Formation
1724
Formed during the opening eruption of the Mývatn Fires on May 17, 1724
Víti at Krafla: Green Crater Lake in North Iceland
A vivid green explosion crater from the 1724 Mývatn Fires, easily reached near Lake Mývatn in North Iceland
Location
North Iceland
Krafla volcanic system, near Mývatn
Quick Answer
Víti at Krafla is an explosion crater from the 1724 Mývatn Fires in North Iceland, holding a vivid green lake. A paved road leads to parking and a walking path.
Víti at Krafla is an explosion crater filled with vivid green geothermal water, located within the Krafla volcanic system in North Iceland. The crater was formed on May 17, 1724, during the opening phase of the Mývatn Fires (Mývatnseldar), a five-year period of volcanic eruptions that devastated the region. The name Víti, meaning "Hell," was given by locals who believed the eruption was a gateway to the underworld. Today the crater is a short walk from the parking area, its colored water surrounded by steam vents and bare volcanic terrain.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Stay on marked paths and do not approach the water. Geothermal areas have unstable ground and scalding temperatures. Steam vents can emit toxic gases.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Water Color
Green
Vivid emerald to turquoise green from dissolved minerals, sulfur compounds, and algae
Walk from Parking
5 min
A short, easy walk from the Krafla parking area to the crater rim viewpoint
What to Expect
Vivid Green Water
The crater lake's green hue shifts between emerald and turquoise depending on the season, water temperature, and algae activity.
Easy Access
Unlike many Icelandic craters, Víti at Krafla requires only a short 5-minute walk from the parking area on a well-maintained path.
Krafla Lava Fields
Nearby Leirhnjúkur has still-steaming lava fields from the Krafla Fires eruptions of 1975-1984, with a walking path across the raw volcanic terrain.
Geothermal Activity
Steam vents and fumaroles surround the crater, a reminder that Krafla remains one of Iceland's most active volcanic systems.
Crater Rim Views
The rim overlooks the crater lake below and the surrounding Krafla caldera stretching to the mountains.
Mývatn Area
Víti is just 20 minutes from Lake Mývatn, so it is easy to combine with the Mývatn Nature Baths, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Námafjall.
Getting There
Víti at Krafla is located approximately 20 minutes from Lake Mývatn in North Iceland. From Reykjahlíð on the eastern shore of Mývatn, take Route 1 east for about 3 km, then turn left onto Route 863 toward the Krafla area. Follow the road past the Krafla geothermal power station to the parking area at the end of the road. From Akureyri, the drive takes about 1.5 hours east along Route 1. The road is paved all the way to the parking area and is accessible to all standard vehicles year-round, though winter conditions may require caution.
Best Time to Visit
Víti at Krafla can be visited year-round thanks to its easy road access, but the best time is from June through August when weather conditions are mildest and the green water color is most vivid. Summer visits also allow you to combine the trip with longer hikes around the Leirhnjúkur lava fields. In winter, the surrounding snow contrasts with the steaming crater, though paths may be icy. The Mývatn area has midnight sun from mid-June to mid-July, so summer visits can run late into the evening.
A brief view and a rim circuit take different amounts of time
Visit Mývatn’s route 10 describes a circuit around the 1724 crater toward the geothermal area to its east, allowing about one hour. It explicitly warns that a route manageable in dry weather can become slippery and hazardous when wet.
Keep a quick crater view separate from a plan to complete that circuit. Follow the open route on arrival, and skip the extension if wind, mud, snow or ice makes the footing unsuitable.
Planning help
Víti at Krafla FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Can you swim in Víti at Krafla?
Plan Víti at Krafla as a crater viewpoint and stay on the open walking route. This guide has not established permission or suitable conditions for bathing. Do not transfer bathing descriptions of the different Víti crater at Askja to this lake.
Is Víti at Krafla accessible year-round?
The Krafla area and Víti crater can be visited year-round, though winter conditions may affect road access. Route 863 to the Krafla area is usually maintained in winter, but check road.is for current conditions. Snow and ice can make the short walk to the crater rim more challenging during winter months.
Why is the water in Víti at Krafla green?
The vivid green color of Víti's water comes from a combination of dissolved minerals, sulfur compounds, and algae that thrive in the geothermally heated water. The color can shift between emerald green and turquoise depending on the season, water temperature, and algae activity.
What else is there to see near Víti at Krafla?
The Krafla area has several attractions within a short drive, including the Krafla geothermal power station, the Leirhnjúkur lava field from the 1975-1984 Krafla Fires eruptions, and the Námafjall geothermal area. Lake Mývatn and its many attractions are only 20 minutes away.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.