Lakagígar — often called Laki — is an alignment of volcanic craters situated in Iceland's Highlands, within Vatnajökull National Park. Formed during one of humanity's largest effusive eruptions (1783-1784), this lava field spanning over 560 km² remains one of Iceland's most striking volcanic landscapes. Access is seasonal and demands serious preparation.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: F206 track (Lakavegur), reserved for high-clearance 4×4 vehicles; the track crosses several river fords.
• Season: the F206 is generally passable from late June through early September depending on snow melt; check road conditions on road.is before departing.
• Duration: plan a full day from Route 1; camping on-site is possible at the Fagrifoss/Laki campground.
• Footwear: sturdy hiking boots mandatory; volcanic scoria is razor-sharp.
• Rules: protected site — do not remove rocks, stay on marked trails to preserve the moss.
• Accessibility: severely limited due to rugged volcanic terrain.

What to see

The site comprises approximately 130 craters aligned along a 27 km fissure. The main crater, Laki, peaks at 818 m and offers panoramic views across the entire lava field. Green moss blankets the black basalt flows, creating striking visual contrast. Fagrifoss waterfall, nearby, plunges into a gorge carved through volcanic rock.

History and context

Between June 1783 and February 1784, the Lakagígar fissure released approximately 14 km³ of lava and immense quantities of sulfur dioxide. The toxic cloud decimated Iceland's livestock and triggered famine — the "Haze Hardship" (Móðuharðindin) — killing roughly a quarter of Iceland's population. Sulfur emissions reached Europe and contributed to severe winters across the Northern Hemisphere. The eruption remains among the deadliest of the modern era.

Highlights of your visit

Ascending Laki crater

A marked trail ascends the main crater's summit. The climb takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. From the top, views encompass the crater alignment, lava fields, and on clear days, Vatnajökull glacier to the northeast.

The lava field and its formations

The lava flows display rope-like basalt structures (pahoehoe) and blocky formations (aa). Icelandic moss, extremely fragile, carpets the surfaces — each step off-trail can destroy decades of growth.

Fagrifoss waterfall

A few kilometers from the main parking area, Fagrifoss plunges into a gorge with columnar basalt walls. Less visited than the south's major waterfalls, it deserves a stop on your journey.

Photography tips

Raking light at dawn and dusk (in summer, the sun stays low even at midnight) accentuates the texture of scoria and lava flows. From Laki crater's summit, a wide-angle lens captures the crater alignment. Green moss against black basalt works well with a slightly warm white balance. Drones are subject to national park regulations — check with Vatnajökull National Park before flying.

Location and access

Lakagígar sits in the western portion of Vatnajökull National Park, within Iceland's southern Highlands. The most common entry point is Route 1 (Ring Road) near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, from which the F206 track heads north. Distance between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the site is approximately 50 km of track. No public transportation serves the site; a 4×4 vehicle is essential. Organized excursions from Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Reykjavík provide access without a suitable vehicle.

In the surrounding area

• Vatnajökull Glacier — Europe's largest glacier, visible from Laki's summit on clear days.
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur — Route 1 village, logistics hub for supplies and lodging before the track.
• Eldgjá — another giant volcanic fissure accessible via F233, landscape comparable to Laki but less crowded.
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon — spectacular gorge to the west, accessible from Route 1.