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Published: June 13th 2019
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Hello again! Here is another chapter of my exciting 10-day trip to Iceland. I hope you have enjoyed these past few weeks and are ready for more adventures visiting this incredible country. Today, we will explore the incredible
Lake Mývatn area, located in the northern part of the island. This location offers visitors a large number of unique experiences that could be found not too far apart from one another.
Eye-catching landscapes similar to the moon surface are very common in this area. They are a result of the intense volcanic activity in the past. Now, it is easy to find
pseudo craters like the ones in
Skútustaðir and the famous
Kálfastrandavogar lava pillars. You will instantly see a contrast between this somehow bleak area and the green scenery spread by the lake. Nature has found its way in after the many volcanic eruptions, locals say.
Lake Mývatn is considered to be one of Iceland’s largest lake. This lake was also a result of a lava eruption, so it is easy to spot some massive lava formations.
Here is today’s itinerary: Dimmuborgir, Hverfell, and Krafla (Viti Crater).
Jarðböðin (Mývatn Nature Baths)
Akureyri
Rise and shine
everyone! I got up around 8 in the morning to enjoy a nourishing breakfast back at the hotel. I decided to try
Skyr, the traditional Icelandic yogurt. It is quite simple to prepare it, pour it on a large bowl and then, top it with dried fruits and oats.
Skyr has a consistency similar to Greek yogurt but milder. It is a very delicious choice, I must say. You could find it all across the country at most supermarkets and convenience stores. Just in case you wish to take some home.
Now it is time to begin exploring the Diamond Circle which encloses the northern region's most popular tourist attractions. This route connects
Húsavík and
Lake Mývatn. This lake is known for its rich diverse flora and fauna environment. This almost 37-square-kilometer lake is the home to moss, flowers, algae, but also to the numerous species of ducks, fish, and crustaceans. If you enjoy
birdwatching, this is the right place for you as countless bird species may be spotted on
Lake Mývatn.
Traveling in this area is rather easy as you only need to follow the edge of the lake. I have found countless hiking trails in this
area, all of these marked for tourists who love outdoors. There is also an interesting museum called
Sigurgeir's Bird Museum, which holds a large collection of the different species of birds found in Iceland. If you are looking for services,
Reykjahlíð has everything you need. There are excellent restaurants, cafés, shops, and banks. See the map I have attached for further reference.
The first stop on my list was
Dimmuborgir (Dark Fortress), an almost surreal lava field located on the east side. I was instantly amazed by the unusual shape of the several rock formations scattered along the way. If you are a
Game of Thrones fan, this place will instantly bring back some memories of this famous TV series. As most touristic places in Iceland, there is a cultural side here too. This site is also known as the home of
The Yule Lads, some very famous creatures in Icelandic folklore. They a group of 13 naughty brothers, with an appearance similar to trolls or dwarves. Each of them has a distinctive name that expresses their playful ways.
The Yule Lads are often known for frightening small children with some dreadful stories. Icelandic parents would tell the stories 13 days
before Christmas time.
Continuing the route, we will find another famous place in this area known as
Hverfell. This is an enormous crater formed after a terrifying volcanic eruption that took place here almost 3,000 years ago. The initial hike to the summit may seem a bit challenging for some since it is quite steep, but trust me, the view from the top is worth that extra effort. Unlike other volcanoes, you may hike around the crater which has almost 1 km in diameter. Do not worry, It is completely safe to do so!
Later, the trip continues toward
Mt. Krafla, another volcano in the area that was very active on the '70s. In fact, during that period, it registered 9 eruptions in less than a decade. You will notice a crater here too, but way smaller (300 meters) than
Hverfell. This one is called
Víti, which means "hell" in Icelandic. Inside, there is a lake called by the same name. You could even dip into the warm caldera waters to enjoy a classic northern Icelandic treat. Just watch your step as the sudden wind gusts at the summit may be strong. Today,
Krafla looks like a very
peaceful place open for tourism. Do not be fooled by the desolate landscape, this area has a lot to offer.
Oh well, now let me tell you about the cherry on top of this region. After a long day full of adventures, it is time for a well-deserved relaxing dip at
Mývatn Nature Baths. The water comes from deep underground, so you could expect absolute pureness all year round. This spa center is often called the
Blue Lagoon of the North, no wonder it is so popular among the many visitors. Just picture yourself enjoying the stunning views with a glass of wine or fresh juice from inside the pool. After that, I would definitely suggest trying the sauna or steam baths, which of course were created in this geothermal area. Before I forget, you must take a fully naked shower, (YES, there are no exceptions) before entering the lagoon or any other pool in Iceland.
And finally, my last stop for the day is called
Akureyri. This is the second largest and more important city on this magical island. You could easily get here from Mývatn as it is only an hour away on Route 1. Here you will many hotels, hostels, and guesthouses to stay the night. I have already arranged my stay at Hotel Kea, located right on Kaupvangsstræti street. After settling down in town, why not going out for dinner? You will find many bars, restaurants, and café options in downtown. Try
Rub23, a cozy spot with excellent dishes and great service. You should stop by when visiting
Akureyri.
To be continued...
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