Mývatn – A Cheap Way to Go to Mars

Among the secrets of Iceland, Mývatn lake region is one of the best kept.  You need to quit the safe lands of Reykjavík and venture to the North of the North… And when you think you are lost, you are there: surrounded by landscapes that looks just like Mars.

Used to the vast green mountains of Iceland, it’s a shock when you arrive in this ocher landscape.

Everything seems to come from another planet and the smell of sulfur reminds you that you are the stranger here. Mudpools are boiling and smoke is coming out of fumaroles in Hverir geothermal area. Nature is screaming “I am the boss here!”

In Krafla area, an active volcanic area, there have been 29 reported eruptions and the last one was in 1984. Due to volcanic activity, it is potentially dangerous to visit the region. A visit is always at your own risk.

The Leirhnjúkur crater is the most impressive part, and the most dangerous. You need to be careful and watch out for hot soil, steam columns and sharp cooled lava.

(Note : If you stay on the very well indicated path, you are not really in danger, but I like to put a little drama.)

The problem is that, when we were there in 2013, the trail was closed.

But we decided to pass anyway, because we are really stubborn, and probably a little reckless too.

We soon realized why the path was closed…

Did the walk worth it? Yes it did.

When our shoe soles began to be hotter than normal, we concluded that it was time for us to got back to the car and continue our road in the surprising Iceland, where everyday is a new color and adventure.

Would you have gone through the closed trail? Have you already been to Mývatn? What is your best memories of the region?

Tips to Visit Mývatn

• Mývatn means “midges lake”, and the variety of midges in the region are attracted to the CO2 produced by our breathing, so they go directly in your mouth and nose. Be sure to bring a scarf that you can put on your face. It will also help you with the strong smell of sulfur.
• Come by car or rent one there. The region is vast and there is plenty of things to see : craters, lake, caves, natural baths. Each of these are far from each others.
• A jacket is always useful in Iceland. It may look “hot” in the picture because we associate the ocher color with deserts, but truly, it’s not. As you can see, there was still snow in June.
• There’s not tons of hotels in the region. If you plan on staying for the night, you better book you room in advance.

Planning a trip to Iceland? You might be interested in these posts:

• 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Iceland
• How to Visit Iceland For Less Than 1000$
• A Short Love Story (Involving Sheep)
• Where to Go For Reykjavik Runtur
• Walking On the Biggest Glacier in Iceland
• What to Pack For Iceland in Summer
• 14 Days Itinerary in Iceland – Part 1
• 14 Days Itinerary in Iceland – Part 2
• Playlist For a Road Trip in Iceland

I always travel with a guidebook to help me plan my trip in advance, and find useful information of the road. For this trip, I traveled with the Lonely Planet Iceland Travel Guide and it was full of useful information. If you’re looking for a guide, that one cover all the regions, including Myvatn.

 

 

 

 

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