Discover Myvatn: Volcanic Landscapes, Birdlife and Geothermal Features

When looking for hotels in Myvatn, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: Lake Mývatn and the Laxá River form a wetland, while intense volcanic activity shapes the district’s landscape. The lake covers about 37 square kilometres and has around 50 islands and islets. Lake Mývatn and the Laxá are listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance. The Lake Mývatn and Laxá region is also protected under Icelandic Act No. 97 of 9 June 2004. The Mývatn district lies on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates.

Craters, Lava and Geothermal Features

Skútustaðagígar has been protected as a natural monument since 1973. Dimmuborgir near Mývatn consists of large lava formations; climbing on the rocks is not permitted. The Hverfjall, an approximately 2,500-year-old tuff crater, lies in the wider Mývatn area. East of Mývatn is Hverir, a geothermal area with boiling mud, hot springs and steaming fumaroles. The Krafla Caldera in the wider area is a cauldron-shaped geological formation, 10 kilometres long and 2 kilometres deep, on the boundary of the Eurasian and North American plates. You can walk across the Leirhnjúkur lava fields among still-warm lava flows. Lava formations, tuff craters, the caldera and the geothermal area showcase different features of this volcanically shaped landscape.

Birdwatching and Walking Times

The Mývatn North Bank Circle starts on the lakeshore opposite Hótel Reynihlíð and follows the shore as well as crossing rugged lava. The walk takes 2–3 hours, and the route is suitable for birdwatching. If you would like to combine birdwatching with a hike, this trail offers a specific time frame. Höfði is also an excellent birdwatching spot; the rocky promontory extends into Lake Mývatn. The uppermost section of the Laxá is an important habitat for Barrow’s goldeneye and common eider in Iceland. Sigurgeir's Bird Museum is also considered a suitable place for birdwatching at Lake Mývatn. Its collection includes around 330 stuffed birds and about 500 eggs.

Visitor Information and Local Experiences

The Mývatn Visitor Center has an exhibition on the area’s landscape, wildlife and geology. Rangers specialising in the Lake Mývatn and Laxá area are available there. Mývatn Nature Baths offers bathing in geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres. At Mývatn Market, you will find a selection of local handcrafted products. Taste Mývatn introduces visitors to culinary traditions as they explore the region’s nature.

The Ring Road and a Regional Travel Circuit

The Mývatn area lies on Iceland’s Ring Road. The Diamond Circle is a 250-kilometre circuit in North Iceland; Lake Mývatn is one of its five main destinations. The Ring Road describes the area’s location, while the Diamond Circle forms a wider regional travel circuit. In Mývatnssveit, Geo Travel is a family-run adventure tour operator. Its offerings include Super Jeep, private and day tours, as well as hiking and snowshoe tours in northern and eastern Iceland.

Discover more destinations: Hjalteyri, Hallbjarnarstaðir, Siglufjörður, Laufás, Laugar, Grenjaðarstaður, Sauðárkrókur, Laxamýri.

For the regional travel overview: Nordurland Eystra.