

Kirkjubæjarklaustur Swimming Pool

Highlight • Rest Area

A swimming pool with two hot tubs. A special feature of the pool is that visitors have a view of the Systrafoss waterfall from the hot tubs. This makes it a unique experience where you can relax in the warm water while enjoying the beautiful views of Iceland's natural beauty.

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Tip by

3.29 km

Systravatn Lake

Highlight • Lake

Systravatn is a small lake located on the top of a mountain near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in Iceland. The lake is best known for being the source of the Systrafoss waterfall. According to local legends, Systravatn was the bathing place for the nuns of the nearby monastery. There is a story that two nuns bathing in the lake saw a hand rising from the water with a beautiful gold ring. When they tried to get the ring, they were reportedly pulled underwater and drowned

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Tip by

3.41 km

Kirkjubæjarklaustur Lake and Surroundings

Highlight • Lake

It is beautiful to walk here and reminds me of a golf course.

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Tip by

3.73 km

Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

A new viewpoint of the surroundings on a slope. There is an information board about water birds.

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Tip by

4.30 km

Basalt Cliffs and Rock Formations

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

The descent starts at a basalt wall with beautiful rock formations. We go down a good path in a zigzag until we reach a forest, which we pass on the right.

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Tip by

5.01 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.78 km

1.40 km

409 m

308 m

116 m

Surfaces

2.04 km

1.60 km

606 m

460 m

190 m

114 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (130 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Today

Saturday 17 October

10°C

2°C

78 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 1, 2024,Kirkjugólf – Systrafoss - Wasserfall Runde von Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Beautiful hike 😊 but there wasn't enough water for the waterfall. But it was heavenly quiet with great views. I wouldn't classify the tour as easy, even though it's quite short. It's quite a climb and steeply down again. You should also be sure-footed and not have any knee problems 😉

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June 15, 2024,0615/01: Kirkjubæjarklaustur (Rother 11)

Pleasant circular walk to the 'basalt church square': The difficult to pronounce name of the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur recalls its foundation by Irish monks and a monastery that once stood here. However, the main attraction of the place - despite the name - is of natural origin: the 'church floor', which consists of regularly shaped basalt columns.

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