Bucket list experience:
Iceland
Iceland often looks like a film set from Lord of the Rings, and nowhere is that truer than the area around Myvatn Lake.
A blasted, volcanic landscape of strange rock formations, smoking volcanoes, plopping mudpools and geothermal ponds, it’s the nearest you’ll ever get to a real-life Mordor.
There are numerous active volcanoes to see around Krafla, but the weirdest sight of all is Dimmuborgir, a bizarre forest of volcanic pillars criss-crossed by colour-coded hiking trails.
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
These strange lava formations look like the remains of an ancient, crumbling citadel (the name means ‘dark castles’), and were made when an ancient lava tube collapsed 2,300 years ago. Various colour-coded hiking trails wind amongst the pillars.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Hold your nose: this bizarre landscape of bubbling mud pools and smoking fumaroles stinks to high heaven from all the sulphur, but it feels a little like walking on the surface of another planet.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Myvatn Nature Baths at Jardbodin are known as the northern version of the Blue Lagoon – a large outdoor geothermal pool and steam room complex with views of Myvatn Lake.
Best for ages: 6+ | £35
The main hub is Reykjahlid, a small village on the shores of Myvatn Lake. Most public buses stop here, and several operators offer organised tours of the area. If you’re driving, it’s about 79km east of Akureyri.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Reykjahlíð
€149 | Rating 5 / 5 [9 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Akureyri
€180 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [25 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Akureyri
€185 | Rating 4.70 / 5 [77 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Akureyri
€187 | Rating 5 / 5 [10 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
