Askja Caldera & Highlands Adventure
Description
A remote North Iceland highland adventure to Askja, with volcanic desert, caldera scenery and the wild interior beyond Lake Mývatn.
This is North Iceland at its wildest: a long highland expedition where silence, volcanic scale and the journey across the desert are as memorable as the caldera itself.
Askja caldera, Herðubreið and Herðubreiðarlindir, Krafla volcanic area, Lake Mývatn create a richly varied experience designed to make the landscapes of the north feel vivid, accessible and genuinely memorable.
Itinerary
Askja caldera
A volcanic world on an immense highland scale
Journey deep into Iceland’s interior to a vast caldera shaped by explosive eruptions and mountain collapse. The walk towards Öskjuvatn and the pale Víti crater reveals a landscape of silence, dark desert and enormous horizons, rewarding the long highland road with one of Iceland’s most profound volcanic experiences.
Herðubreið and Herðubreiðarlindir
The queen of Icelandic mountains and a desert oasis
See the perfectly formed table mountain rise above the Ódáðahraun wilderness before pausing at the green springs of Herðubreiðarlindir. The contrast between symmetrical mountain, black lava and clear-water oasis is extraordinary, enriched by stories of outlaws who once sought refuge in this remote interior.
Krafla volcanic area
Crater colour and landscapes shaped by recent eruptions
Explore a restless volcanic system of dark lava, vivid crater lakes and steaming ground. Krafla’s eruptions continued into the late twentieth century, so the landscape feels strikingly young; black flows, mineral colour and broad views reveal how quickly North Iceland can be reshaped by fire beneath the surface.
Lake Mývatn
A volcanic lake alive with colour and birdlife
Shallow blue water, green wetlands, black lava and crater-shaped hills meet around Lake Mývatn, creating one of Iceland’s richest volcanic landscapes. The lake is internationally celebrated for birdlife, yet its greatest appeal is the constantly changing contrast between water, lava and open northern sky.
What is included
- Highland 4x4 transport
- Professional local driver-guide
- Full-day Askja route
- Scheduled sightseeing stops
What do I need to bring
- Warm layered clothing
- Waterproof and windproof outerwear
- Sturdy hiking footwear
- Water bottle and packed food unless otherwise stated
- Camera or phone
Good to know
Meeting point: Arnarnes, near Lake Mývatn. Follow the exact location and departure time shown on your voucher.
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- The tour normally returns between 19:00 and 20:00.
- Highland access and the exact route depend on road, river and weather conditions.
- Bring food and drinks for a long day in a remote area.
Highlights
- Askja caldera
- Herðubreið and Herðubreiðarlindir
- Krafla volcanic area
- Lake Mývatn
Askja Caldera Classic Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
Askja lies deep in the remote highlands. The rough approach, stops around Herðubreið and the walk into the caldera make the journey a full expedition rather than a short sightseeing loop.