Like Þingvellir National Park to the south, Mývatn (MEE-va-ten) is a collision point of the European and North American tectonic plates, creating a volatile volcanic environment prone to eruption. The current landscape was shaped by 18th-century eruptions and, more recently, an eruption to the north that started in 1975 and didn’t end until 1984. The focal point of the area is Lake Mývatn, a shallow body of water less than 4m deep, scarred by many small craters and surrounded by canyons, volcanoes, hot springs, and cooled lava sculpture gardens. Due to its depth, the lake is an ideal breeding ground for flies. Of note is the myvargur fly, whose name roughly translates to “tiny aggressive wolf.” Heed locals’ warnings and bring a mosquito mask to enjoy the scenery for any extended period of time. The freshwater Mývatn Nature Baths are a 4km hike from Reynihlíð, a small town on Lake Mývatn 99km east of Akureyri. Facing the lake, with the Verslun supermarket to your back, turn left, walk past the info office, and take your first right on Rte. 1. Walk for 20min. (☎464 4411; www.naturebaths.com. Open daily June-Aug. 9am-midnight; Sept.-May noon-10pm. 1400ISK. Towel and swimsuit rental 350ISK each. AmEx/MC/V.) Hverfjall, a massive 2000-year-old volcanic crater, is clearly visible from town. The caves at Grotagja, farther north along a circle hike, feature hot water baths. Dimmuborgir, south of Hverfjall, is a forest of fantastic natural lava formations, the most famous being kirkja, which resembles a Gothic church. According to legend, Þorgeir, a 10th-century Icelandic lawmaker, flung statues of pagan gods into a waterfall in AD 1000 to celebrate Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. As a result of the event, the waterfall was named Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods). The waterfall is 50km from both Akureyri and Húsavík off Rte. 1.
The cheapest lodgings in Reynihlíð are clustered around the Verslun supermarket. Guesthouse Elda is also available here. (☎464 4240; ferdabjarg@simnet.is. Campground open mid-June to Aug. Campsites 850ISK; singles 5900ISK; doubles 8700ISK; triples 11,500ISK. AmEx/MC/V.) Pick up groceries or a snack for the trail at Verslun, at the bus stop in Reynihlíð.
Catch a bus from Akureyri to Reynihlíð (open June-Aug. daily 8:00am, 2500ISK). SBA buses run from Húsavík (45min., June-Aug. 1pm and 5pm, 1800ISK). The tourist office is located right at the bus stop in Reynihlíð. (Open Oct.-May M-F 10am-4pm.) The Reynihlíð information office, Hraunvegur 8, next to the supermarket, has maps. (☎464 4390; infomyvatn@est.is. Open daily mid-June to Aug. 9am-7pm; from Sept. to mid-June 9am-5pm. Maps 150ISK.)
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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