Volcano · The Highlands
Askja
stratovolcano situated in a remote part of the central highlands of Iceland

Before you go
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Warm up after: pools & lagoons with a visitor pass
Passes from ISK 7,900. Lagoons cost extra per visit.
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The best sights in each region, and where to soak afterwards.
Quick facts
- Askja is 397 km from Reykjavík by road, about 6 h 39 min by car. The nearest road is about 4.3 km away.
- Askja rises to 1,516 metres above sea level.
- Askja is a volcano in the Icelandic Highlands.
The facts
| Elevation | 1,516 m |
|---|---|
| From Reykjavík | 397 km by road, about 6 h 39 min |
| Region | The Highlands |
| Coordinates | 65.0300° N, 16.7500° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
The nearest road is about 4.3 km away.
Questions people ask
What is Askja?
Askja is a volcano in the Icelandic Highlands. It rises to 1,516 metres above sea level.
Where is Askja?
Askja is at 65.0300° N, 16.7500° W, in the Icelandic Highlands. The nearest other sight on our map is Öskjuvatn, a lake about 197 m away in a straight line.
How far is Askja from Reykjavík?
Askja is 397 km from Reykjavík by road, about 6 h 39 min by car. The nearest road is about 4.3 km away.
How do I get to Askja?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Askja, not to a search for its name.
Does it cost anything to visit Askja?
We have not verified a fee for Askja. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
ÖskjuvatnLake · 197 mPublic domain · Photo: Michael Ryan
Víti AskjaLake · 2.2 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Rémih
WattsfellMountain · 4.2 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Rémih
Askja hiking trailsHike · 4.2 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Rémih
DrekagilCanyon · 6.9 kmCC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo: Nige from near Thetford, Norfolk, UK
VikrafellMountain · 13 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Rémih
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
- Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.