After the rain yesterday, we wake up to a beautiful sunny morning. Perfect for a day of exploring around Lake Mÿvatn.
Not far from the hotel is Höfdi Promontory which reaches into the waters of the lake and is known for its interesting lava formations and rocky outcrops. The water in the lake is crystal clear.
Dimmuborgir Lava fields are the result of heavy volcanic action over the last few thousand years. The name translate to dark castles and is quite apt given the number of towering black formations and caves in the area.
The caves are also said to be the winter home of the Yule Lads and we see evidence of their existence in the first cave. They shelter there around Christmas time.
Great little cafe here Kaffi Borgir with good coffee and carrot cake AND we get a voucher to use the toilet so we don't have to pay 200kr . Everyone's a winner!!!
It's not even 11am and we have clocked up our 10000 steps already!
Unfortunately are lively morning has deteriorated and it has started to rain so we give the next stop a miss. It was to be a climb up a 396m ash cone with a walk around the rim but not enjoyable in the rain.
We make the all important stop at the supermarket to get lovely fresh baguettes, some skinka (ham) and potato chips so we can have a picnic lunch somewhere.
It's raining quite steadily now so we jump out of the car quickly to take same photos of a bubbling, steaming lake and then a blue crater lake ( seems familiar)
To the north of Lake Mÿvatn are the warm lava fields of Krafla Caldera. Krafla is the volcano that caused havoc in the region with what was called the Krafla fires in the 70's and 80's. It is a large geothermal area of hissing steam vents and bubbling mud pools. As it's still raining, we decide to eat our lunch in the car before walking through the lava fields. The rain has eased a little so we put on our jackets and hoods and looking like a couple of teletubbles we trundle off up the hill. I have run out of words to describe what we see. This landscape has been shaped by a massive lava flow and the rocks are warm to touch. The wind and rain is making it cold so after the hour walk it nice to get back into the protection of the car.
There is a massive Geothermal power plant nestled in this valley.
By the time we get down from the lava fields the rain has stopped so we are able to stop at the foothills of the Námafjall Mountain to look at the hot springs called Hverarönd. There are fumaroles (steam springs) and bubbling mud pools (solfataras). There is absolutely no vegetation here at the Námaskard pass as the high temperature of the ground, the constant emission of sulphureous fumes has made the ground sterile and acidic. Nothing can survive here. The fumes are overwhelming and it's very muddy so a quick look is enough.
We follow a side road and come across a cave called Grjótagjá. It was once a popular bathing spot but due to the geological activity between 1975 and 1984, the temperature of the water rose so high that it is no longer possible to bathe there. The water is crystal clear and it would have been a lovely private spot if they hadn't put signs all around!
We have had a very active day today and the late afternoon is fine. We make an unscheduled coffee stop at a cafe in a cowshed. The cows are in the barn alongside the cafe. Different but a family run farm that make their own cheeses, cream etc.
Our last stop on the way back is to Skútustadagigar Craters. They were formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands. There are many birds now around the lake and ducks and white swans on the lake. Back at the Laxa Hotel for the second night and we have time for a drink still within happy hour. The hotel is very new, maybe 2 years old and is eco friendly with turf rooftops on the flat building it is in a perfect position sitting up high overlooking the surrounding countryside.