Viti is a crater lake in the highlands of Northeast Iceland, in open volcanic desert beside the larger crater lake of Askja. The water at the bottom is milky blue, and it is seen from the rim above. The road climbs to the crater itself, so the walk from the car park to the top is short, and a path circles the whole rim. People bathe in the lake. Getting here means a long gravel road with several river crossings, and a 4x4.
Viti Crater Lake
Local name: Víti
People swim in the milky blue lake at the bottom of the crater, in the middle of a volcanic desert.
- Entrance
- Free
- Accessibility
- Limited (remote highland, steep crater descent)
- Parking
- Car park near the top of the crater.
- Difficulty
- Short uphill walk from the car park to the rim; the path around the crater is level and easy.
- Transport
- 4x4 on F-roads, or a guided super-jeep tour
- Advance booking
- Recommended for guided tours
- Address
- Askja, 660 Mývatn, Iceland
What makes it special
The lake lies at the bottom of a crater, and the water is milky blue. The view is from the rim, straight down onto it. A path runs all the way round the top, so the lake can be seen from every side. Viti sits in the middle of the highlands, in open volcanic desert, beside the larger crater lake of Askja. People bathe in the water inside the crater. Fog is common out here and can fill the bowl completely. Crowds are not a problem: the drive in does the filtering.
Good to know
- Vehicle: the road in is long gravel with several river crossings, from both the south and the north. A 4x4 is needed.
- Fog: cloud and fog settle over the crater and can hide the lake completely.
- Swimming: people bathe in the milky blue water at the bottom of the crater.
- Nearby: Askja, a larger crater lake, lies right next to Viti.
- Crowds: the crater does not get crowded, and there is room on the path round the rim.
Getting there
The road runs right up to the crater, which is what makes Viti easier than the other craters around here — most of those have to be walked up. The car park sits near the top. From there a short uphill walk reaches the rim, and a level path continues all the way round the crater above the lake.
Best time to visit
Better: a clear day.
Avoid: low cloud.
The whole visit is a view downwards from the rim, and fog fills the crater and takes that view with it. In bright weather the water reads a strong milky blue from the top. The crater stays quiet whatever the day.
Sun & daylight
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Viti Crater Lake on the map
The approach road crosses several unbridged rivers, on both the southern and the northern route, and is passable only in a 4x4. An ordinary car will not get through.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a 4x4 to reach Viti?
Yes. The road in is long and gravel, and there are several river crossings on both the southern and the northern approach.How far is the walk from the car park?
Short. The road climbs to the crater, and a brief uphill walk from the car park reaches the rim. A level path then runs all the way round.Can you swim in the lake?
People do bathe in the milky blue water inside the crater.What else is here?
Askja, a larger crater lake, lies right beside Viti. Both sit in the middle of the highlands.Does it get crowded?
No. The crater stays quiet, and the path round the rim spreads people out.