Askja Volcano
Despite complicated access and the fact that it can only be visited during a few months of the year, the Askja Volcano is the main tourist attraction in the Icelandic Highlands.
The enormous, remote Askja Volcano is located in the centre of the Icelandic Highlands, north of the Vatnajökull Glacier.
Because of its location on the fault line that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Askja is one of the areas with the greatest volcanic activity in Iceland. In fact, an eruption in the late 19th century caused one of the greatest economic and demographic crises in Icelandic history. Today, the area is relatively calm in terms of volcanic activity, which allows the Askja caldera to be the most visited place in the Highlands next to Landmannalaugar. However, it's only accessible during the summer months in Iceland.
In addition to its impressive volcanic landscapes, Askja Volcano also has natural hot springs with toasty waters reaching almost 30ºC where bathing is permitted within certain regulations.
How to visit Askja Volcano?
It's possible to reach Askja by road, but only if you've rented a 4x4, as off-road driving–sometimes through rivers–is necessary. If you've rented a regular car but still want to visit, the best option is to book an organised tour so you can sit back and enjoy the trip: Askja Volcano Day Trip from Lake Myvatn.
