What were the Krafla Fires?

The Krafla Fires (Kröflueldar) were a volcanic episode from 1975 to 1984 with nine eruptions along a fissure system. Lava flows threatened the nearby Krafla geothermal power station and reshaped the landscape around Lake Mývatn.

Can you visit the Víti crater at Krafla?

Yes, the Víti explosion crater is accessible by car and a short walk. It contains a blue-green lake and has wide views of the caldera. The name Víti means 'Hell' in Icelandic.

Is there a geothermal power station at Krafla?

Yes, the Krafla Geothermal Power Station has been operating since 1977, producing 60 MW of electricity. It sits right on the caldera rim and was threatened by lava flows during the Krafla Fires.

How far is Krafla from Lake Mývatn?

Krafla is about 15 km northeast of Lake Mývatn. The two areas are commonly visited together; Mývatn has accommodation, the Mývatn Nature Baths, and volcanic features like Námaskarð and Dimmuborgir.

What is Leirhnjúkur at Krafla?

Leirhnjúkur is a geothermal area within the Krafla caldera with bubbling mud pools, steam vents, and colorful mineral deposits. A marked hiking trail winds through the area, passing lava from the Krafla Fires that is still warm beneath the surface.

Krafla Caldera: Víti Crater and the Krafla Fires

A north Iceland caldera famous for the Krafla Fires eruption series (1975–1984), the Víti explosion crater, and an active geothermal power station in the Mývatn area.

Last reviewed March 3, 2026By the Iceland.org travel deskEditorial policy

Region

North Iceland

Near Mývatn. Easy access by car year-round.

Krafla is one of Iceland's most accessible volcanic calderas, sitting in the geothermally active Mývatn region of north Iceland. The Krafla Fires between 1975 and 1984 produced nine eruptions and reshaped the landscape with fresh lava fields. Today, visitors can walk among steaming vents, peer into the Víti explosion crater, and see a working geothermal power plant on the caldera's edge.

Sources and last reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03

This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Stay on marked trails in geothermal areas. Thin crusts can conceal scalding water.

Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.

Official sources to check

Key event

Krafla Fires 1975–1984

Nine eruptions over nearly a decade.

Highlight

Víti explosion crater

Blue-green lake in an explosion crater.

Access

Paved road from Mývatn

15 km from Lake Mývatn. Year-round access.

What to Expect at Krafla

Caldera volcano classification: ~10 km wide caldera with 90 km long fissure swarm extending north
Krafla Fires (1975-1984): nine eruptions over nearly a decade; most recent eruptive activity
Viti explosion crater: 300 m wide, formed in the 1724 Myvatn Fires eruption; blue-green lake inside
Leirhnjukur geothermal field: bubbling mud pools, fumaroles, and lava still warm underfoot from 1984
Krafla geothermal power station (60 MW) operates on the caldera rim; visible from the hiking trails
Marked 3.5 km loop trail through Leirhnjukur passes steaming vents and colorful sulfur deposits
Part of the Northern Volcanic Zone; eruption history stretches back ~100,000 years

Nearby Attractions

Lake Mývatn and Mývatn Nature Baths
Námaskarð geothermal pass
Dimmuborgir lava formations
Grjótagjá hot spring cave
Húsavík whale watching (45 min drive)
Goðafoss waterfall (40 min drive)

How to Get There

Drive Route 1 to Lake Myvatn area, then take Route 863 north (~15 km) to Krafla
Paved road all the way to the Viti crater car park; no 4WD required
Leirhnjukur parking area is signed from Route 863, with a short drive on gravel road
From Akureyri: ~90 km east on Route 1 to Myvatn, then Route 863 north
Year-round road access, though winter conditions may require studded tires
No guided tour required; self-drive with marked walking trails from parking areas

Best Time to Visit

Year-round access: Route 863 to Krafla is maintained in all seasons
June to August: warmest weather and longest days for the Leirhnjukur loop trail
Geothermal features are active in all seasons; steam is more visible in cold weather
Winter: steam against snow; possible northern lights from the crater rim
Combine with Myvatn attractions (Namascard, Dimmuborgir, Myvatn Nature Baths)
Midnight sun period (mid-June to mid-July) allows evening hikes in full daylight

Planning help

Krafla FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

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