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Krafla Viti Crater & lake (Iceland) – Photos + Tips

Last updated on March 14, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

The Krafla Viti crater in Iceland is filled with blue water and surrounded by a geothermal area and colorful mountains… What could you want more? 
This is another incredible Icelandic landscape near lake Myvatn.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Lake Viti with map, tips and photos.

Before all my photos + tips, here are my favorites to plan your Summer Iceland trip:

car rental

My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: Discovercars

hotel

My favorite places to stay around Iceland:

  • Reykjavik, the capital, of course:  Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel 
  • Vik to explore the South Coast: Hotel Vik i Myrdal
  • Lake Myvatn, in the north: Hotel Laxa
  • Borgarnes, between Snaefellsnes and Silver Circle: Hotel Hamar
bus

My favorite bus tour from Reykjavik (Summer): Amazing Snaefellsnes Peninsula

boat

My favorite activity around Iceland (Summer): Whale watching from Husavik (best) or Reykjavik or Akureyri

tips key

My favorite platform to book travel-packages in Iceland: guidetoiceland

Travel Guide Iceland : Plan your visit to Krafla Viti Crater

Table Of Contents
Why visit the Krafla Viti Crater in Iceland?
Planning tips and Map - Krafla Viti, Iceland
Krafla Viti Crater Lake - Rim Walk
Krafla Viti hike - the small geothermal area
Second lake of Viti Crater Myvatn
Viti Crater Walk - beautiful surrounding mountains
More things to do in Myvatn and North Iceland

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Why visit the Krafla Viti Crater in Iceland?

The Myvatn area has many volcanic and geothermal features.
Contrary to the Hverfell crater, which is very dry and dark, the Viti Crater is filled with deep blue water and surrounded by colorful mountains.
 Another must stop in North Iceland!

Krafla Viti Crater Iceland

Krafla Viti Crater, Iceland

Facts & history

  • This Viti is a large crater approximately 300m in diameter.
  • Its name means Hell, in reference to the violence of the eruption.
  • It was formed during a 5-year long explosive eruption of the west side of Krafla at the beginning of the Myvatn Fires in 1724.
  • Inside the crater is a lake. It is present year-round.
  • The color of the water is blue. Its shade varies depending on the light. It can be aqua blue. It is due to the bacteria and elements from the geothermal activity in the area.
  • Jonas Hallgrimsson' s poetry was strongly influenced by the Icelandic landscapes. He wrote a poem called ‘Víti’ inspired by this crater.
Krafla Viti Lake

Confusion - The Other Lake Viti

Beware, since Viti means "hell". It is commonly used.
There is another Viti Lake. It is located near Askja and has a hot Spring.
It is also a famous location, but it is only accessible with 4WD (skills required).
To see that one you can book a day trip - See photos and program

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning tips and Map - Krafla Viti, Iceland

Where is the Krafla Viti Crater?

  • North Iceland 
  • Lake Myvatn area
  • Reykjahlid (Lake Myvatn) to Leirhnjukur = 20min drive
  • Akureyri to Leirhnjukur = 1h30 drive
  • Below is a map to help you locate Krafla Viti crater:
location Krafla viti crater Myvatn Iceland Map

Location of Krafla Vito Crater - Map

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning tips) in my travel guide eBook to help you easily plan your Iceland road trip (for 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days...)

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

How to get to Krafla Viti Crater

  • No public transportation, you need a car 
  • A few group tours include a stop there, but many not include time to hike all around
  • From Myvatn, drive East on Road 1 for 6 km. Then turn left on towards Viti/Krafla and drive past the power plant.
  • The various features of the area are not well indicated. You will see other carparks (one goes to Leirhnjukur) that might look like it but continue until the end of the road.

Need to rent a car in Iceland?

directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

How to rent a car in Iceland 2

or see my 36 practical tips to choose the best car to rent for the roads in Iceland (Summer or Winter) and find the best deals

+ read tips
See available cars + Deals

Krafla Viti Crater walk / hike

  • The carpark is just next to the rim
  • The tour of the rim can be done in one hour
  • From the carpark the half on the right side is easier.
  • I found the left side slippery and difficult even in dry conditions.
  • I think the best views of the crater are on the left side (when facing the lake from the parking) while the best views of the surrounding mountains are on the right.
  • Follow the path don’t stay too long on the small geothermal area. Just walk through it. There is a sign that says that the soles of your shoes can melt
  • And Check out my complete article with detailed suggestions and tips on what to wear and pack for Iceland to stay warm and comfortable

Can you swim in the Krafla Viti Crater?

Absolutely not.
The swimming is at the hot Spring in the other Viti Crater (Askja).

Krafla Viti in Winter

Krafla Viti can be dangerous in Winter. The rim is already slippery in Summer, but with snow, it can be harder to explore in Winter.

Accommodations nearby

Lake Myvatn, with the town of Reykjahlid, is a great option to visit the area - Check out the Lake Myvatn accommodations

I stayed at the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse (I booked myself and paid entirely for my stay) - it is right next to the lake and with the Hverfjall crater in the background... perfect! Check out more photos and book.

Myvatn Accommodation - Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

Otherwise:

  • you can stay at Egilsstadir before or after your visit to Myvatn (connection with East Fjords) - see best rated accommodations
  • or you can stay at Akureyri, the capital of the North to explore the region - see best rated accommodations

Find more tips in my article about Where to overnight in Iceland


Krafla Viti Crater Lake - Rim Walk

The area of the Viti crater is quite surreal. The water, colorful mountains and the steam hissing out of vents create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere (except for the cars parked at the end…). 

Colors of Krafla Viti Crater Iceland

I took a picture of the people across to give you an idea of the depth.

Krafla's Viti crater Lake, North Iceland photo 2

The ground is slippery, so be careful!

Krafla Viti Crater lake

Krafla Viti hike - the small geothermal area

In the middle of the rim hike, you walk down toward a small geothermal area between the 2 lakes.
The surreal atmosphere continues… Stay on the path and walk on the lighter brown area to avoid your shoes melting.
See the people on the path going by the second lake:

Viti crater rim walk, North Iceland, Photo 4

Melting!

Viti crater rim walk, North Iceland, Photo 3
Viti crater rim walk, North Iceland, Photo 2
Viti crater rim walk, North Iceland, Photo 1

If you like geothermal areas, don't miss Hverir not far from here - check out my article!


Second lake of Viti Crater Myvatn

There is a small second lake on the side of Viti (at the end of the walk if going clockwise).
As you walk back up after the geothermal area, you can see it entirely, with the pipes of the geothermal plant behind.

Second lake at Viti crater, North Iceland

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Viti Crater Walk - beautiful surrounding mountains

What I loved the most during the tour of the rim, were the views of the areas where you see beautiful and colorful mountains with just one road as sign of civilization:

Viti Crater surrounding moutains Iceland
Iceland Krafla Viti Crater Walk

Plan your trip to Iceland in Summer:

tips key
  • My itineraries : 5 days, 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks
  • Where to stay in Iceland
  • Where to stay in Reykjavik: best hotels
  • 36 tips to rent a car in Iceland
  • Guide to driving in Iceland
  • How to plan a road trip in Iceland

More things to do in Myvatn and North Iceland

For more information about planning a trip to the Myvatn area, including accommodation and other things to do, head to my North Iceland Travel Guide.
Consider visiting:

  • Very close is Leirhnjukur with its lava still fuming - see article
  • Dimmuborgir - and old lava field with huge formations - see article
  • Myvatn Nature Baths - see article
  • Hverfjall - a beautiful crater where you can walk on the rim - see article
  • The Hverir geothermal area - see article
  • and more...

Find them in my eBook:

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE


Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?

  • 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures - read article
  • The best stops on the Ring Road - read article
  • The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland - read article
  • 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - read article
  • Top 5 places to see around Myvatn - read article
  • The Golden Circle - read article
  • The Snaefellsnes peninsula - read article

And keep track of your own trip!

Iceland road trip Journal

PREVIOUS: 

HVERIR GEOTHERMAL AREA

NEXT: 

LEIRHNJUKUR STEAMING LAVA

Tourism Iceland Travel Guide

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bharati Chakravorty says

    February 2, 2018 at 12:33 AM

    Hi,
    We are travelling to Iceland for the first time. We would like to do the Krafla Viti Crater Lake – Rim Walk. Could you please let us know what is the cost involved for both of us.
    We will be in that area in the first week of July 2018.

    Thanking you
    Bharati

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      February 2, 2018 at 9:06 AM

      Hi Bharati.
      For the moment, almost all of Iceland’s Nature attractions remain free to access.
      You just drive, park and start walking 🙂
      Have a great trip!

  2. Ben says

    May 14, 2018 at 4:33 AM

    Hello,

    We would like to know if the carpark to Krafla Viti Crater Lake is accessible by motorhome.

    Are there other places we can drive to easily around myvatn lake?

    Thank you for your help

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      May 14, 2018 at 6:20 AM

      Hi
      The road to Krafla is paved and good. Should be no problem.
      Dimmuborgir, Hofdi, pseudo-craters, Hverir… most are easily accessed.
      Avoid Grjotgja and Hverfjall.
      Happy travels!

  3. Ben says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:39 AM

    Thank you so much for your quick and complete answer !
    I know now that I can plan to stay for 2 or 3 days in Myvatn to enjoy peacefully the area.

    Congratulations too for a your travel guide. It is clear, full of beautiful photos and good advices.

  4. D says

    February 17, 2019 at 8:24 PM

    Im going to iceland for 5 days in april and would like to visit the Viti crater but dont know how to get there since i dont drive. Do you know If it is possible to get a guide?

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      February 18, 2019 at 8:36 AM

      If you want to see Krafla viti (the one in this article), I don’t know of anyone that would do just that tour since I focus on road trips. Sorry.
      However if you have in mind the other famous Viti crater (near the Askja Volcano), there are 4WD tours in the Highlands to get there from Lake Myvatn – See here: https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/askja-caldera?a=101796

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