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Things to do in and around Myvatn
Mývatn is one of the areas with the most geothermal activity in the country because There is just the separation between the Eurasian and American plates, as happens in Thingvellir National Park. What it means endless lava fields, craters, steaming soils and hot springs.
Apart from all these landscapes that transport you to the center of the earth in Mývatn and its surroundings you will also find some of the Iceland's most impressive waterfallsIn this article we tell you what to do in Myvatn so you can add the best places to your itinerary.
Don't forget to read: Complete guide to the North Iceland.
I recommend you dedicate this areacarI spent a whole day on it. But before we begin, let me tell you something interesting. Mývantn translated from Icelandic means lake of dwarf flies. Be prepared for hordes of small flies surrounding you all the time if you visit during the summer.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MYVATN, NORTH ICELAND
Hverir Geothermal Area
It is located in the Krafla caldera, a volcanic area of more than 10km. It is Iceland's most famous geothermal area for its many steaming chimneys and bubbling mud pools. It is located at the foot of carIt's a popular spot, so it gets very crowded, so try to go early in the morning or late in the evening to enjoy the place.
To explore Hveir there is a paid parking lot enabled from where several short trails leave to explore the area. There is also a longer one that goes up to the Námafjall mountain, from there you will have a panoramic visit to the entire Krafta caldera.
Leirhnjukur Geothermal Area
Also located in the Krafla caldera, but much less crowded. To get there, take a detour of about 8 kilometers (carpaved road) and once in the parking lot you have to walk approximately 15 minutes.
I recommend adding this stop to your route through Iceland, it is totally worth it. Over there You will find more bubbling pools with white, bluish and reddish tones, and if you continue walking you will also pass through lava fields that have nothing to envy of other more famous ones in the country. like those of Dimmborgir. Hidden between these fields are small fumaroles creating a super cool atmosphere, if you look at the horizon it seems like the lava is still giving off heat.
Krafla volcano crater (Viti crater)
Viti crater is another of the Krafla volcano craters that can be visited near Myvatn. This stands out for having a lagoon inside that is a very photogenic turquoise color.
Getting there is very easy since the carThe paved road that leads to the Leirhnjukur geothermal area that I mentioned in the previous section ends at the parking lot of this crater. From the parking lot to the viewpoint from where you can observe the lagoon it takes literally a couple of minutes., so it's a quick visit that's worth it.
Grjótagja Cave
Very close to Mývant and Camping Vogar, one of the best campings In Iceland, there is Grjótagna, a crevasse made famous by Game of Thrones. Beyond having appeared in scenes from the series, she is worth seeing because Inside is a thermal pool with blue waters. Unfortunately the water temperature fluctuates a lot and due to the number of tourists who visit it, bathing is prohibited.
If you walk a little along the side there is a little path that goes up to see the crack from above, I recommend going up because it is very curious to see the cut of the tectonic plates.
And if you are looking for a more hidden thermal water I invite you to try to find Stóragjá, with almost no indicationcar and with some pre-stairscardays and a rope to go down and take a bath.
Mývatn Nature Baths, the Blue Lagoon lowcost
Where you can bathe is in Mývatn Nature Baths, a natural hot spring with sulfuric water at about 36-38 degrees. Spending a few hours in these baths is one of the most famous relaxing activities to do in Mývatn.
We personally didn't like them too much, we believe that in Iceland there are much better thermal baths for the same price (about €42 general admission). We found the facilities very improvable and the water, although at first it is exciting due to the curious powerful turquoise blue color, after a while the smell is annoying and both skin and hair become strange.
If you go, remember to take off your jewelry, put your hair up, and put on conditioner. Also don't forget to shower without a swimsuit before entering, a rule for all bathrooms in Iceland.
Top of the Hverfjall volcano, a Myvant must-see
From the parking lot there is a path to climb the crater of the more than 2.500-year-old Hverfjall volcano. If you have never been on top of a volcanic crater, this may be your first time!
It is sandy, almost symmetrical and from the top there are very good views of both Lake Mývatn and the entire volcanic area of the Krafla crater. I would recommend doing just the climb to see it, which is 1.2km round trip. If you want to go around the crater completely, the route is 4.5km.
Dimmborgir lava fields
Another thing to do in Mývatn is to visit its curious lava formations, the most popular are in the Dimmborgir site where different trails have been enabled. In this area, very curious rock formations stand out that invite the imagination, some of the most photogenic are the stone arches.
If you add them to your route it will not take you more than half an hour to travel any of their enabled paths. Next to the parking there is a map with all the routes and the distances of each one, depending on the time and desire to walk you can choose one or the other.
You must also keep in mind that depending on the time you go, you may find them crowded since It is one of the typical tourist bus stops. If you are in a large group, I recommend taking a path in the opposite direction to enjoy nature in peace.
Lake Myvant Pseudocraters
A pseudocrater is a crater that has not erupted lava but was created by steam explosions. These types of craters are carcharacteristic of Mývatn and infrequent.
You'll find them in different sizes and heights, starting from the carThe route follows the marked trails. If you take the main trail, which also leads to several other viewpoints, allow about half an hour.
WHERE WE TO STAY AT MYVANT
This tourist area of Iceland is actually quite uninhabited, with only a small supermarket, a gas station and a few restaurants near the lake. Luckily, as it is a regular stop on the routes that run through the ring road
There is "quite a bit" of accommodation available. If you go in camper or you are camping I recommend the camping Vogar. If you are staying in hotels I recommend the following depending on your budget:
Cheap accommodation on Myvant: Hlíd Hostel
Shared accommodation with competitive price for Iceland. TOLarge common area and full kitchen. Super quiet and perfect location to try to see the auroras.
Average price accommodation: Vogue Travel
Basic accommodation with a very good rating. Simple private rooms. It also has a common area and kitchen.
Very good location next to the lake and lava fields.
Top accommodation: Hotel Laxa
Modern hotel with well-kept facilities and beautiful architecture. Very good service and perfect location with views of the lava fields and volcanoes.
Buffet breakfast included.
We hope that our guide on what to do in Myvatn has been useful to you in organizing your trip. If you have any questions, write to us and we will be happy to solve them for you. If you would like to know more about our stay in Iceland you can read our other articles or see our featured stories on Instagram.
