Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir: Gateway to a world of natural wonders

Dimmuborgir is a unique lava field in the north of Iceland near Lake Mývatn. Translated from Icelandic, it means dark city and is probably related to the fact according to legends that trolls used to hide here. Indeed, this place is worthy of its name. Here, solidified black lava has created beautiful natural phenomena. Can you find a dragon, a cathedral or a dark castle?

If you venture here, you’re in for a fascinating walk among bizarrely shaped lava formations, and the only limit is your imagination. We enjoyed it to the fullest and pushed ourselves to increasingly greater extents.
What would you say to a giant with foam coming out of his mouth from anger? Rocks form the eyes, nose and mouth. Can’t you see them? Nevermind, maybe the rocks will remind you of something else. But you’ll certainly be immersed in a world of games and magic.

3 different routes in Dimmuborgir

There are several well-marked trails that will guide you through this magical environment. Right at the entrance you will find a map to help you choose your path. All are well signed, except for the blue one in the middle. We didn’t even find it at first.
The red route is the longest, but also the least interesting. On the shortest yellow one you will see almost nothing. For the most beautiful formations you should follow the blue trail, which runs in the middle of the lava field. Although it is the most scenic, it is also the most challenging.

First we headed along the red trail to Kirkju, where the famous cathedral is located, and from there we returned along the blue trail.

How does it look like here?

Dimmuborgir is a tangle of bizarre lava formations, rock columns and caves. Some formations resemble the ruins of ancient castles, while others resemble towers or statues. These dark, rugged walls of lava rock contrast with the lush vegetation, which can be seen not only in summer but also in winter. From October onwards, you can also count on high snow and ice, which creates the perfect contrast with the black lava.

To make matters more exciting, you’ll be accompanied throughout by the magnificent Hverfjall Volcano, which dominates the entire Mývatn area.

Not only is Dimmuborgir a geological wonder, but also a place where Icelandic mythology comes alive. According to legend, the area is the gateway to the underworld and home to mythical creatures such as trolls and Icelandic Christmas elves.

Individual formations on the red route

The Dimmuborgir lava field is famous for its dramatic formations. Among the most famous is the Kirkjan (Church), a natural lava cave whose shape resembles a cathedral.

Be sure to go explore the cave from the inside and pay attention to its walls. You can observe exactly how the lava flowed and shaped this miracle.

Look carefully at the arch as well. If we didn’t know that everything is a work of nature, we would never believe it. The individual elements are perfectly shaped and evoke the entrance to a wine cellar.

Whilst the church is definitely the icon of the Red Route, there is so much more. Lurking right next to it is a dragon or a chicken?

Another beautiful formation is the one that resembles a peephole. You can see the Hverfjall Volcano through its rock opening.

However, it is not the only arch you will encounter on the Red Trail. There are several of them and each one is different. These perfect circles are more reminiscent of human intervention than a force of nature. Although the Red Trail is certainly very interesting, the Blue Trail is a bit more engraved in our memories.

Blue Route is only for adventurers

Right at the beginning of the Blue Route you will be greeted by a sign that says “difficult part”. We didn’t believe it. And then we slid and had a competition to see who would fall first and who would fall the fewest.

Already in October, all the trails become like an ice-skating rink. But the problem is, they don’t run on flat ground, but up and down hills, with no way to catch anything. Still, taking the Blue Trail was the best choice.

At first we were accompanied by beautiful plants that made their way through the snow and created perfect opposites.

A little while later we had a view of the medieval castle. Or was it Stonehenge? Standing side by side on a high hill, the rocks are once again a masterpiece of Mother Nature.

Of course, there were several angry giants and the omnipresent volcano that lured us into its depths (and we couldn’t resist at least a drone flight there).
Other beauties were several caves full of icicles and more perfect circular tunnels.
Dozens of stone towers, along with the white blanket and the sun’s rays, created a beautiful idyll. All you had to do was stop and let yourself be carried away by the splendour around you.

The little chick with a arch instead of a belly was also a very pleasant surprise and a change of scenery.
We could spend hours in Dimmuborgir and still not stop being amused.

How did Dimmuborgir come into being?

Dimmuborgir has its origins in volcanic activity that took place around 2300 years ago. At that time, the volcano Þrengslaborgir erupted near Lake Mývatn. During the eruption, a huge amount of lava spilled over the surrounding area and hit the lake. It boiled and evaporated violently, causing huge bubbles full of steam to form on the surface. These bubbles collapsed as the surface of the lava solidified, creating unique caves, caverns and rock formations. Altogether, the whole process is reminiscent of the dramatic struggle between fire and water, the two elements that shaped Iceland.

Dimmuborgir and myths:

Trolls and sunlight

Trolls in Iceland are traditionally nocturnal creatures that must return to their hiding places before sunrise. However, in Dimmuborgir, several trolls lost track of time and stayed out until morning. When the sunlight hit them, they were instantly petrified. Today, locals like to think that some tall stone pillars are solidified trolls.

Icelandic Christmas Elves (Jólasveinar)

According to Icelandic folklore, Dimmuborgir is home to Jólasveinar, 13 mischievous Christmas Elves who are a sort of local version of Santa Claus. Each one has a distinct character and their visits begin on December 12, with one elf arriving each day. For example, Skyrgámur steals skyr (Icelandic yoghurt), while Gluggagægir likes to peep through people’s windows.

Gateway to Hell

Some stories say that Dimmuborgir was once the place where the gate to hell opened. Indeed, this dark connection to the supernatural inspired Norwegian metal band Dimmu Borgir, who take their name from the area.

How to get to Dimmuborgir?

Dimmuborgir is located approximately 7 km from Lake Mývatn. From the main road (Ring Road), turn off onto the minor road to the Mývatn lakes and follow the signs. You can find the car park right at the entrance to the lava field and all the trails start from there.

While you’re in the area, don’t miss Krafla, the Mývatn Baths, the Hverir geothermal area or the nearby Goðafoss or Dettifoss waterfalls.