The Top 8 Things to Do Near Iceland's Lake Myvatn

While traveling all over Iceland is an adventure on its own, the true beauty of the country comes with the ability to choose a specific region and really get to know it. If you are looking to connect with an Icelandic region on your next trip, Lake Myvatn will not disappoint.

Located in the northern region of the country, directly north of the Vatnajökull National Park, Lake Myvatn is exactly what its name reveals: a lake. But what makes it special is the incredibly wide variety of things to do and see in such a small region – the entire lake area covers around 14 square miles.

Another advantage of heading north: it’s a bit more difficult and takes longer to get there from Reykjavik. Most visitors fly into Keflavik International Airport and head towards Reykjavik. Heading south is much easier and more efficient if you only have a long weekend; heading north will take you away from some of the crowds.

Be aware that the Lake Myvatn area can be difficult to reach during winter (late October to late March). Heavy snowfall and unpredictable weather can lead to road closures and you will need a 4 × 4 vehicle to navigate some of the gravel roads, if you wish to venture off the main ring road.

All technicalities aside, allow yourself to lose a bit of planning your mental vacation. Below are the top eight things to do on your trip to Lake Myvatn.

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Immerse yourself in a hot spring

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The Myvatn nature baths are known as the Northern Blue Lagoon for a reason. The views are unforgettable, the amenities are luxurious, and it’s busy, but it’s far less crowded than Iceland’s most photographed hot springs (Blue Lagoon).

This area is known for its bird watching opportunities and Myvatn Nature Baths may be one of the best places to enjoy birdsong.

Make sure to schedule your visit and purchase a ticket in advance. They even offer beer and wine bracelets, allowing you to order drinks to enjoy in the hot springs from the spa staff.

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Visit a Game of Thrones filming location

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Hverir is a geothermal hotspot located at the foot of the Namafjall volcano, and you can see that there is something going on here the moment you see it. The area is full of bubbling mud and steam vents. The color palette can only be described as earthy, presenting itself in deep red and orange views.

You can also hear this area known as Namafjall or Namaskard. You can walk the entire area in half an hour, but be sure to allocate some extra time for sightseeing. The atmosphere here is truly otherworldly.

The steam that floated around Hverir played a very important role in the opening scene of episode one of the third season of “Game of Thrones.” As Sam wanders through a blizzard, it appears that he is battling bleaching conditions. The Truth: Steam from the vents in Hverir is what provides the thick blizzard-like curtains.

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Walk through a volcanic crater

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One of the most special things you can see in Iceland is a volcanic crater and Hverfjall is one of the best preserved craters in the world. You can hike up to the crest of the crater via two different trails, but don’t explore beyond those walkways as it can be dangerous.

The crater itself is believed to be nearly 3,000 years old. Walking all over the place will take the better part of two hours, so plan accordingly. If it’s windy, consider bringing hiking poles or trying your hike on a different day. As mentioned above, the weather in Iceland is incredibly unpredictable and a particularly strong gust of wind can do more damage than you might think.

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Camp on the shore of Lake Myvatn

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One of the best parts of visiting the north of Iceland is that the rules for camping are much more lax than in the south. In short, you can’t camp anywhere other than a designated camping area in the south, but there are only a handful of restrictions in the north. You can read all about them on the Visit North Iceland website.

While visiting Lake Myvatn, consider spending the night at Hlíð Camp, which is open all year. Its location on the north shore of Lake Myvatn promises that you will wake up to an idyllic view.

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Crawl through a lava cave

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So much of the ice that Iceland is named after underground lies and exploring deep into Lofthellir is a great reminder of that. You will have to join an official tour operator to head to the cave as it is very dangerous to do it on your own.

You will start at Lake Myvatn before walking through a lava field and into a small opening. Inside the caverns, there are massive ice sculptures that vary in size. If you’ve ever seen the original movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, this cave is as close as possible to the scene where the encounter is cave filled with crystals.

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Photographing a traditional turf house

Traditional Icelandic houses have long been the subject of photography around the world, and turf houses are no exception. As the name suggests, these houses have grassy roofs. Icelanders built homes in this way to combat unpredictable weather and improve interior insulation. Near Lake Myvatn, you can visit Grænavatn Turf House.

This particular house is known as a settlement farm, which means there is a good chance that a turf house has existed in this very location since the Vikings walked the country. The interior of the UNESCO site is now used primarily for storage, but exploring the exterior is a thrill in itself.

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Hike around Höfði

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If you’ve seen a photo of Lake Myvatn, it was most likely taken in or near Höfði. This peninsula is known for its lava rock pillars, which stick out of the ground in all sorts of interesting ways. But the rocks are not the only strange thing that you will see: there is also a mini forest in the area, something you will not really find anywhere else in the country. The trees are rumored to have arrived there after a couple spent many years vacationing in the area and planting the trees themselves.

You can hike most of the peninsula in under an hour, considering the entire hike spans 2 miles. Follow the trails and be rewarded with an incredible view of Lake Myvatn.

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Learn about the local wildlife

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+354 464 4477

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Lake Myvatn is known for the many birds that pass by and you can learn all about them at the Sigurgeir Bird Museum. It’s a quirky museum that gives you a great sense of the community’s passion for their beautiful home. There you will find specimens of all the local birds of Iceland; There are also telescopes installed on site for any impromptu bird watching. And when you see one, don’t forget to add it to the museum’s birding registry.