Capital Region · Iceland
Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is a deep, eerie lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, surrounded by volcanic mountains and black sand beaches — one of Iceland's most mysterious and atmospheric landscapes.
About Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is a deep, eerie lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, surrounded by volcanic mountains and black sand beaches — one of Iceland's most mysterious and atmospheric landscapes.
History & Background
The lake sits in a volcanic caldera on the Reykjanes Ridge and has no visible outlet — water drains away through fissures in the volcanic rock below. Following a major earthquake in 2000, cracks opened in the lake bed and the water level dropped dramatically over several years, shrinking the lake significantly. The surrounding lava fields are hauntingly beautiful, and the lake has a reputation for being one of Iceland's most photogenic and otherworldly landscapes.
Key Facts
- ✔No visible outlet — water drains through volcanic fissures
- ✔Lake level dropped significantly after 2000 earthquake
- ✔Deepest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula
- ✔Surrounded by black volcanic sand beaches
- ✔Located within the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark
