Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/lakes/kleifarvatn 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. --- # Kleifarvatn: Deep Geothermal Lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula A deep, dark geothermal lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula with no visible outlet. Surrounded by volcanic hills and home to bubbling hot springs at its southern shore, just 30 minutes from Reykjavik. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() Location Reykjanes Peninsula ~10 km² · Max depth 97 m · No visible outlet ## Quick Answer Kleifarvatn is a 97 m deep lake with no visible outlet on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 30 minutes from Reykjavik, with the Seltún hot springs near its south shore. Kleifarvatn sits in a barren volcanic landscape on the Reykjanes Peninsula, its dark waters reflecting the treeless hills and shifting skies. The lake has no visible outlet; instead, water seeps through fissures in the volcanic bedrock. After major earthquakes struck the area in June 2000, new cracks opened in the lakebed and the water level dropped sharply, exposing previously submerged hot springs. The lake has since partially refilled, and geothermal activity continues along its southern shore. Sources and page update Updated: 2026-09-10 This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions. For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy. Official sources to check - [Road status]() - [Reykjanes Geopark]() - [Icelandic Met Office]() - [SafeTravel]() - [Environment Agency of Iceland]() Geology Geothermal Lake Hot springs bubble at the southern shore. No rivers flow out of the lake. Atmosphere Dark & Mysterious Deep, dark waters set in a barren volcanic landscape. Access 30 min from Reykjavik Easy drive via Route 42. Paved road, year-round access. ## What to Expect ### Lakeshore Hot Springs At the southern shore, geothermal vents bubble through the dark sand. Steam rises from the ground and the sulfurous smell is unmistakable. Stay on marked paths as ground temperatures are extreme. ### Seltún Geothermal Area Just south of the lake, the Krýsuvík-Seltún area has a boardwalk through boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and sulfur-stained earth in yellows, reds, and grays. ### Mysterious Disappearing Water The lake's water level fluctuates as water drains through underground lava fissures. After the 2000 earthquakes, the lake level dropped significantly. ### Black Sand Beaches Stretches of dark volcanic sand line parts of the lakeshore. ### Photography Dark water, barren hills, and often low clouds make for moody photographs. ### Reykjanes Geopark Kleifarvatn sits within the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, an area of intense volcanic and geothermal activity bridging the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. ## Getting There Kleifarvatn is approximately 30 minutes south of Reykjavik via Route 42 across the Reykjanes Peninsula. The road is paved and accessible year-round, though winter ice is possible. A small parking area on the northern shore provides access to the lake viewpoint, and additional parking is available at the Seltún geothermal area to the south. The lake makes an excellent half-day trip from Reykjavik, especially when combined with the Blue Lagoon, Seltún, the Reykjanes lighthouse, and the Bridge Between Continents. ## Best Time to Visit Kleifarvatn is accessible and worthwhile in every season, and overcast weather suits the lake's dark setting. Summer has the longest daylight for combining multiple Reykjanes stops. Winter brings low light and, on clear nights, northern lights over the lake. The geothermal areas look much the same year-round. Wind can be fierce on the exposed peninsula, so bring windproof layers regardless of season. ## An old water-level story is not a current reading [Visit Reykjanes]() links the lake’s decline after 2000 to fissures probably opened by earthquakes. It describes very limited surface discharge rather than a conventional visible outlet river. This is background geology, not a measurement of today’s lake level. Do not plan a shoreline walk from an old photograph or assume a once-exposed strip is still accessible. The lake’s cold water and geothermal inflows also make it a poor substitute for a managed bathing facility. Planning help ## Kleifarvatn FAQs Quick answers with safety notes where it matters. **Why does Kleifarvatn have no visible outlet?** Kleifarvatn has no visible rivers or streams flowing out of it. Subsurface drainage is important to its water balance. After a series of earthquakes in 2000, the lake level dropped significantly probably because fissures opened in the lakebed. **Can you swim in Kleifarvatn?** Swimming in Kleifarvatn is not common and is generally not recommended. The lake is cold, deep (up to 97 meters), and quite remote without managed swimming facilities. The nearby Seltún geothermal area and hot springs at the southern shore are interesting to visit but are far too hot for bathing. **How deep is Kleifarvatn?** Kleifarvatn reaches a maximum depth of approximately 97 meters and is one of Iceland's deepest lakes. Its depth and dark color give it a somber look, especially under overcast skies. **Is Kleifarvatn close to Reykjavik?** Yes, Kleifarvatn is within driving reach of Reykjavik via Route 42 through the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is often combined with visits to the Seltún geothermal area, Krýsuvík, and the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. [Back to Lakes]() Country reference: [Iceland statistics]().