Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MARIMO BALLS
Marimoballs are bizarre little spheres of green algae that are thought to grow naturally in
colonies in only a handful of places in the world (Mývatn and Lake Akan in Japan). The
name marimois the Japanese word for 'algae ball' - around Mývatn, the locals call 'em
kúluskítur,which literally means 'ball of shit'. Swing by
Sigurgeir's Bird Museum
to check
out these curious critters while you can (they live in the small pool at the centre of the ex-
hibition space). Recent studies have marked the rapid decline of marimoin Mývatn.
Northern Mývatn
As the lakeshore road circles back around towards Reykjahlíð, the marshes dry up and the
terrain returns to its signature stretches of crispy lava.
Sights
Eldhraun
LAVA FIELD
The lava field along Mývatn's northern lakeshore includes the flow that nearly engulfed
the Reykjahlíð church. It was belched out of Leirhnjúkur during the Mývatn Fires in 1729,
and flowed down the channel Eldá. With some slow scrambling, it can be explored on foot
from Reykjahlíð.
Hlíðarfjall
MOUNTAIN
If you're hiking directly to Krafla from Mývatn's northern crest, you'll pass the prominent
771m-high rhyolite mountain Hlíðarfjall (also called Reykjahlíðarfjall), just before the
halfway mark. Around 5km from Reykjahlíð, the mount can also be enjoyed as a pleasant
day hike from the village, affording spectacular views over the lake on one side and over
the Krafla lava fields on the other.
