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Leirhnjukur Iceland (Krafla lava fields) – Visit Tips + Photos

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

The geothermal area of Leirhnjukur, Iceland, is one of my favorite places to visit near Myvatn. 
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!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit 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 Leirhnjukur

Table Of Contents
Leirhnjukur & the Krafla Lava Fields - why visit?
Planning Tips and Map - Leirhnjukur Iceland
Walk from the parking of the Leirhnjukur Lava Fields
The pools at Leirhnjukur mountain
The fuming lava field
Other geological features of the Leihrnjukur hiking trail
Surreal landscapes
Other attractions in the area

// 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).


Leirhnjukur & the Krafla Lava Fields - why visit?

About Leirhnjukur

Leirhnjukur is a great example of why I love Iceland: this is a place where you can feel the power of Nature.
Indeed, this geothermal area in North Iceland is partly composed of a lava field that is still steaming 40 years after the last volcanic event.
As you will see in the photos below, this small hike was like landing on another planet:

Steaming lava at Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 0

Leirhnjukur & the Krafla Lava Fields

About the Krafla Lava Fields

In the last few centuries, two major periods of volcanic activity have occurred, the former in the Myvatn fires 1724-1729, and the latter in the Krafla fires 1975-1984.
The Krafla Caldera (or Krafla lava fields) is 10km long and 2km deep.

Leirhnjúkur geology & trail

What is called Leirhnjukur is an area of the Krafla caldera around 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”. 

There are 2 trails around the area starting from the carpark. The small loop is nice but the geothermal features might disappoint.
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.
This is why this location is first on my list of top 5 things to see in Myvatn.

Leirhnjúkur geology

How to pronounce Leirhnjúkur

To facilitate the reading of this article, you can listen to the pronunciation of Leirhnjukur here.

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning Tips and Map - Leirhnjukur Iceland

Where is Leirhnjukur in Iceland?

  • North Iceland,
  • Close to Lake Myvatn
  • Reykjahlid (Lake Myvatn) to Leirhnjukur = 20min drive
  • Akureyri to Leirhnjukur = 1h30 drive
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented
Map Leirhnjukur Iceland lava field

Map - Leirhnjukur in Iceland

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 Leirhnjukur

  • You need a rental car
  • No public transportation
  • Rare are the tours visiting it
  • From Myvatn, drive East on Road 1 for 6 km. Then turn left 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.

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

Leirhnjukur hiking Trail & map

  • Small loop (1h) - the first half of small loop is a boardwalk 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.
  • Amenities: toilets at the parking
Leirhnjukur trail Iceland

Leirhnjukur - Trail map

Leirhnjukur in Winter

The lava field of Leirhnjukur is less accessible in Winter.
The poles indicating the path can disappear under the fresh snow before it melts, and then you don't know where you can walk or not for your soles not to melt...

Staying in the area

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 stay in Iceland


Walk from the parking of the Leirhnjukur Lava Fields

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

The sheets of lava are cracked and superposing.

Walk to Leirhnjukur lava field, North Iceland

The rhyolite formation (593 meter above sea level) has a very contrasting color with the dark soil of the lava.

Walk to Leirhnjukur lava field, North Iceland Photo 2

Remember to stay on the walking path and to look behind you. It is fascinating!

Walk to Leirhnjukur lava field, North Iceland Photo 3

The pools at Leirhnjukur mountain

After an easy walk from the carpark, a boardwalk appears. It takes you to the geothermal area on the side of the rhyolite mountain.
The main feature on the small loop is the deep with colorful pools.
The boardwalk goes 3/4 around them so you can see them from different angles..

Leirhnjukur boardwalk

Leirhnjukur boardwalk

As often in a geothermal area, the colors are fascinating. I especially liked the view with the Viti crater, and Krafla, higher in the background.
The colors are simply fascinating. They depend on the temperature and bacteria that live inside.

Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 1

Here are some zoomed shot of the pools:

Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 2
Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 3

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


The fuming lava field

As I wrote earlier, my favorite part was walking in the lava that was still fuming. It was an incredible experience, and I took all my time walking the loop, discovering interesting rock formations.
On this section of the hiking trail, there are no boardwalks. Little poles indicate the path to follow to avoid melting the sole of your shoes.

Steaming lava at Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 1
Fuming lava Leirhnjukur Iceland

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Other geological features of the Leihrnjukur hiking trail

Part of the small loop goes across the rhyolite hill where you can see strange colors: some features are very white, others red, many dark and grass still manages to strive!

Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 4

Along the way I found many fissures. I love photographing them. I think this one looks very impressive.

Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 5

And the shape of the lava can also be mesmerizing:

Leirhnjukur geothermal area, North Iceland, photo 6

Surreal landscapes

This was taken on my way back. The lava has created here some soft shapes. In the background are Viti and Krafla.

Surreal landscape at Leirhnjukur, North Iceland

But it feels like another planet everywhere!

POst apocalypse
Leirhnjúkur red rocks

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

Other attractions in the area

Consider visiting:

  • Very close to the lava field is the Krafla Viti crater - 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
  • The Asbyrgi canyon
  • 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
  • The 10 best lava caves in Iceland - read article
  • The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland - read article
  • The Golden Circle - read article
  • The Snaefellsnes peninsula - read article

And keep track of your own trip!

Iceland road trip Journal

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sean says

    October 13, 2018 at 1:32 PM

    another fantastic article i’ve used to help plan my trip!

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      October 13, 2018 at 7:54 PM

      Thanks. Glad it is useful 🙂

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