Lake Myvatn is one of Iceland’s most varied natural sites. The area is full of amazing natural geological features, active volcanic sites and is a bird-watching haven. There are some incredible things to see at Lake Myvatn, so read on to find out which are the best attractions!
Table of Contents
Top things to see at Lake Myvatn
As you may know, Iceland straddles two tectonic plates: the Eurasian plate and the North American plate.
Lake Myvatn sits right on top of the rift between the plates. This means lots of volcanic activity and interesting geological formations created over centuries of eruptions found near to the lake. The lake itself is not necessarily the main attraction; there aren’t any watersports or sailing as the crystal clear waters are more of a wildlife sanctuary.
The Lake Myvatn area was one of our favourite places on our family road trip around Iceland’s ring road. Lake Myvatn is definitely one of the Iceland’s top destinations, with lots of hiking and exploring to be done. We’d encourage anyone thinking of visiting Iceland to put Lake Myvatn on their itinerary.
If you’re travelling with your family, it’s also possible to see many things here with small kids and it’s a great and practical way to get them interested in geography.
We’d recommend taking two days to explore the area around Lake Myvatn. However, if you don’t have that long you can see lots of the major things in one day, especially if you’re travelling in summer.
Hverir Geothermal area
I’ll get straight to my favourite place at Lake Myvatn. Hverir geothermal area is one of the most active parts of Lake Myvatn, and it’s really like stepping onto another planet. Our kids found it fascinating.
Hverir’s landscape is a stark contrast to the picturesque surrounds of Lake Myvatn. It’s just a 2 minute drive from the lake itself. As you drive over the hill from the lake, the greenery melts away to reveal a barren, multi coloured, steaming landscape.
At Hverir you can walk right up to fumaroles; volcanic vents which belch sulphurous gases furiously into the air. Try not to breathe too deeply – it’s pretty noxious stuff.
Multicoloured lichen grows on the scorched red ground around the vents. These lichen must be the hardiest plants in Iceland. Nothing else survives here.
Follow the path around the lichen beds, where you’ll see that there are also bubbling mud pits. Again, you can get very close to the craters where you’ll be hypnotised into watching the mud bubbles swell and then burst.
To get a view over the whole area you could hike up Namafjall, the hillside behind Hverir.
An assault on the senses Hverir may be, but what a fantastic place for kids to experience a volcanic landscape!
Walk on smoking lava at Krafla
The volcano Krafla is the most active area around Lake Myvatn. You’ll see the road to Krafla opposite Hverir’s car park. Car parks for Krafla’s attractions are a few miles or so up the road on top of the mountain.
The last eruption here was in 1975 – 1984 when a fissure opened and lava intermittently flowed out of the cracks for several years. Still-smoking black lava has bubbled over the landscape in Krafla’s caldera, and you can walk among the flows looking for active vents. This volcanic area is called Leirhnjúkur.
You’ll also find a couple of sulphurous steaming pools, similar to those at Hverir.
There are boardwalks and paths through the lava fields and there are several long hiking trails in the area. Stick to the paths if you don’t want your shoes to melt!
Viti Crater
Nearby Leirhnjúkur is a crater, Viti (which means Hell). Set in a barren but colourful hillside, Viti’s surprise is the sapphire blue lake at its centre. It’s extremely photogenic.
A half hour’s walk will lead you all around the crater and there’s another, smaller lake behind and more geothermal features. If you don’t fancy the walk (we didn’t) it’s still a pretty place to take a look.
After you’ve visited Viti and Leirhnjúkur, take the road back down towards the lake for the rest of your sightseeing, making one quick stop on the way.
All the geothermal energy released by Krafla’s fissure has been put to good use. It might not sound interesting but do take a pit stop in the power station on the road to Krafla. There’s a video in English and a few displays showing how the power is harnessed.
And, more importantly, free coffee.
Grjótagjá (or Jon Snow’s Cave)
Hidden inside a tiny crack in a lava flow, Grjótagjá is a subterranean hot pool made famous for inspiring a scene from Game of Thrones. You know the one, when Jon Snow breaks his Night’s Watch oath by spending some, ahem, private time with Ygritte.
Once you’ve clambered down the rocks to the pool, you’ll realise that most of the scene wasn’t actually filmed here – the cave is far too cramped.
Also spoiling the fun, you’re not actually meant to bathe in the pool. It’s about 45°C in the water but can sometimes be hotter if there’s lots of volcanic activity. However it’s an interesting place and definitely worth a peep!
Climb Hverfjall volcano
For stupendous views of the area, the summit of Hverfjall can’t be beaten. Hverfjall is a dark grey cone rising ominously out of the surrounding grassland.
An hour’s hike will take you up and around the crater. In contrast to Viti, there is no lake inside this crater, just remnants from the immense blast that decapitated the mountain.
You won’t be spending much time looking in the crater anyway – the view of Lake Myvatn is too good!
Dimmuborgir lava formations
Formed from an apocalyptic lava flow around 2000 years ago, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir are unique. Dimmuborgir translates as “dark citadel” which is apt as walking through Dimmuborgir is a bit like walking through an eerie stone city, in Mordor perhaps.
There are several dark fairytales and legends about Dimmuborgir’s otherworldly inhabitants which kids will love. Murderous trolls are rumoured to live inside some of the lava pillars. Tread carefully.
You’ll find several different trails through Dimmuborgir. One of the best routes is about an hour long and takes you to The Church, a circular gap in the rock which you can walk through.
Höfði: Iceland’s forest
From a fantasy city to a fairytale forest: just along the road from Dimmuborgir is the small wooded area of Höfði. Iceland doesn’t have many forests so this area is quite special for Icelanders. Höfði is on a rocky peninsula that juts out over Lake Myvatn.
Follow the winding paths through the trees to some gorgeous viewpoints over the lake. There’s also a clearing in the middle which could be an ideal place for a picnic.
As you walk through the forest, it’s easy to imagine all sorts of fairytale creatures hiding in the greenery; a more gentle way to fire kids’ imaginations than those malevolent trolls in Dimmuborgir.
From Höfði you can also see beautiful lava pillars, Kálfastrandavogar, towards the south part of the lake. You could walk down to these formations too, if you’d like a closer look at them.
Volcanic pseudocraters
On the southern tip of the lake are a series of miniature craters. There are no magma chambers underneath these pseudocraters, even though they look just like lots of tiny volcanoes in a row. Instead, these were created when lava flowed over wet ground and trapped steam exploded out from underneath.
You can walk on trails over the pseudocraters and get another perspective over Lake Myvatn. There is also a turf farmhouse nearby that you can look at, although you can’t go in.
Bird watching by Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is well known for its birdlife as well as its amazing geology.
You don’t need to be an ornithologist to enjoy spotting the different species of ducks, geese and other birds who flock to the lake. Kids will enjoy seeing who can count the most different types.
For a closer look at birds, try the Bird Museum which houses Iceland’s largest private collection of birds (erm, stuffed ones rather than live). Its exhibits are interactive which will appeal to children, and the museum is situated at the lakeside so you can get a great look at the birds from the restaurant.
Lake Myvatn Nature Baths
Photo: Iceland.is
Billed as a cheaper, less crowded answer to the more famous Blue Lagoon, Lake Myvatn’s Nature Baths could be exactly what you need after a day or two exploring Lake Myvatn’s attractions. The volcanically heated water is a perfect way to soothe your weary limbs!
You don’t need to book a ticket months in advance, just turn up and it will cost between 3800 – 4700 ISK depending on the season. Children under 12 go free.
We had planned to take a dip here too but after such a packed day exploring, the kids basically passed out in the car so we had to take them back home to Akureyri. At least we managed the Blue Lagoon before we left Iceland.
Bonus: Goðafoss waterfall
Godafoss waterfall isn’t strictly at Lake Myvatn but it’s about a 30 minute drive away, on the way to Akureyri. It’s right by the road so you won’t miss it, and it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re driving past.
Godafoss was probably my favourite waterfall in Iceland – clear blue water cascades in several separate streams into a large pool. There’s a viewing area opposite but you can also scramble over the rocks to get a closer look (not suitable for small kids).
The waterfall gets its name “waterfall of the gods” from a story 1000 years old when Iceland officially converted to Christianity. The man responsible, Þorgeir Þorkelsson, threw his Norse god idols over the waterfall.
Know before you go
How to get to Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn sits in the north of Iceland, just by the ring road, so it’s easily found. You’ll probably smell the volcanic activity before you see it!
There are several different car parks near the various attractions so it’s easy to move from one site to another. Many places are signposted but we used google maps to find the exact spots for some places.
You won’t be able to take a day trip from Reykjavik to Lake Myvatn, it’s too far; about 6 hours on the ring road. If you don’t have a car then you can take a tour.
If you want to get there quickly then flights operate to Akureyri from Reykjavik.
Where to stay at Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn has several accommodation options in the local area, from high end hotels to guesthouses and campsites. The nearest town is Reykjahlið where you’ll find a helpful tourist information office and a supermarket.
Fosshotel Myvatn is a stylish new hotel by the lakeside, with lovely views. There are family rooms and an onsite restaurant. Click here to check prices and book.
Guesthouse Skútustadir is located near to the lake and has a range of accommodation including family rooms and a cottage suitable for families. There’s a shared kitchen and lounge and breakfast is served at the property. Click here for prices and availability.
Vogafjos Guesthouse is on the eastern shore near to Reykjahlið. The guesthouse is on the site of a working farm and they also run a great restaurant so you won’t go hungry here! Family rooms are available. Click here to book your stay.
Safety and getting around Lake Myvatn with small children
Some areas of Lake Myvatn are more suitable than others for small kids.
The boardwalks at Leirhnjúkur volcanic area made the going relatively easy, and you could probably get a pushchair along them. Hverir is all on flat ground but the fumaroles aren’t roped off. The walk around Hofdi is fine for small kids, although there are a few steps.
If you plan on hiking around the craters then beware of slippery and uneven ground. It’s not wise to take small kids into the Grjótagjá cave – it’s a scramble over rocks to enter, and you don’t want them slipping into the pool. Obviously make sure you all stay on the paths as some of the volcanic areas are really hot and not fenced off with anything more sturdy than a bit of string.
We found that using a toddler carrier was better than trying to wrangle a pushchair over uneven ground.
Where to eat at Lake Myvatn
The best, and most unusual restaurant at Lake Myvatn is probably Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe. Yes, you can eat in a cowshed. You can also drink fresh milk from the cows, and even watch them being milked. Not to be confused with The Slaughterhouse restaurant from The Simpsons.
If you are travelling around Iceland on a budget (as we were) you will probably be looking for a good picnic spot. We stopped at a viewpoint overlooking Lake Myvatn just before the summit of the hill that takes you to Hverir volcanic area. From here we could see the lake and Hverfjall mountain, as well as the thermal baths and some steaming ground. The only downside was the volcanic air which didn’t really help to build up an appetite.
***
Have you been to Lake Myvatn? What was your favourite part?
Iceland look amazing – that crater! It’s already quite high on my list but I think it just went up a few notches. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked the post Rachel. Iceland is as beautiful as everyone says; there’s no exaggeration!
I went there in mid-winter and it looked so different! Much snow and ice and I remember the sunrise merging into the sunset. My favourite bit was the hike up Mt Krafla across icy terrain, until we got to the summit where the heat stopped the ice in its tracks. The steam looked orange in the perpetual sunrise/sunset. Thanks for sharing.
I bet it was really cold in the winter! Very cool to see the ice melting on the hot ground – you can’t tell which parts are hot in the summer.
I so want to go here! Lake Myvatn has so many neat things to see! And, who doesn’t want to see Jon Snow’s cave? Thanks for all the helpful tips on where to stay and eat.
Yes we had to look in the cave! Iceland is amazing – I hope you get to go.
I never really considered Iceland being a fun place for children, so this is nice. I was very disappointed that a soak in Jon Snow’s lake was not possible, but happy to see that a hot mineral was possible later at the nature baths. You definitely covered all the bases!
Our kids really enjoyed Iceland; they prefer being outside and able to play a bit rather than going around cities. They liked it more than I thought they would! (Also I think that some people do sneak into the lake)
I’m glad I came across your blog, Emily! I am looking forward to traveling with my littles someday soon and can’t wait to read more about your adventures with your family! These photos are stunning, this is definitely going on the list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jessica! Really glad you liked the post. We were really nervous about taking our kids on trips like this but they’ve been great, it’s never been as difficult as we feared!
Unfortunately for us, we chose the other excursion and skipped the Ring Road. Your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks Carol. Where did you visit?
Every time I wonder whether Iceland is getting too much hype as a destination, I see a post like this that convinces me it’s well worth the attention that it’s getting.
Awesome photos too.
Before we went we thought the same thing – that it couldn’t be as good as everyone says. We thought we’d be disappointed. But we had to eat our words, Iceland is stunning!
Great photos and lots of useful information. I like the nature baths option here, away from the more crowded Blue Lagoon.
Thanks Angelina. Yes they are much less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. That was still fun though!
Love this! I love Iceland but haven’t drove the Ring Road yet. I am planning a trip very soon and will have to put this on my itinerary. Thanks for sharing!
You must go here if you’re driving the ring road! Enjoy your trip!
Hi there! This post brought back so many fun memories for me… last year I took a road trip around Iceland and enjoyed the Myvatn area so much. Loved those Myvatn Nature Baths! It was also very interesting to compare the Hverir area with Yellowstone. Thanks for this thorough itinerary.
I hear Yellowstone is bigger (and better?) We’d love to go there some day. Glad you enjoyed reminiscing 🙂
I would totally love the geothermal feel of the place Emily. Brilliant sites and sounds. Excellent photos and great story telling, as always.
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted…How to Organize Your Blogging Day for Maximum Efficiency (Amazon eBook)
Thanks Ryan! It’s an amazing place, we loved the variety of things you could find in such a small area.
The kids are so cute! So inspiring to see your photos. I’ve just got back from Latin America and considering a trip to Iceland after reading this post!
Thanks Dan. They may be cute but they can also be a handful! Where did you go in Latin America? We would love to go to Peru.
Love your post and pictures. Lake Myvatn was one of my favorite areas of Iceland and I wish I had more time to spend there when I visited.
It was our favourite area too! I could have spent ages there hiking and taking in the views! Thanks for commenting.