Krafla
28. October 2024
Hengifoss
8. November 2024
Mývatn area: a treasure trove of Iceland's natural beauty
Mývatn is a fascinating area located in the northern part of Iceland that offers a wealth of natural beauty. From dramatic volcanic craters to geothermal areas and crystal clear lakes, Mývatn is a place where the beauty of nature combines with its incredible power.
Even as we approached the area by car, we were fascinated by the beauty of the landscape. Even the drive itself was an attraction. We kept stopping at the side of the road to admire the changing landscape, its rawness and unbridled beauty.
Hverfjall Volcano dominates the whole area, but it is not the only one. Everywhere you look, you’ll see snow-capped mountain peaks or rising steam. We instantly fell in love with the place and couldn’t wait to explore it more closely.
Not only is the area full of beautiful places, but a walk around the lake itself will offer you plenty of experiences. With yellow-green moss all around the road, the red hills will remind you of Mars.
Krafla
Krafla is an active volcanic area that you’ll love for its dramatic terrain. Here you will see the Viti Crater with a small lake in the middle. During the summer, the water is turquoise in colour, but in winter it turns into a colourless ice-skating rink that you can’t get to. Its name means hell, and the landscape looks like it.
Krafla has experienced several volcanic eruptions, including the significant “Myvatn Fires” in the 18th century and a series of eruptions between 1975 and 1984. These events transformed the surrounding landscape into a barren area where you see only two colours for most of the year – white and black. Here and there, reddish-brown still appears. It appears like a moonscape without life.
Hverir
Hverir is a geothermal area that will amaze you with its otherworldly landscape. As you walk through, you will see steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pools that create an incredible scenery. Here, the soil is coloured in shades of red, orange and yellow, giving the place a unique look.
Sulfur’s smell will remind you that there is an incredible power lurking beneath the surface. Every step you take will draw you deeper into this unusual area. Hverir is a place where you can feel the true power of geothermal processes.
You will see steam and smoke billowing from various holes in the ground. Moving through this landscape is like walking on the surface of another planet.
Myvatn Lookout
You definitely can’t miss the lookout point, which is right next to Hverir. Bring your coffee or tea here, sit on one of the benches and enjoy the view.
Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes with plumes of smoke billowing from them, the lake will take your breath away. Just turn your head a little and you’ll see a completely different view.
With black and white volcanic landscapes and a huge volcano in the background, it evokes a rather desolate, lifeless landscape. In the background, however, you will see the high snow-capped peaks of the mountains.
Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir translates to dark castles. Volcanic lava fields will enchant you with bizarre formations. These formations are the result of volcanic eruptions that have created caves and arches.
Walking through this area is like entering another world. You will be amazed at how nature has managed to create such breathtaking formations. Every step in Dimmuborgir takes you deeper into this fascinating landscape. Here you will see different lava rock formations that look like dragons, churches, castles or demons.
From October onwards, you can also count on high snow and ice, which creates a perfect contrast with the black lava.
Grjótagjá - Mysterious cave with a hot spring
Grjótagjá is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the Mývatn area. Hidden in the volcanic landscape, this small lava cave catches your eye at first sight with its strange shape and mysterious atmosphere. Although it looks inconspicuous from the outside, just bend down and enter the narrow stone opening.
From the inside, it looks like it belongs in a fantasy movie. And actually it does. This cave is also well known to Game of Thrones fans, as some of the show’s scenes were filmed here. It’s a place where you can feel like you’re part of the movie world and admire the beauty of nature at the same time.
Inside, a turquoise pond awaits you, the colour of which changes according to the angle of the incident light. The water in the pond has a temperature of around 45 °C. This hot spring was once a popular bathing spot for locals, but bathing is now forbidden for safety reasons.
Grjótagjá has played an important place in the history of the area. Shepherds found protection from the Icelandic winds and cold here. Many used it as a natural bath where they could relax and recharge their batteries.
Mývatn Nature Baths - Relax in the embrace of nature
Mývatn Nature Baths are also known as the Blue Lagoon of the North. These thermal baths offer tranquillity and perfect relaxation. With turquoise water, which is rich in minerals, it is beneficial for the skin. As the temperature of the water hovers around a pleasant 36-40 °C, it is ideal for relaxing after a day exploring the area.
From the baths, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Mývatn Lake and the surrounding volcanic mountains. Unlike the bustling Blue Lagoon to the south, this place is quieter and offers a more intimate experience. And not only that.
Should you arrive in the afternoon, a truly wonderful evening awaits you. As the blue water blends beautifully with the setting sun, Martin discovered a heart-shaped stone. Through it, the sun’s rays slowly passed, creating an incredibly romantic atmosphere.
Höfði - A peaceful place on the shore of the lake
Höfði can be found on the shores of Mývatn Lake. It will enchant you with its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Strolling among the pine and birch trees will lead you to views of the small islands in the lake. Besides, the place is also famous for the many birds you can observe here.
One of the most beautiful moments is when you reach the viewpoints on the edge of the peninsula. From here you can see the iconic rock formations called Klasar and Kálfastrandavogar. These basalt towers rise from the surface of the lake like the sentinels of Höfði and are surrounded by the mirror-like reflection of the water.
Hverfjall - A perfect circle in the middle of the country
Hverfjall is a huge volcanic crater, which is one of the most interesting formations in the area due to its perfectly symmetrical shape. Climbing to the top is relatively easy and can be done by almost anyone who is in the mood for a bit of exercise.
If the volcano tempts you, you can hike to the top. You’ll get a glimpse inside the huge crater. The ascent route is well signposted but steep and takes about 20-30 minutes depending on your fitness level. Although the journey can be strenuous, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
You can see the crater from the whole Mývatn area. Its black and white colour and size are majestic and you just can’t miss it. Whether you decide to hike it or just admire it from the surrounding area, it will leave a deep impression on you.
Goðafoss - Waterfall of Gods
Goðafoss is a waterfall that has not only won the hearts of tourists, but also an important place in Icelandic history. Legend has it that around the year 1000, local chief Thorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw statues of pagan gods into the water as a sign of embracing Christianity. From that moment on, the waterfall was called the “Waterfall of Gods”.
Its semicircular shape and elegant falling streams of water create an image that is often likened to a work of art. Although the waterfall may be small, with water falling from only 12 metres, its beauty lies in its width. And not only that.
The Skjálfandafljót River, on which the waterfall is located, originates from the Vatnajökull Glacier. Perhaps because of this, the shade of the water is reminiscent of the caves that form on the glacier.
Dettifoss - The power of nature in its purest form
Dettifoss, known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, is where you will encounter the overwhelming power of nature. This colossus is 100 metres wide and the water falls from a height of 44 metres into the deep canyon of Jökulsárgljúfur. From a distance, you will hear a roar that will guide you to the place where the water rushes out of the river at a tremendous speed.
That is, if you’re lucky. You may find the waterfall shrouded in fog and you won’t be able to see anything from it. Only the sound of falling water will tell you its presence. Surroundings of the waterfall are rough and raw, full of black lava rocks that are covered with a thick blanket of snow.
Akureyri - the capital of the North
Akureyri, known as the capital of the north, is the second largest city in Iceland, located on the shores of the Eyjafjörður Fjord. This charming town offers a unique combination of culture, history and natural beauty.
In the centre of Akureyri, you’ll find colourful houses, small cafés and boutiques that give the city a welcoming atmosphere. Dominating the town is the iconic Akureyrarkirkja church with its beautiful view of the fjord.
Not only does the town have its own unique atmosphere, which lies not only in the fjord and the beautiful sunsets, but also in the picturesque traffic lights with hearts instead of the usual circles. 🙂
