Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanes Peninsula lies just a stone’s throw from the capital area. It takes only about half an hour to drive from downtown Reykjavik to another–almost magical–world at Kleifarvatn.
The lake is the largest on Reykjanes at 10 km², ranking as the 19th largest and the third deepest lake in Iceland. No rivers flow into or out of Kleifarvatn, and the water level can fluctuate by as much as four meters, as the porous ground in and around the lake rests on the Krisuvik volcanic zone — one of six volcanic belts on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
A geothermal area lies on the southern shore of the lake, and many visitors head to
Seltun, the hot spring area just south of Kleifarvatn.
Photos & Text : Páll Stefánsson
Reykjanes 13/08/2025 – A7R IV, RX1R II : FE 2.8/100mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z
