A Hidden Gem Near Landmannalaugar
Just a few kilometers from Landmannalaugar lies Bláhylur, also known as Ljótipollur, a volcanic crater lake of striking beauty. Its name means “the ugly puddle,” but the truth could not be more different.
Surrounded by deep red and black slopes, the calm turquoise water creates a breathtaking contrast, especially under the changing Icelandic light.
This remote lake, located within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, is accessible only during the summer months. It is one of those rare places where silence feels alive, where the wind sweeps softly across the surface and the clouds drift lazily over the surrounding peaks.
A Natural Masterpiece Formed by Fire and Time
Bláhylur was born from a volcanic eruption more than a thousand years ago, when lava and water met to create this crater of surreal colors. Today, it stands as a quiet witness to Iceland’s geological power and timeless beauty.
The reflections on its surface shift with every hour of the day — turquoise at noon, sapphire in the evening, and almost silver under the midnight sun.
Hiking around the crater is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. The trail offers panoramic views over the rhyolite mountains, the lava fields, and the mossy valleys below. On a clear day, the Hekla volcano can be seen in the distance, standing proudly among the Highlands.
A Place for Silence and Contemplation
Bláhylur is not a crowded destination. Its isolation is part of its charm. Standing at the rim of the crater, you feel the vastness of Iceland all around you — the silence, the light, and the immensity of space.
It is a landscape that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply look.
Between fire and ice, Bláhylur embodies the essence of Iceland: pure, powerful, and profoundly peaceful.
