Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
photograph. It's a beautiful spot, particularly when the sun filters through the cracks in the
roof and illuminates the interior.
Hverfell
CRATER
Dominating the lava fields on the eastern edge of Mývatn is the classic tephra ring Hver-
fell (also called Hverfjall). This near-symmetrical crater appeared 2700 years ago in a
cataclysmic eruption of the existing Lúdentarhíð complex. Rising 463m from the ground
and stretching 1040m across, it is a massive and awe-inspiring landmark in Mývatn.
The crater is composed of loose gravel, but an easy track leads from the northwestern
end to the summit and offers stunning views of the crater itself and the surrounding land-
scape. A path runs along the western rim of the crater to a lookout at the southern end be-
fore descending steeply towards Dimmuborgir.
Access to the walking track at the ring's northwestern end is via a signed gravel road; it's
about 3km from the main road to the car park.
Lofthellir
CAVE
The dramatic lava cave at Lofthellir is a stunning destination, with magnificent natural ice
sculptures (ice trolls?) dominating the interior.
Although it's one of Mývatn's highlights, the cave is on private property and can only be
accessed on a half-day tour run by
Saga Travel
. The tour involves a 45-minute 4WD jour-
ney and a 20-minute walk across a lava field to reach the cave itself, and then special
equipment (headlamps, studded boots etc) and some wriggling through tight spaces. Dress
warmly.
The tour costs Ikr26,500/19,500 from Akureyri/Reykjahlíð. Note, too, that Saga Travel
also offers this tour in winter, which involves snow-driving and then snowshoeing to ac-
cess the cave (Ikr34,500/27,500 from Akureyri/Reykjahlíð).
Dimmuborgir
LAVA FIELD
The giant jagged lava field at Dimmuborgir (literally 'Dark Castles') is one of the most
fascinating flows in the country. A series of nontaxing, colour-coded walking trails runs
through the easily anthropomorphised landscape. The most popular path is the easy
Church Circle (2.3km). Ask at the cafe here about free guided ranger walks in summer.
