14 Great Issues To Do Round Mývatn, Iceland (+ Map & Ideas)

Lake Mývatn, Iceland is an space wealthy in geological uniqueness and pure wonders. Effervescent mudpots, steaming lava fields, and ferocious waterfalls reveal a land nonetheless being fashioned. Right here’s our information to all the most effective issues to do within the Mývatn space.

Mývatn is an space within the north of Iceland bursting with geological richness.

Centred round a shallow lake of the identical identify, Mývatn is an lively volcanic space with a panorama that continues to be fashioned with uncommon twists. As one of many few wetland areas in Iceland, water and lava mix at Mývatn with astounding results.

Stroll over still-warm lava fields in direction of surreal landscapes, hike by way of distinctive shapes fashioned from underwater lava and examine enormous fissures within the earth’s crust. Swim in elegant pure swimming pools and discover effervescent mud pots, steaming vents and basalt columns with acoustic powers.

Add whale-watching in Husavík and among the greatest waterfalls in Iceland and you will note why so many individuals come right here.

There’s no city as such at Mývatn, only a assortment of accommodations and some providers. However, it’s a terrific base on any journey to Iceland to discover a really distinctive but consistently altering space.

Listed here are some nice issues to do in Mývatn, Iceland.

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MÝVATN MAP

Mývatn covers a broad space of pure sights surrounding the lake with a number of providers comparable to fuel stations, some impartial eating places and a number of other accommodations dotted round. As this a part of north central Iceland is sort of distant, Mývatn is an effective base for exploring the broader space on day journeys.

You’ll be able to go to Mývatn on our Ring Street itinerary.

THINGS TO DO IN MYVATN, ICELAND

1 – SKÚTUSTADAGÍGAR PSEUDO CRATERS

Pseudo craters are strange-looking pure formations resembling big pimples within the earth’s crust. They’re fashioned when scorching lava flows over a wetland and boils the water. The steam created from this course of prompted explosions which created clusters of pseudo-craters.

The pseudo craters at Lake Mývatn had been fashioned 2,300 years in the past and are among the largest on the planet.

One of the best ways to see the pseudo-craters is to take the beautiful path across the Skútustadagígar Pond. It’s round one hour of straightforward strolling, visits probably the most attention-grabbing of the Mývatn pseudo craters and has nice views of the lake.

2 – KÁLFASTRÖND

Kálfaströnd is a farm with marked strolling routes by way of a birch forest with attention-grabbing lava formations. The two.1-kilometre circuit ought to solely take round 35 minutes. The path may be very straightforward to comply with and contains a number of secluded spots for a scenic picnic

The intriguing and different panorama on the hike is prime habitat for Harlequin, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Golden Plover and loads of geese. So bird-watchers ought to convey their binoculars.

3 – DIMMUBORGIR

Dimmuborgir is an ideal instance of the weird landscapes that encompass the Mývatn space. Fashioned by the distinctive geological circumstances, excessive pillars of lava have created unusual shapes together with arches.

The realm was fashioned when a 2-kilometre pool of molten lava ultimately drained into Lake Mývatn. When steam from the boiling water percolated by way of the lava movement, it cooled into the shapes you see at Dimmuborgir at present.

As a result of method these lava buildings are fashioned, this phenomenon is normally discovered underneath the ocean. Mývatn is the one place the place you’ll be able to see them on dry land.

4 – HVERFJALL CRATER

Hverfjall is a tephra cone volcano close to Mývatn which is formed like a large stadium. Seen from miles round, it’s one of the outstanding options of the Lake Mývatn space.

The cone is 1 kilometre in diameter and 396 metres excessive, forming a large black cone and a visible spectacle from an eruption that occurred round 4,500 years in the past.

There are two paths as much as the rim of the crater which offer glorious views of each the centre of the volcano and the encompassing space. One path goes up from the northwest facet and one from the south. It takes round 20 minutes to hike as much as the highest. As soon as up there, spend so long as you want exploring the rim.

5 – GRJÓTAGJÁ CAVE & FISSURE

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave that shot to prominence after the love scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte from Sport of Thrones was filmed on this small, attention-grabbing house.

The cave incorporates a thermal pool which for years was thought-about one of many prime scorching springs in Iceland. Nevertheless, after the close by Krafla volcanic system erupted 9 instances between 1975 and 1984 the water within the cave boiled to harmful temperatures. The water ultimately cooled, however the temperature has since change into unstable, and swimming is not permitted.

Nonetheless, Grjótagjá remains to be a really attention-grabbing place to go to round Mývatn. Don’t miss the massive fissure, greatest seen from above the cave which you’ll see stretching in direction of Hverfjall.

6 – HVERIR

The burnt-orange panorama of Hverir – utterly naked of all vegetation – is without doubt one of the highlights of a go to to the Mývatn space.

Vents within the earth’s crust, referred to as fumaroles, expel volcanic gases and vapours dramatically into the air. Massive mud pots bubble and gurgle, ejecting gray splatters onto the orange-red earth. Boiling rivers lower throughout the barren panorama.

It’s a captivating place to go to that feels such as you’re strolling on the floor of Mars. Situated proper by the Ring Street, 6 kilometres east of Lake Mývatn, it’s a totally worthwhile cease on any Iceland itinerary.

7 – KRAFLA

With 29 eruptions underneath its belt, Krafla is without doubt one of the most lively volcanoes in Iceland.

The caldera is 10 kilometres vast, however the fissure extends for 90 kilometres. Contained in the fissure zone, Viti Crater (to not be confused with the Viti at Askja) with its emerald-green lake is the showpiece of this unbelievable pure phenomenon.

Krafla is the pressure that causes the close by Grjótagjá Sizzling Springs to swing throughout a risky temperature vary.  With liquid rock simply 2 kilometres beneath the earth’s floor, it’s a novel supply of energy that Iceland has been harvesting since 1977.

Along with the Viti Crater, the close by Leirhnjukur Lava Discipline can be an attention-grabbing factor to do in Mývatn. Situated throughout the intensive caldera, a mountaineering path twists and turns by way of the nonetheless steaming lava discipline because it passes effervescent mud-pots, fumaroles and colourful mosses.

8 – DETTIFOSS

Dettifoss is a strong waterfall, 77 kilometres (1 hour, 20 minutes) from Mývatn. Dropping 44 metres right into a slender canyon, it’s the biggest waterfall by quantity in Iceland and one of the highly effective in Europe.

The falls are fed from the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier. The west facet of Dettifoss is the best entry level with a paved street from the Ring Street and a big automobile park. There’s an higher and decrease viewpoint and you’ll anticipate to get moist at each of them. 

It’s a spectacular sight and one of the spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. In the event you’re primarily based round Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss is a good day journey.

9 – HÚSAVÍK

Húsavík is the whale capital of Iceland. Situated simply 50 minutes from Mývatn, it’s the proper day journey to identify one of many 23 species of whales and huge colony of puffins which might be usually seen right here. Actually in July whale recognizing is so frequent it’s nearly assured.

Whale recognizing excursions depart from the harbour which, because the oldest settlement in Iceland, can be an attention-grabbing place to walk. Don’t miss the very photogenic vibrant wood homes alongside the water.

In the event you don’t make it on a whale recognizing tour, go to the life-size replicas on the Whale Museum, residence to a 22-metre-long Blue Whale skeleton.

Húsavík can be well-known because the hometown of Lars and Sigrit from the Eurovision Movie: The Story of Hearth Saga.

10 – GOÐAFOSS

Goðafoss is a large horseshoe-shaped waterfall 45 kilometres from Mývatn and one of many greatest waterfalls in Iceland.

The falls are between 9 metres and 17 metres excessive and set in a fascinating location as they curve round low-lying lava fields. The water is embellished with a blue-green sample placing Goðafoss as a contender for probably the most lovely waterfalls anyplace.

There are viewing platforms on each the west and east facet of the falls. You’ll be able to simply stroll between them in about 20 to half-hour.

11 – MÝVATN NATURE BATHS

The Mývatn Nature Baths is a milky blue lagoon pool, heated by a close-by scorching spring. Though it’s a man-made pool, the lagoon is ready overlooking a barren panorama with the services properly mixing into the environment.

The temperature modifications barely as you progress across the pool, however averages a delightfully nice 96°F – 104°F (36°C – 40°C).

There are 2 steam baths, a scorching tub, a separate pool for teenagers, a café and a swim up bar the place you’ll be able to order alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

It’s a terrific steadiness between the Blue Lagoon which is pricey and might get very busy, and the utterly pure scorching springs, like these within the Westfjords, which don’t have any services in any respect. Advance reserving is advisable – myvatnnaturebaths.is/

12 – ÁSBYRGI

Ásbyrgi is a novel horseshoe-shaped canyon that stretches 3.5 kilometres lengthy and 1.1 kilometres vast. It’s a small nook of the dramatic Vatnajökull Nationwide Park, and one of the attention-grabbing areas to go to on a Ring Street itinerary.

The 100-metre-high curved canyon partitions are a sight to see, however the surreal side of Ásbyrgi is the thick woodland that surrounds them. In an in any other case barren nation, Ásbyrgi is a haven for numerous species of timber. The commonest is birch, however you’ll additionally discover spruce, larch and pine.

There are a number of mountaineering paths to discover the world together with one to Lake Botnstjörn and The Island, a 25-metre rock formation that divides Ásbyrgi in half.

13 – ASKJA

Askja is a big volcano located within the Dyngjufjöll mountain vary which is a part of the Vatnajökull Glacier Nationwide Park within the Iceland Highlands. Its fundamental caldera was fashioned over 10,000 years in the past on the finish of the final Ice Age when, throughout an eruption, the roof of the massive magma chamber collapsed in on itself inflicting a melancholy.

The end result was an unlimited 45 sq. kilometre caldera, 8 kilometres in size.

It’s a difficult drive that requires a 4×4 which we cowl in our information to Askja. However excursions additionally depart from Myvatn so you’ll be able to take pleasure in this particular place with out taking up the drive your self.

Whichever method you make it to Askja, it’s well worth the effort. The colorful rocky partitions are nestled beside a youthful crater with steep orange and yellow sides and a milky geothermal pool. All set underneath the Vatnajökull Glacier, Askja is a magical place.

14 – HLJÓÐAKLETTAR

Hljóðaklettar is a group of basalt columns stretching in a number of instructions creating swirls, spirals, roses and arches which might be identified to supply haunting acoustic results. It’s round 1 hour’s drive from Mývatn within the Vatnajökull Nationwide Park.

There are two mountaineering trails which begin on the car parking zone. The blue path is a 1-kilometre path that can take round half-hour. The pink path circles the entire space and contains the most effective photographic spots; this could take round 2 to three hours to finish.

Preserve a watch out for the fortress-like Kastali, the large Tröllið and the Kirkjan or church. From Mývatn, HljóA Full Information to Mývatn, Icelandðaklettar is accessed by way of the 862 which is closed in winter. If you’re a fan of basalt columns then you shouldn’t miss the outstanding sight of Studlagil Canyon a number of hours drive to the east.

WHERE TO STAY IN MÝVATN

Most accommodations in Myvatn are unfold alongside the lakeshore the place you’ll additionally discover a number of different necessities comparable to a small grocery store, gas stations and a few eating places. For extra suggestions, learn our information on the place to remain in Iceland.

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