We didn't have much time to hike on our own as we were on a group tour, but we got to see a bit of this. Like much of Iceland, it's absolutely stunning. I don't think I saw anything in Iceland that I would advise against doing. If you are so lucky to go, make the most of your time there.

Short cruise ship stop so we headed into the hills by 9am… after two hours reached the rock piles - almost to the narrow steep path that end at the top. Several hikers warned of high winds, muddy, narrow final ascent, so we stopped. In addition to the previous concerns, not enough visibility- twas just too foggy. It was 11:30 so we enjoyed the expansive view to the ocean, & headed down to the town where we sipped stout.

Heimaey Island is a very cool place with a vibrancy of life, major fishing industry and an attitude of "Why worry?" despite the volcanic activity of recent decades. Eldfell erupted in 1973 ,destroyed many buildings and caused the temporary evacuation of 5000 residents. The trail along the edge of the crater area is steep and narrow--some people found the steepness and drops off the side of the trail to be too unnerving. There is still a smell of sulphur while hiking the trail. However, the views from the top are impressive. With the assistance of the United States military large water pumps were employed during the eruption to cool and create hardness in the lava flow as a way to direct and divert the flow away from buildings and the narrow part of the port. It worked very well and the population is still thankful to the U.S. for the help. Building and rebuilding has not stopped since the eruption and huge fish processing plants are being built and expanded upon, despite the possibility of future eruptions. The locals do not seem to worry about what might be, but enjoy what they have now. The residents have build a very unique and memorable museum which actually covers a residence in its location that was severely damaged during the eruption. Inside the museum you will find artifacts as well as a home with roof gone and some walls collapsed with materials left by the family that had lived there. Lava and pumice are on the floor. It is like a version of Pompeii, but without the bodies. The museum is very well done and the local population is rightfully very proud of it. Definitely a Must See when visiting Heimaey Island, in addition to observing the Puffins that nest here in summer.