Ljotipollur

Ljotipollur is a maar about a kilometre across whose rim is deep rust red, a colour that comes from oxidised scoria and reads violently against the blue water and green moss. It belongs to the Veidivotn fissure eruption of 1477, one of the larger explosive events of the last millennium in Iceland, which opened a line of craters across this part of the highlands. The name means ugly puddle, which is a joke at the lake's expense - it is one of the more photographed spots in the area. Brown trout live in it and it is fished under permit from the local commons.

What you actually see

• A rust red crater rim - oxidised scoria against blue water.
• Part of the 1477 fissure - one of the larger explosive eruptions of the millennium.
• A name that undersells it - the ugly puddle is anything but.
• Trout in the lake - fished under permit from the commons.

When to go

July to early September while the F-roads are open. Two hours.

Honest expectations

The approach is an F-road, which small hire cars are not insured for. The rim is loose scoria and the descent to the water is steeper than it looks. Colours flatten badly under cloud. No facilities.

Nearby

Landmannalaugar is south; Veidivotn lies north on the same fissure.