Don’t miss the strange formations in the Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Finish your day with a soak in Myvatn’s own ‘Blue Lagoon’
Last updated: 23 April, 2024
Share it:
Iceland often looks like a film set from Lord of the Rings, and nowhere is that truer than the area around Myvatn Lake.
A blasted, volcanic landscape of strange rock formations, smoking volcanoes, plopping mudpools and geothermal ponds, it’s the nearest you’ll ever get to a real-life Mordor.
There are numerous active volcanoes to see around Krafla, but the weirdest sight of all is Dimmuborgir, a bizarre forest of volcanic pillars criss-crossed by colour-coded hiking trails.
Recommendations
3
Myvatn Nature Baths
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
Myvatn Nature Baths at Jardbodin are known as the northern version of the Blue Lagoon – a large outdoor geothermal pool and steam room complex with views of Myvatn Lake.
Adult price: £35
Good for age: 8+
Hverir Mud Pools
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
Hold your nose: this bizarre landscape of bubbling mud pools and smoking fumaroles stinks to high heaven from all the sulphur, but it feels a little like walking on the surface of another planet.
Good for age: 8+
Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
These strange lava formations look like the remains of an ancient, crumbling citadel (the name means ‘dark castles’), and were made when an ancient lava tube collapsed 2,300 years ago. Various colour-coded hiking trails wind amongst the pillars.
Good for age: 8+
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The main hub is Reykjahlid, a small village on the shores of Myvatn Lake. Most public buses stop here, and several operators offer organised tours of the area. If you’re driving, it’s about 79km east of Akureyri.
Who to go with: organised tours
7
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Discover the magical wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide. We set off from Akureryi Port stopping at the stunning Godafoss waterfall and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn area. in Lake Myvatn area we visit the Dimmuborgir Lava formations and the Námafjall area where you can view the bubbling Hverir Mud pools and Natural steam vents or fumaroles. We also stop at Myvatn Nature Baths where you can enjoy the baths and cafe (Please note the entrance fee to the Nature Baths is NOT included). Passengers can also opt to skip the Nature bath and visit Grjotagja cave and rift instead. This great value tour includes a small group tour with an experienced local tour guide and transport. We offer free pick up and drop off to Akureyri Port.
Embark on a 4x4 Jeep/van tour to Lake Mývatn and the surroundings. Explore the North of iceland and see enchanting places such as Goðafoss waterfall (waterfall of the gods), Dettifoss waterfall (Europe´s most powerful waterfall), hot spring and pseudo crater areas and more.
Hop on a small group tour with a personal service that takes you along the route of Goðafoss waterfall, pseudo crater areas, Dimmuborgir, Hverir in Námafjall (boiling mud pots) and the Mývatn Nature baths, the blue lagoon of the North. Please note that the entry fee to the baths, as well as a bathing suit and a towel, is not included.
Discover the magical wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide. We set off from Akureryi stopping at Godafoss waterfall and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn. The tour stops at all the top attractions of Lake Myvatn including Grjotagja cave and rift, Dimmurborgir Lava formations, pseudocraters, Hverir mud pots and natural steam vents/fumeroles and the Myvatn Nature Baths. (Please note the entrance fee to the Nature Baths is not included). This great value tour includes small group tour with an experienced l local tour guide and transport. We offer free pick up and drop off from Akureyri at your Hotel, Guesthouse, Airport or Port (please let us know your pick up point).
Discover the Natural Wonders of Lake Myvan, Nature Baths, Goddafoss waterfall AND the spectacular Dettifoss waterfall all in one day on this popular and great value tour with an experienced local guide. We set off from Akureryi stopping at the beautiful Godafoss waterfall also known as 'The Waterfall of the Gods' and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn. In Lake Myvatn we visit popular destinations including the Myvatn Nature baths, a geothermal lagoon with mineral rich water in the middle of lava fields, Skútustaðagígar, the psuedocrater area, with stunning views of the Lake Myvatn area, the Dimmuborgir Lava formations also known as 'The Dark Castle', Game of thrones filming locations, the Mount Námafjall area where you can view the bubbling Hverir Mud pools and Natural steam vents/fumaroles and also the Grjotagja rift and cave. We also visit Dettifoss waterfall, Europes most powerful waterfall (conditions dependant). *Please note the entrance fee to the Nautre Baths is not included*