Mývatn
|
July 2006: Exploring Mývatn. |
Mývatn is a cold shallow lake in the north of Iceland. It's surrounded by a number of natural points of interest, making it a popular destination area for lots of tourists. The lake is dotted with numerous volcanic islands and formations. |
These volcanic columns are located on the western shore of Mývatn. |
The sun and clouds make for an interesting contrast on the south shore of Mývatn. The name Mývatn means "Midge Water" or "Midge Lake". Midges are tiny flies that can swarm on warm summer days. They rarely bite, but fly into your nose, eyes, ears and mouth - making outdoor activities utterly intolerable unless you wear a headnet (which works quite well). Luckily, the wind often keeps them away. |
There are a number of things to do near Mývatn - a lot of short hikes, visits to Námafjall, Krafla, and a large natural hot pool just up the road. This photo is of a small forested area on the western shore. A number of hiking paths lead through the spindly trees. It's a refreshing change of view, and a great place to get out of the wind! |
Where is it? Mývatn is located in the north of Iceland - look on any map and you can't miss it. |
Before you go... There is a fairly good store at the town of Reykjahlið on the northeast shore, and a few campgrounds (the largest one is near the store). |