Leirhnjukur, Iceland: photos, info and planning tips

The geothermal area of Leirhnjukur near lake Myvatn as been one of my favorite places to visit in Iceland. Even though I had just admired the colorful Hverir and the surprising Viti crater, I still managed to be blown away by the volcanic nature of Iceland. The particularity of this place? The lava field is still fuming!

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - LEIRHNJUKUR

Leirhnjukur is a great example of why I love Iceland: this is a place where you can fell the power of Nature. Indeed, this geothermal area in North Iceland is partly composed of a lava field that is still steaming 30 years after the last volcanic event. As you will see in the photos below, this small hike was like landing on another planet.

There are 2 trails around the area starting from the carpark. The small loop is nice but the geothermal features migth disappointed those who have visisted Yellowstone, USA or Wai-o-tapu, New Zealand. For me, the big loop is the fascinating part, walking in the middle of the steaming lava field is an experience I will never forget and this is why this location is first on my list of top 5 things to see in Myvatn.

About its geology: Leirhnjúkur is a rhyolite formation (593 meter above sea level). The hill rises less than 50 meters above the surrounding lava field. The rhyolite of the hill is porous due to the geothermal heat and has in several places turned into clay, hence the name “clay hill”. During the past few centuries, two major periods of volcanic activity have occured, the former in the Myvatn fires 1724-1729, and the latter in the Krafla fires 1975-1984.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS - Leirhnjukur

Getting to Leirhnjukur

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. After driving past the power plant the first parking on your left is the one for the Leirhnjukur trail.

Visiting Leirhnjukur

Small loop (1h) -the first half of small loop is a board walk which was actually the slippery part
Big loop (2h taking my time, 5km) – Nothing steep but wear good shoes
DO NOT go off-path unless you want to melt your shoes.
Amenity: toilets at the parking
Attention in the lava, some trail markers disappear in the snow in Winter. Watch Leirhnjukur covered in snow on the 91 days in Iceland website

Leirhnjukur is included in the Travel guide Experience Iceland that I wrote to help you plan your road trip around Iceland and make the most of your time.

Walk from the parking

Just 100m from the parking, you get in the mood: you enter amazing scenery that looks post-apocalytic with interesting colors. No need to push me to continue walking further. The bar is set.

The pools at Leirhnjukur

One of the first features on the small loop is the pool. The boardwalk goes 3/4 around it. As often in a geotehrmal area, the colors are fascinating, I especially liked the view with Viti and Krafla in the background.

The fuming lava of Leirhnjukur

As I wrote earlier, my favorite part was walking in the lava that was still fuming. I was an incredible experience and I took all my time walking the loop discovering interesting rock formations. On this part there are not boardwalk. little poles indicate the path to follow to avoid melting the sole of your shoes 🙂

Other geological features of Leihrnjukur

Part of the small look goes accross the rhyolite hill where you can see strange colors: some features are very white, other red, many dark and grass still manage to strive!