Myvatn

Myvatn combines a lake dotted with islands with a landscape shaped by volcanic activity. It also offers birdwatching, geothermal water and striking lava formations. Anyone interested in nature and geology will find many different facets of a trip to North Iceland here.

Lake and protected landscape

Lake Mývatn covers about 37 square kilometres and has around 50 islands and islets. Together with the Laxá River, it is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. The region’s protected status is also clearly defined: the area around Lake Mývatn and the Laxá is protected under Icelandic Act No. 97 of 9 June 2004. Skútustaðagígar has been protected as a natural monument since 1973.

The volcanic character of the area is also reflected in the location of the Mývatn region on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. Dimmuborgir consists of large lava formations near Mývatn; climbing on the rocks is not permitted. Nearby is Hverfjall, a tuff crater around 2,500 years old. East of Mývatn is Hverir, with bubbling mud, hot springs and hissing vents. The Krafla caldera is a 10-kilometre-long and 2-kilometre-deep, basin-shaped geological formation on the boundary between the Eurasian and American plates.

Birdlife and trails by the lake

For an active day, consider the Mývatn North Bank Circle. The trail runs along the lakeshore and across rugged lava; walking time is 2–3 hours. It starts by the lakeshore opposite Hótel Reynihlíð and is suitable for birdwatching. Höfði is also an excellent place to watch birds. The uppermost section of the Laxá is an important habitat in Iceland for Barrow’s goldeneye and common eider.

Birds here can be appreciated as more than just part of the landscape. Sigurgeir's Bird Museum is considered a good place for birdwatching at Lake Mývatn and has around 330 stuffed birds and about 500 eggs. Both watching birds in the wild and exploring the museum’s collection offer different ways to learn about the birdlife around the lake.

Insights into nature and local offerings

Rangers specialising in the Lake Mývatn and Laxá area are available at the Mývatn Visitor Center. The centre’s exhibition focuses on the area’s landscape, wildlife and geology. If you would like to learn about nature during your stay as well as experience it outdoors, the exhibition offers a thematic introduction to these three subjects.

Mývatn Nature Baths offers bathing in geothermal water sourced from depths of up to 2,500 metres. Taste Mývatn offers a different regional focus, taking visitors through unique culinary traditions as they explore the area’s natural environment. Mývatn Market offers a selection of locally made handicrafts.

Routes and holiday apartments in Myvatn

The area’s location is also a useful point of reference for a road trip: Myvatn is on Iceland’s Ring Road. The Diamond Circle is a 250-kilometre circular route in North Iceland, and Lake Mývatn is one of its five main destinations. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Myvatn, you might first consider whether the lake and birdlife, volcanic landforms, geothermal water or the area’s place on a circular route is the main draw for your trip. Family-run adventure tour operator Geo Travel in Mývatnssveit offers Super Jeep, private and day tours, as well as hiking and snowshoe tours in northern and eastern Iceland.

Find more local pages at Ólafsfjördur, Laufás, Hauganes, Hjalteyri, Dalvík, Lundarbrekka, Sauðárkrókur and Hallbjarnarstaðir.

For the broader travel overview: Nordurland Eystra.