Yet another day where we decided to stay in Northern Iceland and behold the beauty of one of the prettiest region of whole Iceland. We decided to visit all the nearby wonders followed by an evening in Mývatn thermal spa. But before we could enjoy our well deserved geothermal baths, we had a lot to see and cherish. The places to be covered today are:
- Dettifoss Waterfall
- Selfoss Waterfall
- Hverfjall Crater – one of the few volcanic craters you can literally walk into
- Dimmuborgir Lava Field
- Mývatn Geothermal Area
- Mývatn Thermal Spa
Today marks another day filled with less travel and more exploration. Our next lodging is situated approximately 36 kilometers away, but we will travel around 150 kilometers to check out various sights in the area.
In the morning, I suggest visiting Dettifoss and Selfoss before they become too crowded later in the day. Dettifoss is recognized as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, while Selfoss, though smaller, is a more graceful waterfall located just upstream. You can approach Dettifoss and Selfoss from either side, but it would require a solid five hours to do so. We opted to explore both waterfalls from the eastern side instead of the western side, which is contrary to where most tourists flock and is also better equipped for large crowds and vehicles. From the western side, you can view Dettifoss from both the upper and lower viewing platforms. The upper deck is about 800 meters from the parking area, and you can genuinely feel the ground vibrating beneath you due to the immense force of the waterfalls. The lower viewpoint brings you closer to the falls, but getting there involves a steep downhill walk that is absolutely worthwhile. When you decide to return to the parking lot, you’ll notice signs directing you to Selfoss. This path follows the river and is roughly a 1-kilometer rocky trail. From this vantage point, you can only glimpse a small section of Selfoss, but it is stunning and worth the trek. The complete loop to visit both Dettifoss and Selfoss is around 2.5 to 3 kilometers and can take between 1 to 1.5 hours if you plan to snap plenty of photos. Once you return to the parking area, you can also check out Hafragilsfoss by following the signs, although the main viewpoint for Hafragilsfoss is on the eastern side. We passed on this waterfall since we were heading towards the east side, which would take more time anyway.
Experiencing Dettifoss and Selfoss from the eastern side offers a distinctly different perspective. To reach the viewpoints, you will navigate a narrow dirt road. This road is well-kept and suitable for regular vehicles, but be ready for some bumpy areas and potholes. The road is accessible only from May to October and can be challenging depending on the weather conditions.
Similar to the west side, there is a shared parking area for both Dettifoss and Selfoss, though this one is significantly smaller, accommodating around 30 to 40 cars. To reach Dettifoss, you need to take a 10-minute stroll (approximately 400 meters) down a steep, rocky path. As you near the waterfall, numerous spots offer great photo opportunities. Here, you can truly sense the waterfall’s immense power. The sound is thunderous as the water cascades over the edge, making it an awe-inspiring sight. From Dettifoss, you’ll walk 1 kilometer to reach Selfoss. This pathway is rougher compared to the one on the west side. From the eastern vantage point, you can witness the entire Selfoss waterfall, which is shaped like a horseshoe. The total walking distance is roughly the same—about 2.5 to 3 kilometers on either side—and the time taken is similar, aside from the additional driving on unpaved roads.
We spent the remainder of our day exploring the attractions around Mývatn. We began by checking out the geothermal area of Hverir, conveniently located right by the roadside, making it impossible to miss. Be sure to park correctly, as many people tend to park on the side of the road, which isn’t safe at all. Next, we wandered through the Dimmuborgir Lava fields and hiked to the summit of Hverfjall crater. I assure you, this is the steepest hike I have ever experienced. From the parking area, the summit is visible, making you question how one could possibly reach it while trekking uphill on a gravel trail, especially with strong winds. It was challenging, but absolutely rewarding to stand inside the crater of a volcano.
After descending, you could plan to explore Grjótagjá Cave, a stunning site featured in Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, we missed this since we had reservations at Mývatn Geothermal Bath. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the Mývatn Geothermal Bath, which was incredibly relaxing after a day packed with activities. After a delightful three-hour soak, we savored some delicious Icelandic soups at the cafeteria in Mývatn Geothermal and then headed straight to our lodging, which was yet another secluded cabin located in Einarsstaðir.
Two Yellow Jackets 