South IcelandCrater lake
Kerið
Colorful 3,000-year-old crater lake on the Golden Circle. Vivid red volcanic rock contrasts with aquamarine water. Easy boardwalk around the rim and stairs to the lake. Small entrance fee.
Volcanic Craters
Volcanic Craters of Iceland: Kerið, Víti, Laki & More
From colorful crater lakes on the Golden Circle to remote highland calderas and a volcano you can descend into.
Unique
Enter a magma chamber
Þríhnúkagígur is the only place on Earth to descend into a volcano's magma chamber.
Quick Answer
Iceland's volcanic craters range from Kerið on the Golden Circle to remote Víti at Askja and the 1783 Laki crater row, with access notes and safety basics for each.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Crater walls can be loose and unstable, so stay on marked paths. Highland craters require F-road access and proper preparation.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
HighlandsExplosion crater
Víti at Askja
Warm milky-blue crater lake formed in the 1875 eruption. Highland F-road access only (F88). Steep descent to the water. One of Iceland's most remote destinations.
North IcelandExplosion crater
Víti at Krafla
Vivid green crater lake in the Krafla volcanic system near Mývatn. Created in 1724 during the Mývatn Fires eruption. Easy access by road; short walk from parking.
North IcelandTephra crater
Hverfjall (Hverfell)
Massive near-perfect circular tephra crater near Mývatn, 1 km in diameter. Formed 2,500 years ago. Steep 20-minute climb to the rim for panoramic views of the Mývatn area.
West IcelandScoria crater
Grábrók
Easily accessible scoria crater near Bifröst with a staircase to the top. Part of the Grábrókarhraun lava field. Quick roadside stop with good views.
West IcelandScoria crater
Eldborg
Well-preserved circular scoria crater in Borgarfjörður. The marked approach from Snorrastaðir is a substantial walk with a final climb. The name means 'fire fortress.' Surrounded by a large lava field.
West IcelandCrater row
Grábrók
Part of a row of three craters (Stóra-Grábrók, Litla-Grábrók and Grábrókarfell) along Route 1 near Bifröst. Protected natural monument since 1962.
South IcelandCrater row
Lakagígar (Laki Crater Row)
A row of 130+ craters from the catastrophic 1783–84 Laki eruption. One of Earth's most devastating eruptions in recorded history. Highland F-road access. Moss-covered lava fields.
ReykjanesMagma chamber
Þríhnúkagígur
The only place on Earth where you can descend into a dormant volcano's magma chamber. Open-cage elevator lowers visitors 120m inside. Expensive, summer-only guided tours.
A rim walk, a lake descent or an underground tour?
Kerið is a paid crater visit with parking and toilets included. Hverfjall has a gentler northwestern approach and a steeper southern route; choosing the wrong side changes the climb.
At Víti at Askja, reaching the rim does not settle whether to descend: the park warns of loose ground, rockfall and hot mud. For Þríhnúkagígur, the lift descent comes after a walk to the crater; check the minimum age and walking requirements before booking.
Planning help
Volcanic craters FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is Kerið part of the Golden Circle?
Kerið is often included as an optional fourth stop on the Golden Circle route, located between Selfoss and the Geysir area. It's a quick detour worth the small entrance fee for the color contrast of red rock and aquamarine water.
How do I reach the Askja caldera and Víti?
Askja is accessed via F-road F88 from Route 1, requiring a capable 4x4 vehicle. The road typically opens in late June or July depending on snow. From the parking area, it's about a 2.5 km walk to the caldera rim. Check road conditions at road.is before driving.
How do I visit inside Þríhnúkagígur volcano?
Þríhnúkagígur is only accessible through guided tours operated by Inside The Volcano. Tours run from May to October, include a hike to the crater, and use an open-cage elevator to descend 120m into the magma chamber. Book well in advance; tours are limited and popular.
Are volcanic craters dangerous to visit?
Treat access, footing and volcanic activity as separate questions. Loose crater slopes can be hazardous even when no eruption is occurring. Follow marked routes, obey closures and check the current conditions for remote approaches. The route to a crater viewpoint does not establish that descending to its lake is permitted.
What happened during the Laki eruption?
The 1783–84 Laki eruption was one of history's most catastrophic volcanic events. It produced 14 km³ of lava, toxic gas clouds that killed livestock and caused famine across Iceland (killing roughly 25% of the population), and affected climate across the Northern Hemisphere. Today, the 130+ crater row is covered in thick moss.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.