Lake Mývatn sits in north-east Iceland, 294 miles (473 km) from Reykjavik and about an hour’s drive from Akureyri. It suits travelers who want lava fields, steaming ground, a warm lagoon and easy walks, all within a short drive of each other.
Getting around is the catch. Public transport beyond Húsavík is very limited, and the Akureyri bus to Reykjahlíð runs in summer. A private car makes the area simple to cover.
At a glance
- Location: north-east Iceland, 294 miles (473 km) from Reykjavik
- From Akureyri: about 1 hour by car, driving clockwise
- Flights: Icelandair flies daily between Akureyri and Reykjavik Domestic Airport, about 45 minutes
- Lake circuit: roughly 22 miles (36 km), 3 to 5 hours by bike
- Northern Lights: well visible from September to March
- Midnight sun: June to July
Where is Lake Mývatn and what is it like?
Mývatn lies in the north-east of Iceland, right by Road no. 1, the ring road. It’s 294 miles (473 km) from Reykjavik and 102 miles (164 km) from Egilsstaðir. Driving clockwise, Akureyri is about 1 hour away and Egilsstaðir about 2 hours.
The lake covers 14 square miles (37 km2) and has around 50 islands. It’s the 4th largest lake in Iceland. Around it you find pseudocraters, a large explosion crater called Hverfjall, the lava maze of Dimmuborgir and a rocky promontory, Höfði, that reaches into the water. Trails link most of these, so the pace is slow and outdoors.
The landscape has a long history behind it. Hverfjall is estimated at around 2,800 to 2,900 years old. Skútustaðagígar, the pseudocraters on the south shore, have been protected as a natural monument since 1973.
Where to go in Lake Mývatn
Skútustaðagígar and Skútustaðir
Skútustaðagígar lies by Skútustaðir on the south shore of the lake. It’s a nature preserve of close to 70 hectares (about 173 acres). It’s also a popular site for birdwatchers, especially in spring.
Two easy marked footpaths start here: Gígahringur, 0.9 miles (1.5 km), and Tjarnarhringur, 2.2 miles (3.5 km). The Gígur Visitor Centre is at Skútustaðir and is open all year. Park rangers there give information on nature and hiking.
Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir is a lava field of huge rock formations, known as the Dark Castles. It’s 0.6 miles (1 km) across and has several walking paths. That makes it a good stop for anyone who likes to choose between a short stroll and a longer loop.
The Norðurstrandarhringur is a marked circular route through the lava, graded medium, and takes 2 to 3 hours. Dimmuborgir Guesthouse offers cottages and double rooms all year, so the area works for a stay as well as a visit.
Hverfjall
Hverfjall is a circular explosion crater about 460 feet (140 m) deep and 3,300 feet (1,000 m) across.
Dimmuborgir, the Mývatn Nature Baths and Grjótagjá Cave are only a few minutes away by car from Vogar. Staying nearby lets you fit two or three of them into one day.
Höfði
Höfði is a rocky promontory reaching into Lake Mývatn. It gives a good view of the lake’s coves and inlets. It suits a slow walk when you want the water rather than the lava.
Goðafoss, Dettifoss and the Diamond Circle
Goðafoss is a waterfall in Skjálfandafljót, in Bárðardalur. Dettifoss lies in Jökulsá á Fjöllum, part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Both belong to the Diamond Circle, a circuit of about 155 miles (251 km) in the north-east. Its five key stops are Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon and Húsavík. Road 862 on the west bank between Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss is fully paved and open to any standard car.
What is there to do in Lake Mývatn?
Earth Lagoon and the hot water
Earth Lagoon is at Jarðbaðshólar, right by the ring road. It offers a lagoon, a steam bath and scenic views. The water comes from depths of up to 8,200 feet (2,500 meters).
The lagoon water runs from 97 to 104°F (36 to 40°C).
There are four types of massage, from 30 to 60 minutes. Free trail maps are available at reception. A soak after a morning of walking is an easy way to plan the day.
Walks and cycling around the lake
Easy walking is the main activity. The Tjarnahringur around Stakhólstjörn at Skútustaðir is a step 1 route and takes 1 to 2 hours. The Kirkjuhringurinn Church route is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and takes about 1 hour. The Norðurstrandarhringur through the lava takes 2 to 3 hours and is graded medium.
The full lake circuit is roughly 22 to 23 miles (36 to 37 km) and takes 3 to 5 hours by bike. Bike rentals are available in Reykjahlíð. There are many places to stop along the way.
Organised day tours from Akureyri cover the main highlights with transport included. The Mývatn tour goes around the lake and stops at Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Kálfaströnd, Hverfjall, Námaskarð, Víti, Krafla and Jarðböðin. Walkers and cyclists have the most freedom here. Travelers without a car can use a tour.
Winter activities and northern lights
Winter brings a different set of activities. Dog sledding tours run on a scenic trail of 4 to 6 miles (6 to 10 km) and take approximately 45 to 70 minutes. The kennel is at the farm Heiði. Snowmobiling is one of the locals’ favorite ways of getting through the arctic conditions, and horse riding is possible on the frozen lake.
The area and the surrounding highlands are good for cross-country skiing. There’s a small ski slope across from Krafla Power Station. Northern Lights are well visible from September to March, and Hotel Laxa runs an Aurora Wake-Up Service for guests who sign up at check-in.
If you want lava and short walks, the shoreline and Dimmuborgir fit. For the aurora, plan a winter stay. The area suits travelers without a car less, since public transport is limited.
Where to stay in Lake Mývatn
Most lodging sits around the lake. Vogafjós Farm Resort is on the east coast and combines a family-owned guesthouse, a restaurant and a boutique. Vogar Travel Service is a small family-run guesthouse in the Mývatn area, open since 1992. Hotel Laxa is a modern hotel built in 2014. Slow Travel Mývatn is a guesthouse in Þúfa.
Rooms vary in comfort. All rooms at Vogafjós have a private bathroom. Vogar has 20 rooms with shared bathrooms and 8 with private facilities. Hlíð offers sleeping bag beds in four-bed rooms without a private bathroom, and 6 private huts. Dimmuborgir Guesthouse has cottages and double rooms all year.
For tents and campers, Mývatn Campsite is a short walk from the lake and open year-round. The Vogar campsite has views of Hverfjall, and electrical hookups carry an extra fee. Campsite guests get a discount on menu pizzas at Daddi’s Pizza. Vogafjós is also open all year, which helps in winter.
How do you get to Lake Mývatn and get around?
Icelandair flies daily between Akureyri and Reykjavik Domestic Airport, about 45 minutes. The airport is on the edge of the city, a 5 to 10 minute car ride to the center. From Akureyri, Earth Lagoon is about 1 hour by car, driving clockwise.
By bus, Strætó 57 runs between the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavík and Akureyri several times a week, taking around 6 to 7 hours. Strætó 56 connects Akureyri to Reykjahlíð in summer and takes about 1 hour.
Once there, a car gives the most freedom. The Diamond Circle is roughly 155 miles (250 km). Road 862 between Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss is paved. Highland F-roads need a 4WD vehicle and are open only in summer, typically from June.
The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel near Akureyri is electronic toll only. Register and pay at tunnelen.is within 3 hours before or 24 hours after passing through. Public transport beyond Húsavík is very limited. Remote destinations are best reached by private car.
When should you go to Lake Mývatn?
Winter and early spring are cold. January runs a high of 29°F (-2°C) and a low of 17°F (-8°C), with 8 rainy days. April warms to a high of 37°F (3°C). Sunshine climbs from half an hour a day in January to nearly 5 hours in April.
The midnight sun can be experienced from June to July. Highland F-roads open only in summer, typically from June. Travelers who want long days and highland access should plan for summer. Those chasing the aurora, dog sledding or snowmobiling should come in winter.
What to know before visiting Lake Mývatn
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), no visa is needed for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
- Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area. It is recommended to have 6 months’ validity.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required.
- Bike rentals are available in Reykjahlíð for the lake circuit.
Booking Lake Mývatn for November: what to know
November falls inside the northern lights season, so book rooms ahead. At Hotel Laxa, guests sign up on a list at check-in for the Aurora Wake-Up Service.
At the Vogar campsite, check in by scanning the QR code at the entrance or by using the self-service kiosk. Vogar can be reached at +354 464 4399, also its 24-hour emergency contact. Mývatn Accommodation (Hlíð) can be reached at [email protected] and +354 899 6203.
Sources
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/en/travel-info/practical-information/faq-north-iceland), checked 2026-10-30
- earthlagoon.is (https://www.earthlagoon.is/?app_v2=true%2525252F%2525252Ftabellino), checked 2026-10-30
- visitmyvatn.is (https://www.visitmyvatn.is/en/love), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/slow-travel-myvatn/), checked 2026-10-30
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/en/service/vogar), checked 2026-10-30
- umhverfisstofnun.is (https://umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/protected-areas/north-east/skutustadagigar/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitmyvatn.is (https://www.visitmyvatn.is/is), checked 2026-10-30
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/diamondcircle/place/skutustadagigar), checked 2026-10-30