Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EASTERN LAKESIDE HIKE
Although easily accessible by car, the sights along Mývatn's eastern lakeshore can also
be tackled on a pleasant half-day hike. A well-marked track runs from Reykjahlíð village to
Hverfell (5km), passing Grjótagjá along the way. Then it's on to Dimmuborgir (another
3km) with its collection of ruin-like lava. If you start in the late afternoon and time your
hike correctly, you'll finish the day with a meal at Dimmuborgir while sunset shadows
dance along the alien landscape. As an alternative, the walk from Hverfell's northwest
corner to the Nature Baths is 2.3km - and the sunsets here are pretty special too.
Reykjahlíð
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Reykjahlíð, on the northeastern shore of the lake, is the main village and Mývatn's obvious
base. There's little to it beyond a collection of guesthouses and hotels, a supermarket, pet-
rol station and information centre.
Sights & Activities
Reykjahlíð Church
CHURCH
During the Krafla eruption of 1727, the Leirhnjúkur crater, 11km northeast of Reykjahlíð,
kicked off a two-year period of volcanic activity, sending streams of lava along old glacial
moraines towards the lakeshore. On 27 August 1729 the flow ploughed through the vil-
lage, destroying farms and buildings, but amazingly the wooden church was spared (some
would say miraculously) when the flow parted, missing the church by only metres. It was
rebuilt on its original foundation in 1876, then again in 1962. See also Tours,
Click here
,
for details of guided cycling, hiking and horse-riding activities. The Mývatn Nature Baths
are covered on
Click here
.
Sundlaug
SWIMMING POOL
(off Hlíðavegur;adult/child Ikr600/250; 10am-9pm Jun-Aug, shorter hours Sep-May)
