Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/cities/kirkjubaejarklaustur Content updated: 2026-09-10 This is the Markdown representation of the page. Interactive tools and forms are available on the [HTML page](). Source-check and review dates retain the meanings stated in the article. --- # Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Laki Craters and a Former Monastery Iceland's monastery village: a tiny green settlement among lava fields, and the gateway to the Laki craters and Fjadrargljufur canyon. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() Population ~150 South Iceland • Historic site ## Quick Answer Kirkjubaejarklaustur (Klaustur), a Ring Road village of about 150 people between Vik and Vatnajokull, is the base for Laki craters and Fjadrargljufur canyon. Kirkjubaejarklaustur (locals shorten it to 'Klaustur') is a green patch surrounded by lava fields and glacial outwash plains. The settlement housed a medieval monastery, and today it has the last services for 70 km in either direction along the Ring Road. Sources and page update Updated: 2026-09-10 Ask Skaftarstofa about current access before a Laki trip. F206 and F207 require four-wheel drive and involve unbridged rivers. For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy. Official sources to check - [Vatnajokull National Park]() - [South Iceland]() - [Visit Iceland]() - [Road.is]() - [Icelandic Meteorological Office]() Region South Iceland 260 km from Reykjavik Population ~150 Ring Road service village Known for Laki craters Historic monastery site ## Top Attractions near Kirkjubaejarklaustur ### Laki Craters (Lakagígar) 130 volcanic craters from 1783 eruption ### Fjadrargljufur Canyon 100m deep moss-covered gorge ### Kirkjugolf Natural basalt 'church floor' formation ### Systrafoss Waterfall Waterfall near the village ### Eldhraunid Lava Field Vast moss-covered lava from Laki ### Skaftafell Vatnajokull National Park gateway ## How to Get to Kirkjubaejarklaustur **From Reykjavik:** 3.5 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road), passing through Vik. **From Vik:** About 1 hour east on Route 1. A practical stop before or after Skaftafell. **To Laki:** F206 and F207 require four-wheel drive and cross unbridged rivers. Ask park staff about conditions and consider a guided trip; a seasonal date range does not establish that the route is open. ## Best Time to Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur **Summer:** Summer is the main highland season, with actual access dependent on road and river conditions. **Year-round:** The village is a Ring Road service stop. Check opening hours and any trail closures before choosing nearby attractions. ## Start with Skaftarstofa before heading toward Laki [Skaftarstofa]() is the park visitor center at Songholl beside Route 1 near Kirkjubaejarklaustur. It also provides local visitor information and houses the Life with Nature exhibition. Use this as the place to discuss a Laki plan with park staff. The center’s own page lists +354 853 1882; confirm seasonal hours before a late-day arrival. The park’s [Lakagigar guidance]() describes four unbridged river crossings on F206 and F207, with levels that can rise in rain. Having four-wheel drive does not settle whether your vehicle and experience suit the crossings that day. Ask about current conditions before leaving the village. Once at the crater area, choose a walk separately from the drive. The park lists the Laki summit route as a challenging two-kilometer walk of about 1–1.5 hours; the Tjarnargigur visitor trail is an easier 500-meter, roughly 30-minute option. Those walking times exclude the highland journey. Planning help ## Kirkjubaejarklaustur FAQs Quick answers with safety notes where it matters. **What is the population of Kirkjubaejarklaustur?** Kirkjubaejarklaustur has approximately 150 residents and is one of the smallest service villages on the Ring Road. **What does Kirkjubaejarklaustur mean?** The name means 'Church Farm Monastery.' Locals simply call it 'Klaustur.' A Benedictine convent operated here from 1186 until the Reformation. **What are the Laki craters?** Lakagigar is a row of more than 130 craters formed in the 1783–1784 Skaftareldar eruptions. The disaster caused severe hardship in Iceland and affected climate and crops much farther away. **How far is Kirkjubaejarklaustur from Reykjavik?** Kirkjubaejarklaustur is about 260 km from Reykjavik, approximately 3.5 hours by car via Route 1 (Ring Road). **What is Kirkjugolf?** Kirkjugolf (Church Floor) is a natural basalt formation that looks like a man-made stone floor. It's a protected natural monument near the village. **What services are in Kirkjubaejarklaustur?** Despite its small size, the village has a hotel, guesthouse, restaurant, supermarket, and gas station: the essentials for Ring Road travelers. **What is Fjadrargljufur canyon?** A 100-meter deep canyon just west of town. The 2km walking path looks down on the moss-covered walls. **How close is Vatnajokull glacier?** Vatnajokull National Park begins east of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. The village is a base for exploring Skaftafell and glacier lagoons. [Back to Cities & Towns]() For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our [Iceland statistics]().