Krafla

Krafla: lunar landscape

Krafla is an active volcanic area near Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. Among the country’s most famous volcanic regions, it is known for the Víti Crater with its turquoise lake and extensive lava landscape. Within the area, you can catch a glimpse of geothermal phenomena such as hot springs, rising steam and bubbling mud pools. There is also a geothermal water shower.

Dangerous beauty

Krafla has experienced several volcanic eruptions, including the significant “Myvatn Fires” in the 18th century and a series of eruptions between 1975 and 1984. Together, these events have transformed the surrounding landscape into a barren expanse where for most of the year you see only two colours – white and black, occasionally supplemented by reddish-brown. Here, the landscape looks like a moonscape without life.

As soon as you arrive in the area, you will see plumes of smoke everywhere. This gives the place a unique atmosphere that you won’t find at any other crater in Iceland.

Road to Víti Crater

If you come here in the summer or in good weather, you can get to the main car park, which is right next to the crater with the lake. However, if you arrive in winter or freezing weather, the road to the parking lot is closed. And you have to park on the main road and take an approximately 15-minute hike up the hill.

As you journey along, you’ll enjoy views of dozens of craters scattered across the landscape. Upon arriving at the parking lot, you’ll immediately catch sight of the small lake nestled in the crater’s center. During the summer, the water shines in a stunning turquoise hue, while in the winter, it transforms into a sheet of colorless ice – though stepping onto it is prohibited.

You can go all around the crater. Whether you stay in one place or go around the whole crater is up to you.

Krafla shower

Along the main road to the crater is the Krafla Shower – a real shower like you have at home, except with hot thermal water flowing out of it. Well, if it wasn’t freezing outside, we’d definitely try it out. Feel free to take a shower if you come in better weather. And if you don’t dare, at least you can warm your hands.

Leirhnjúkur

Around the crater you will find lava fields that stretch as far as you can see. In places, these fields are covered in bright green moss, a reminder that even in such an inhospitable area, nature can find a way. Also in the area is the Leirhnjúkur geothermal zone, where you can see steam rising and bubbling springs.

Unfortunately, we didn’t find out that Krafla is not just a crater until the evening at our accommodation and had no idea that we could go even further and see Leirhnjúkur as well. One more reason to come back here in the summer.

How to get to Krafla

A well-marked road leads to Krafla from Lake Mývatn, which is about 10 kilometres away. Be sure to spend the night in the area and explore other beauties such as Mývatn Nature Bath, Hverir, Dimmuborgir or the nearby Goðafoss or Dettifoss waterfalls.