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Latest Mÿvatn hotel reviews
The north of this park is closer to Husavik but the south, where Dettioss can be found is definitely closer to Myvatn.
During winter the roads are not great and the F-roads (which you may or may not be allowed to travel on in a hire car - check your rental agreement) are closed anyway. There is a new road that has been or is being made - it is difficult to tell in the winter conditions, certainly a lot of road building vehicles had been abandoned and were completely snowed in along the roadway.
Driving along the road we had the conversation regarding whether we thought we should continue driving to Dettoifoss (the road was worsening). We did drive there but it is not a short drive, especially in these conditions. We parked the car and staggered through the snow to use the bathroom facilities (brrr!).
Dettifoss is Europes most powerful in terms of volume. It is 44m high and has 193 cubic metres of water. My Lonely Planet book said that the water can be seen 1km away...
The best thing is to tell you my winter experience and then you can make an informed decision as to whether to attempt Dettifoss out of season!
We were not certain but we decided the red posts were markers to guide the way to the waterfall. We found a signpost that vaguely alluded to Dettifoss as being somewhere along the red post route. The yellow posts seemingly headed to Selfoss. Some of the red posts had snow alarmingly high... and then my eldest son pointed to the floor and said "I think we are walking on ice!" Looking down, yes! it did, certainly appear so... and of course, it is frightfully difficult to tell exactly how deep water may be beneath the ice and how thick/strong/safe/sturdy that ice is! The wind was howling, the snow and ice started pelting us and everywhere started to look remarkably similar! It was at this point we decided it would probably be churlish to continue - we had no idea as to the lay of the land or what dangers we could possibly put ourselves in in what was a very forlorne and isolated place, miles from anything remotely resembling civilisation. We turned around and headead back - wow! had we really trudged all this way or was it just painfully slow and hard because the weather was so punishing. It felt as though we were in the Antarctic!
By the time we got back to the car the blizzard was really in full blast and there was a sense of urgency to get going and for the road to remain clear for us... 5 minutes down the road we stopped for a flask b reak - the weather was so ghastly that we could not see... 5 minutes later we drove back with lovely blue skies and the sun shining in! mad weather!
Updated May 3, 2011
Well this is a sureal place, for sure! The steaming vents, pipes and strange little structures make Kroflusod appear like something from a mad professors laboratory! It reminded me of one of the levels in Sonic The Hedgehog!!!
Winter is not the ideal time to come here. The snow was thick and, after the visitors centre (which was closed until June), the road got progressively worse (see the photo - more like a Bob-sleigh circuit than a road!). The "sights" were not really obvious as everything was under a thick blanket of white. Add to that it was bitterly cold - too cold for messing about exploring, really.
Updated May 3, 2011
Mud! mud! glorious mud!
Arriving here is a little like arriving on the moon - the sulphuric steam that wafts out of the orange and brown earth, the craters full of blue gloopy, boiling and belching mud...
Light soil areas indicate trecherous areas but you don;t have to worry too much as there are roped off pathways...
I tallied around here for as long as I could take the stench. Finally I felt a little nauseous from the eggy, sulphur smell.
The technical term for the holes from which the sulphuric steam arises is fumerole and furthermore, the fumeroles that emit sulphar are called solfataras.
Written May 3, 2011
The weather may be cold and austere outside and the exterior of the building itself, modern and glass, may not give the impression of any warmth but if there is one thing you do in Iceland it should be this. It is wonderful!
It is described as The Blue Lagoon of the north only, certainly in April, we had the palce all to ourselves.
The waters are rich in minerals which leave your skin feeling amazing.
In some places the water is so piping hot you have to "mix" it with your hands!!!
It snowed whilst I was relaxing in the waters... getting out is c c c c cold!!!
Take off silver and copper jewelry - as in remove it. I removed all jewelry... or so I thought. I was still wearing a tiny piece of silver I had forgotten about - it turned bright orange! By the end of the day it was back to normal though.
You have to leave shoes in a shoe rack before going through to the changing rooms and you must shower before you go into the pool.
Bath robes can be hired. I thought this was a good idea. However, in winter, you are literally going from pool to changing room because it is too freezing cold to hang around. I would say that, so long as you have a towel, don;t bother hiring a bath robe - save your money and get yourself a coffee afterwards instead!!!
For 2 adults (we did not have to pay for our children) and 4 bath robes, the total cost worked out to approx £50. Expensive but oooooh was such a lovely experience.
Updated May 2, 2011
A road encircles the lake. It is in good condition and being only 36km so easily driven.
It is quite a spectacular drive with the scenery changing every few minutes!
Pseudocaters, lava, marsh-land, mountains and farms... it is a rural and beautiful part of Iceland and there are lots simply incredible sights dotted around that are easily explored in a day from here.
Winter: The pseudocraters are not so obvious under snow but the lake looks magnificent encased in ice.
Updated May 2, 2011
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Located at the south-stern part of the lake. While they may look like volcanic craters, the way that they were formed is completely different.
A normal crater is formed where the molten magma erupts out of the ground, complete with caldera. A pseudocrater is created when hot lava hits water and the steam gererated by it causes an explosion. The hole that is left after the explosion is the pseudocrater.
Written Aug 4, 2010
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Everybody has heard of the Blue Lagoon geothermal baths, not far from Keflavik Airport in Iceland. Well the Jarðböðin við Mývatn (Geothermal bath) is very similar, but not nearly as busy or expensive.
If you are in the Myvatn area (or plan to be there just to go to these baths), you can spend a few minutes or a few hours soaking in the mineral rich water.
Written Aug 4, 2010
Address: 660 Mývatn
Website: http://www.jardbodin.is/English/About_us/
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Moonscape a short drive from Myvatn. This is one of the most accessible geothermal areas that we visited. Fumeroles (noisy ones at that), bubbling mud pots and the pervasive smell of sulphur everywhere.
The colours of the landscape are almost surreal.
Updated Aug 4, 2010
Address: Just east of Myvatn on the Ring Road
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There is a crater formed near Myvatn...and we wanted to climb it...but, were told by the tourist information that there is nothing much to see inside...so, we didnt. You can see it from Dimmuborgir and its good to take photographs like i have done :).
Written Sep 12, 2009
There are hot water formations in many places in Myvatn...if you go near the Geo Thermal power plant you can see steam coming out of every stream. There is a spot, where there is a concentration of steaming water coming out. Best time to go is in the morning to see it although you can go anytime.
Written Sep 12, 2009
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Reviews and photos of Mÿvatn attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Mÿvatn sightseeing.
There are hot water formations in many places in Myvatn...if you go near the Geo Thermal power plant you can see steam coming out of every stream. There is a...
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Myvatn: the meeting between water and fire.
In 1974 Myvatn became a National Reserve of Myvatn-Laxà with the pseudocrater of Skutustadir, in the south area of the lake that became national monument. Myvatn is situate on the Middle Atlantic...
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The landscapes around lake Mývatn are exceptionally diverse, beautiful and bizarre. The area has highly active geothermal hotspots with smelly, steamy and bubbly mudpools. Old craters are adjacent to...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Mÿvatn. I'd love to share with you the 1 tip I've written, the 84 photos uploaded, and 10 travelogues I've created.
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Lake Myvatn is the country's fourth largest natural lake. The lake area is known world wide for its nature . And in the surrounding AREA u ll find a lot of attractions . To see all you ve to send...
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Myvatn and surrounding area are marvellous! The Krafla and Leirhnjukur area with 'recent' basaltic flows.. Namjaskard with fumaroles and boiling mud, the Hverfjall cinder cone... it is paradise if you...
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