Myvatn Lake Region - Candid tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Myvatn
Lake Region

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Myvatn Lake Region
is special

While the lake itself is nothing to write home about, the natural attractions in the lake's environs are special. Highlights include interesting volcanic formations and notable birdlife.

Myvatn Lake Region
tips and insights

Visitor activities

They include:

Exploring the eccentric lava formations at Dimmuborgir

Climbing volcanoes and craters for panoramic views

Seeing the unusual pseudocraters (created by uprising steam, not lava)

Birdwatching (Myvatn has a remarkable number of duck species)

Salmon and trout fishing in the lake's outlet Laxa River

Hiking the trails and biking the rural roads

Relaxing in the Myvatn Nature Baths (some say it's better than the more costly, crowded, and commercialized Blue Lagoon)

Midges - A big problem

Myvatn means "Midge Lake", for good reason. From late spring to early fall, the lakeshore swarms with pesty midges (think gnats).

The females aggressively bite you for your blood, so here are two pointers:

Wear ample repellent when you're on or near the lake or other body of water. Seriously consider wearing head netting.

To avoid midges altogether, visit in early spring or late fall. You could also come in the winter, but the winter climate has its obvious disadvantages.

Pronounciation

Myvatn = MEE-VAHT'N

Setting

The area straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. This explains why the region has so much volcanic activity.

Myvatn Lake Region is 500 kilometers (300 miles) from Reykjavik.

Location in Iceland