Leirhnjúkur Mudpots

Leirhnjúkur is located in the Krafla volcanic system, just south of Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. It sits within a massive caldera that is still highly geothermally active.

The Krafla Fires were a series of eruptive volcanic rifting events that lasted from 1975 to 1984. This volcanic activity dramatically expanded and superheated the geothermal features, creating new fissures and mudpots in the Leirhnjúkur area.

Yes, there is a popular hiking trail that takes visitors directly through the geothermal field, passing by steaming fumaroles and thick, bubbling clay pools. The trail features boardwalks over the most dangerous areas but transitions to bare rock paths.

While the area features boiling mud and cracked earth that is extremely hot just beneath the surface, it is safe for tourists who follow the marked paths. The ground outside the trails can be unstable and brittle, making straying from the route hazardous.