Bláalónsvegur (Route 426) used to be the main way to the Blue Lagoon, winding quietly across the Reykjanes Peninsula. In late November 2024, lava from the Sundhnúkur eruption flowed across the road, covering sections with solidified rock. The eruption created a three-kilometer fissure, and within hours, the familiar asphalt was buried, blocking the usual access to the spa and surrounding areas.
Authorities built temporary gravel roads over the cooled lava, restoring access by June 11, 2024. The original path along Bláalónsvegur remained closed, forcing travelers to use alternative routes while the region adjusted to the eruption’s impact.
The lava left a clear, visible mark across Bláalónsvegur. What was once asphalt and familiar road signs is now a hardened, blackened surface stretching across the peninsula. While access has been restored via alternate routes, the eruption permanently altered this section of the road, a reminder that Iceland’s volcanic activity continues to shape the land and the ways people move through it.
Begin at the defensive barriers and be in awe. Walk the streets where dark lava streams meet residential fences. Eat fresh fish by the harbor. Meet resilient locals continuing their businesses.
