Hnausapollur

About Hnausapollur

Hnausapollur is a round crater lake of deep blue water in the Fjallabak highlands, and many drivers heading to Landmannalaugar pass within a few hundred meters of it without noticing. Locals also call it Bláhylur, the blue pool, which describes it well on a clear day.

The crater formed in an explosive eruption when rising magma met groundwater, leaving a steep-sided bowl that later filled with water. The lake covers roughly 30 hectares, and its dark walls of red and black scoria make the color look even stronger.

You reach it on F208, the northern Fjallabak road, about 9 kilometers north of Landmannalaugar. A short track leads from the road to a parking area on the crater rim, so the first view takes almost no effort. From Reykjavík, the drive takes about 3 hours.

For the best angle, follow the path along the west side of the crater and climb the steep hill at its northern end. The loop to the top and back is under 2 kilometers and takes about 45 minutes, with loose, slippery ground near the summit. If you only want photos from the rim, 15 minutes is enough.

F208 is an F-road, so you need a 4x4, and like other highland roads it opens only in summer once the snow clears. This northern stretch has no river crossings before the Landmannalaugar turnoff, but always check road.is before setting out. Without a 4x4, a guided Landmannalaugar day trip that stops here is the easier option.