Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/volcanoes/krafla 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. --- # 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. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() Region North Iceland Near Mývatn. Easy access by car year-round. ## Quick Answer 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 page update Updated: 2026-09-10 This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Stay on marked trails in geothermal areas. Thin crusts can conceal scalding water. For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy. Official sources to check - [Weather (IMO)]() - [Road status (road.is)]() - [SafeTravel alerts]() - [Environment Agency of Iceland]() 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 ## The visitor centre is closed for 2026 construction [Landsvirkjun’s visitor notice](), checked September 10, 2026, states that Krafla Visitor Centre is closed during summer 2026 for construction; it is also normally closed in winter. Do not build a visit around entering the exhibition without a newer opening announcement. This notice concerns the centre, not a blanket closure of every volcanic viewpoint. Check Víti and Leirhnjúkur access separately. Krafla’s Víti is also a different crater from the Víti beside Öskjuvatn at Askja, so use “Krafla” when comparing maps and tours. Planning help ## Krafla FAQs Quick answers with safety notes where it matters. **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, Earth Lagoon Mývatn (formerly 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. [All volcanoes]() For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our [Iceland statistics]().