Askja is a volcanic caldera system in the remote Icelandic Highlands, in the north-east of Iceland. It is a place of wide, empty ground, where the landscape looks more like the surface of the Moon than anything most visitors will have seen before.
What you will see
- Lava fields stretching across the caldera floor
- Crater lakes, including Víti, with its striking blue water
- Lunar-like terrain shaped by volcanic activity
Víti is the crater lake most visitors come to see. Its water is a vivid blue, and it is geothermally heated, so a dip in it can feel surprisingly warm. Swimming here is an unusual experience and one of the reasons Askja stays in people's memories.
Getting there
Askja is isolated, and the road in is a challenging journey that calls for a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The trip is part of the adventure: the drive takes you through the wild interior, and the reward is arriving at a landscape that feels untouched. Because of the distances and conditions, it suits travellers who are prepared for rough roads and a remote setting rather than a casual day out.
Is it worth the trip?
If you are drawn to dramatic volcanic scenery and enjoy wilderness travel, Askja offers something quite different from Iceland's more visited sites. It is a destination for those who are willing to make the effort, and who value quiet, open ground and the chance to swim in a crater lake far from the usual routes.