A massive volcanic caldera in the remote Highlands, home to the warm, milky-blue Víti crater lake. Famous as a NASA training ground for Apollo astronauts.
Story & Legend
Accessible only in high summer (July-September), this remote moonscape in Vatnajökull National Park requires a serious 4x4 adventure. Askja is a place of devastation. A massive eruption in 1875 poisoned the land, killing livestock across Iceland and sparking a wave of emigration to North America. NASA used this lunar landscape to train the Apollo astronauts for the moon landing. Today, you can swim in the warm, milky blue water of the Víti ('Hell') crater.
Geology & Science
Askja is a caldera (a collapsed volcano) within the Dyngjufjöll mountains. The main lake, Öskjuvatn, is the second deepest in Iceland (217m). The smaller explosion crater, Víti, was formed during the 1875 event. The water is naturally heated to around 25°C (77°F).
Safety
This is REMOTE. Route F88 involves crossing the Lindaá river, which ruins many rental cars annually. If you are not experienced, take the longer route F905/F910. The path down to the swimming crater is steep and muddy. If the water level is high, the temperature might be too cold to swim.
Photo Tip
From the rim, you can capture both the massive blue lake and the small milky crater in one shot. Use a wide-angle lens (14-24mm). If you hike to the dragon-shaped rock formation, you get a great foreground silhouette against the caldera.
Insider Tip
Do not attempt the drive to Askja if you are inexperienced with river crossings. Route F88 has notorious, deep glacial rivers that routinely flood rental cars. The longer F905/F910 route is generally safer.
Best Time to Visit
August. The highland roads to Askja open very late in the summer (usually mid-July) due to heavy snow and harsh conditions.
What to Bring
Full winter gear, even in August. The caldera sits at a high altitude, and snowstorms are common year-round. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to hike down into the warm Víti crater lake.
