8 Best Sights in Askja Route, The Highlands

A large caldera in the center of a volcanic system with many fissures, Askja is one of the most stunning sights in all of Iceland. Although it has a history stretching back 700,000 years, the topography seen today—the pristine blue Öskjuvatn lake and Víti crater—is the result of a massive 1875 volcanic episode that produced more ash than any other in Iceland's history. It blanketed 3,861 square miles, wiping out livestock and forcing many to migrate to North America. The hike to Öskjuvatn lake and Víti crater is around 3 km (2 miles) from the Vikraborgir car park, where you'll also find well-maintained toilet facilities.

If you've seen postcards of Iceland, you might already be familiar with the beautiful symmetrical form of this 1,682-meter (5,518-foot) table mountain. Standing alone in the vast Ódáðahraun lava field, Herðubreið (meaning “the broad-shouldered”) is a national favorite and dubbed "Queen of the Icelandic Mountains."

A little piece of heaven can be found at Herðubreiðalindir, where the spring-fed river Lindaá waters wildflowers and lush vegetation. As one of the main stops on the Askja Trail, the area is home to a campsite and a rangers’ station, in addition to the charming little Þorsteinsskáli hut operated by Ferðafélag Akureyrar. There are some lovely short hikes around the oasis and a trail to what is believed to be the remains of a hide-out built by famous outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur. According to legend he sheltered here, in the winter of 1774, surviving on raw horse meat and angelica roots.

A relatively new addition to the desolate heart of Iceland’s northern interior, the Holuhraun lava field is the result of a six-month-long volcanic event that began in August 2014. By the time it was over it had produced Iceland’s most significant lava flow in over 200 years, with the 1,600-meter-long fissure spewing out enough lava to completely cover 85 square km (33 square miles). A marked trail leads through a small section of the lava field on the northern edge close to the parking area. The new lava is particularly sharp, so wear hiking boots (not sneakers) and be careful. To reach Holuhraun follow the F910 south of Askja. Stop at the rangers’ station at Drekagil first for safety information and more detailed directions.

A highlight of the Dyngjufjöll massif that surrounds the Askja caldera, the “Dragon Gorge” is a gnarly canyon that resembles a dragon from certain angles. When the river running through the canyon is shallow enough, a relatively short hike leads to a lovely waterfall. Drekagil is a basecamp for trails leading to Askja, Öskjuvatn, and Víti, with a mountain hut, a rangers' station, and camping facilities. There’s water available, but you’ll need to bring food supplies.

This remarkable 10,000-year-old crater, or “tuff ring,” was formed by the explosive meeting of red-hot magma and cold groundwater. Its shape, which is reminiscent of an amphitheatre, was put to good use as a shelter for horses before it was used as a location in the hit 2013 sci-fi film Oblivion starring Tom Cruise.

A rare instance of true beauty in the bleak highlands, this lake on the southern part of the Askja caldera formed when a magma chamber collapsed in on itself (a subsidence cauldron) after the devastating volcanic event of 1875. At approximately 220 meters (722 feet) deep, the lake is one of the deepest in Iceland and still growing.

On the other side of a narrow ridge from Öskjuvatn lake, Víti (meaning “hell”) was formed during the same 1875 eruption. With its milky-blue warm water, it's both a visual treat and an opportunity to take a dip in a geothermal pool of mineral-rich water. The trail down to the water is steep and can be slippery, so exercise caution. The water temperature is around 30°C (86°F) but is usually warmer in the middle. Beware of gravel and rocks falling from the sides. The hike to the Víti crater is around 3 km (2 miles) from the Vikraborgir car park—the same trail leading to Askja and Öskjuvatn.