Things to Do in Lake Mývatn: Dettifoss, Hverfjall, Dimmuborgir and the Nature Baths

Lake Mývatn sits in the heart of North Iceland, surrounded by volcanic landscapes, rich birdlife and geothermal wonders. Start with Dettifoss, about a 30-minute drive away, then climb the Hverfjall crater and walk among the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. A soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths fits any day.

At a glance

• Top sights to see first: Dettifoss, Hverfjall, Dimmuborgir, Skútustaðagígar, Krafla
• Suggested length of visit: the Diamond Circle can take up to 10 hours
• Best season to visit: midnight sun in June and July, Northern Lights from September to March

What are the best things to do in Lake Mývatn?

Dettifoss

Dettifoss is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe, 44 to 45 m high (about 145 ft) and about 100 m wide (330 ft). It is fed by the glacier river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, which flows from Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Above it is Selfoss, 10 m high, and below it is Hafragilsfoss, 27 m high.

It is about a 30-minute drive from Mývatn. The falls and the area on the east side of the river were protected in 1996, and Dettifoss is part of the Diamond Circle. If you have time, pair it with the other waterfalls nearby.

Hverfjall

Hverfjall has a circular explosion crater about 460 feet (140 m) deep and 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in diameter. Its age is estimated at around 2,800 to 2,900 years.

Bring sturdy shoes for the crater rim.

Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir consists of huge lava rock formations. Kaffi Borgir and the Mývatn Market stand at the entrance, so you can plan a coffee or a bite around the walk.

Skútustaðagígar

Skútustaðagígar are pseudo craters, formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands. The easy Tjarnahringur walk around Stakhólstjörn at Skútustaðir, graded step 1, takes 1 to 2 hours.

Krafla

The Krafla Caldera is 6 miles (10 km) long and 1 mile (2 km) deep, on the edge of the Eurasian and American tectonic plates. Krafla has had 29 recorded eruptions, the most recent being the Krafla Fires in the 1970s.

Höfði and Grjótagjá

Höfði is a rocky promontory reaching into Lake Mývatn, a good birdwatching site. Grjótagjá is a small cave in the area, formerly a popular bathing place.

Grjótagjá is a small cave that was formerly a popular bathing place, so plan a quick look.

When is the best time to visit Lake Mývatn for sightseeing?

Winter is cold: January highs reach 29°F (-2°C) with only half an hour of sunshine a day, so plan short outdoor stops. By April highs reach 37°F (3°C) and sunshine rises to 5 hours a day. The midnight sun can be experienced from June to July, and the Northern Lights are well visible from September to March.

Beaches and outdoor things to do in Lake Mývatn

The Mývatn Nature Baths draw geothermal water from depths of up to 2,500 meters. The Laugar swimming pool is 25 meters long at 86°F (30°C), with two hot tubs at 104°F (40°C) and 99°F (37°C). It lies 12 miles (20 km) north of Mývatnssveit.

On foot, the Norðurstrandarhringur is a marked circular route through the lava, graded step 2, medium, lasting 2 to 3 hours.

In winter, dog sledding runs on a trail of 4 to 6 miles (6 to 10 km) and takes approximately 45 to 70 minutes. Snowmobiling is a local favorite, and horse riding is possible on the frozen lake. The area is also good for cross-country skiing, with a small ski slope across Krafla Power Station.

Day trips from Lake Mývatn

The Diamond Circle is a circuit of 156 miles (251 km) in the Northeast of Iceland. It has 5 key destinations: Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon and Húsavík. It can take up to 10 hours.

• Diamond Circle: up to 10 hours · by car · for a full day
• Dettifoss: about 30 minutes each way · by car · for a short trip

The Icelandic highlands are accessible in summer, and in winter by snowmobiles or jeeps. Pick Dettifoss alone for a short day, and the full circuit if you have a car and a long day.

What to eat in Lake Mývatn

Kaffi Borgir and Mývatn Market stand at the entrance to Dimmuborgir, a handy stop before or after the lava walk. Vogafjós Farm Resort is on the east coast of the lake, and its restaurant is located beside the cowshed.

Things to do in Lake Mývatn at night

Oktoberfest Mývatn Öl 2026 takes place on October 30 and 31, 2026. The Mývatn Winter Festival 2027 runs February 26 to March 7, 2027, with competitions mostly on the frozen lake.

Things to do in Lake Mývatn with kids

The easy Tjarnahringur walk, 1 to 2 hours, suits young legs better than the 2 to 3 hour Norðurstrandarhringur. The Laugar pool’s hot tubs and the Nature Baths make a warm break.

In summer, the midnight sun from June to July gives long days for outings. From September to March, the Northern Lights are well visible.