Hike
Hard
Víti Crater
📍 Highlands
📖 Description
Víti "Hell" is an explosion crater lake near Askja, filled with opaque milky-blue geothermal water at around 25°C warm enough to swim in. The 4WD journey through the Ódáðahraun lava desert takes hours, passing through one of the most desolate landscapes on Earth. Bathing in the crater while surrounded by black volcanic mountains is one of Iceland's most surreal experiences.
🗺️ Location
📋 Information
Region
📍 Highlands
Category
Hike
Difficulty
Hard
Best season
🗓 Summer (July–August)
Drive from Reykjavik
🚗 ~6.5 hours (4WD required via F88)
Parking
🅿️ Car park at the Askja caldera trailhead. 4WD essential the F88 crosses multiple glacial rivers. Free.
Coordinates
65.0483, -16.7483