Summary
Volcanoes, steaming lava fields, bubbling mud pools, waterfalls, and geothermal springs await in primordial North Iceland.
In this region, located just a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, one may feel as though they have reached the edge of the Earth.
The natural wonders of North Iceland are spread across a vast, sparsely populated area, with the largest town being Akureyri, which accommodates merely 18,000 residents.
To facilitate exploration, itineraries such as the Diamond Circle guide travelers from the remote port at Húsavík to magnificent glacial canyons, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and Lake Mývatn, renowned for its distinctive volcanic landscapes.
The coastline of the Greenland Sea serves as the premier location for whale watching in Iceland, and Húsavík boasts a world-class museum dedicated to the cetaceans of the North Atlantic.
Let us delve into the premier activities in North Iceland:
1. Herring Era Museum
Located in Siglufjörður, this former salting station was once the heart of Iceland’s thriving herring fishery.
In the early 20th century, Siglufjörður was aptly nicknamed the “Atlantic Klondike,” attracting numerous speculators eager to partake in the wealth generated by the Atlantic herring.
The salting station ceased operations in 1969 after the herring population diminished dramatically in this area. Subsequently, a collection of buildings was transformed into a museum in 1994. The Róaldsbrakki, a Norwegian salting station established in 1907, houses artifacts such as salting barrels and historical photographs that encapsulate the atmosphere of Siglufjörður during its prosperous days.
The Grána factory from the 1930s features machinery sourced from various herring locations throughout Iceland, while the Boathouse provides insight into the bustling waterfront of Siglufjörður, showcasing ten vessels along its piers.
2. Lake Mývatn
Situated near the Krafla Volcano, Lake Mývatn is cherished for its abundant salmon and trout populations, and the surrounding wetlands are designated as a natural park.
This lake was formed by an eruption approximately 2,300 years ago and is situated within a unique volcanic landscape characterized by rootless vents and lava pillars.
The avian life along the shores is remarkably diverse, and a new Bird Museum has been established to catalog the various waterfowl species (including common scoter, red-breasted merganser, and gadwall) that visit the lake during the summer months.
Surrounding the lake is a fascinating array of volcanic formations, including craters, geothermal pools, and bubbling sulfur springs.
3. Krafla
The active Krafla caldera, measuring ten kilometers in diameter and up to two kilometers deep, is located near Lake Mývatn and features warm lava fields adorned with volcanic structures such as rifts, gullies, and lava flows.
Between 1975 and 1984, nine eruptions occurred at Krafla, during which a significant magma chamber was revealed at the surface.
A trail at Leirhnjukur winds through sulfuric terrain, where steam rises from the earth, and vibrant mosses can be observed along the path.
It is advisable to steer clear of the light clay, as it can reach temperatures sufficient to damage footwear.
Vítí Maar, also known as the Crater of Hell, is a crater formed from a steam explosion in 1724 and contains a striking teal-colored lake.
4. Mývatn Nature Bath
Located uphill from Lake Mývatn, this serene geothermal pool serves as a quieter alternative to the Blue Lagoon in Grindavík.
Offering scenic views of the lake, the Mývatn Nature Bath provides a relaxing geothermal experience, ideal for soothing oneself after traversing lava fields.
The thermal waters are reputed to be beneficial for respiratory and skin conditions.
The Mývatn Nature Bath boasts ample space for relaxation, promoting a more tranquil atmosphere, and visitors are welcome to bring beverages into the pool while enjoying the verdant views of Lake Mývatn.
The main pool maintains a temperature in the high-30s Celsius, complemented by two steam baths with temperatures reaching nearly 50°C.
5. Hveraströnd Sulphur Springs
Located east of Lake Mývatn, beneath the shadow of Námfjall, a geothermal field lies along the mid-Atlantic Ridge, where subsurface temperatures exceed 200°C. The striking landscape resembles a different world, characterized by boiling mud pools, steam fumaroles, and sulfur-stained terrain devoid of vegetation.
Visitors are encouraged to capture the stark beauty and the plumes of steam rising from the hissing fumaroles and pools using their cameras.
During the late Medieval period, Hveraströnd served as a significant source of sulfur used in the early production of gunpowder.
6. Grjótagjá
Fans of Game of Thrones may wish to visit this exquisite lava cave featuring a hot spring, situated approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Lake Mývatn.
In the episode “Kissed by Fire” from season 3, this is where Jon Snow and Ygritte share a significant moment, resulting in Jon’s break from his Night’s Watch oath.
While the cave’s pool had been used for bathing since the 1930s, it became excessively hot following the Krafla eruptions in the 1970s and 80s.
However, since the 1990s, temperatures have lowered to below 45°C, allowing for bathing once again.
7. Dimmuborgir
Translating to “Dark Castles,” Dimmuborgir comprises a series of unusual lava fields formed from an eruption that occurred approximately 2,300 years ago.
Located just beyond the eastern shore of Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir was created when ten meters of lava pooled atop a small lake and marsh.
As the underlying water boiled, steam permeating the lava resulted in the formation of striking structures such as pillars, arches, and bridges.
The top layer of lava gradually drained away, leaving these haunting formations behind.
Dimmuborgir is unique in being the only location globally where such volcanic formations can be observed on land.
Visitors can also enjoy Hverabrauð, a traditional sweet rye bread prepared in special wooden casks buried in geothermally heated ground, available at the café.
8. Jökulsárgljúfur
The second longest river in Iceland, Jökulsá á Fjöllum, has sculpted a breathtaking canyon measuring 25 kilometers in length, up to 500 meters in width, and 120 meters in depth.
This canyon features a series of waterfalls: Selfoss, Dettifoss, Hafragilsfoss, and Réttarfoss.
This natural monument now forms the northernmost section of the expansive Vatnajökull National Park, which encompasses a significant portion of eastern Iceland.
Among the spectacular sights in the canyon is Hljóðaklettar, a cluster of striking basalt columns arranged vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.
9. Ásbyrgi
Like many destinations on this list, Ásbyrgi is accessible via the Diamond Circle and warrants a visit when traveling through the Jökulsárgljúfur area.
This horseshoe-shaped canyon lies just west of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river and was formed by massive glacial flooding that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age, around 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, with an additional shaping event occurring approximately 3,000 years ago.
The towering canyon walls reach heights of up to 100 meters and support a diverse forest comprising birch, willow, larch, spruce, and pine along the borders of the Botnstjörn lake, a remnant from a time when the Jökulsá á Fjöllum flowed through this area.
Within this formation sits the Eyjan (Island) rock, which provides a photo-worthy vantage point of the stunning surroundings.
The traditional tale surrounding Ásbyrgi is that it was created from the hoofprint of Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse.
10. Goðafoss
Spanning thirty meters wide and rising twelve meters high, Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) captivates visitors throughout the year and is celebrated as one of Europe’s most stunning waterfalls.
The most spectacular time to witness the falls is during late spring when the cascades are adorned with icicles.
The waterfall’s name, Goðafoss, is derived from a story found in Ari Þorgilsson’s Íslendingabók, which was penned in the early 12th century.
In 999, Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, the lawspeaker, famously cast his pagan idols into the falls after determining that Iceland should officially embrace Christianity during the Althing (parliament). The falls are situated along the 178-kilometer Skjálfandafljót river, which originates from the Vatnajökull ice cap in the Highlands.
11. Dettifoss
Dettifoss is recognized as Iceland’s most voluminous waterfall regarding discharge, situated in the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
This monumental waterfall, which stands 40 meters high and spans 100 meters wide, boasts an average flow rate of 193 cubic meters per second.
As a prominent feature of the Diamond Circle, Dettifoss may be familiar to those who have seen Ridley Scott’s Prometheus (2012). The powerful water discharge creates a thunderous sound and sends mist soaring above the canyon walls.
On sunny days, visitors may be treated to a rainbow arching through the canyon.
Access to Dettifoss is possible via the gravel Route 864 and the more recently constructed tarmacked Route 862.
A remarkable hiking trail from this waterfall to Ásbyrgi, spanning approximately 30 kilometers, presents a unique opportunity for adventure.
12. Húsavík
Situated just below the Arctic Circle, the fishing port of Húsavík, located in Skjálfandi Bay, is said to be the first spot in Iceland to be settled by Norsemen in the winter of 870, as recorded in the Landnámabók (Book of Settlement). From this port, silica extracted at Lake Mývatn was exported to Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
Today, Húsavík serves as a vital hub for the fishing industry along the northern coast and is recognized as the premier destination in Iceland for whale watching excursions.
The Húsavík Whale Museum, housed in the town’s former slaughterhouse, offers an exceptional exhibition concerning the whales inhabiting the North Atlantic.
Visitors can access detailed information about various cetacean species, their ecosystems, and the historical and contemporary aspects of the whaling industry in Iceland.
The museum also features complete skeletons of species such as minke, sperm, pilot, humpback, beaked, and bottlenose whales.
13. Whale Watching Tours
From April to September, over 20 types of cetaceans can be observed in the waters surrounding Iceland. Consequently, Húsavík’s location within Skjálfandi Bay on the Greenland Sea makes it the optimal spot for whale watching.
For approximately ISK 12,500 ($100), multiple companies offer three-hour tours of the bay, during which the likelihood of witnessing fins, tails, blowholes, or full breaches is quite high.
Participants will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides who can provide insights into the behavior of minke, humpback, and blue whales, ensuring that no sighting goes unnoticed.
The islands in the bay, such as Flatey and Lundey, also host significant puffin colonies worth observing.
Frequently, cold-weather gear is provided, and complimentary hot chocolate along with a cinnamon roll will enhance your experience.
14. Laufás
Situated on Eyjafjörður, Laufás was first mentioned during the Settlement of Iceland in the early 10th century.
Visitors can explore a historic manor/farm dating back to the 1600s, all framed by a picturesque mountainous backdrop.
This grand manor house, constructed during the latter half of the 19th century, utilizes timber sourced from 200 years prior. The on-site church, dating from the same period, features fittings that are significantly older, including a pulpit from 1698. The manor’s outbuildings, which include charming Icelandic turf houses, are furnished with agricultural tools and everyday implements from the early 20th century when the farm was operational.
15. Akureyri Botanical Garden
Located in Akureyri, at the southern end of Eyjafjörður, this tranquil botanical attraction is set in one of the most extreme locations for a garden worldwide.
Though Akureyri lies just 50 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, it benefits from a surprisingly warm microclimate, sheltered by mountains that mitigate harsh winds.
This garden was established as a public park in 1912 and has functioned as a botanical garden since 1957, currently nurturing approximately 7,000 species from Arctic, temperate, and mountainous regions.
Among these, around 400 species thrive in the southeastern corner of the garden, featuring flora native to Iceland’s heaths and mountains, such as dwarf birch, Bellard’s kobresia, highland rush, dwarf fireweed, and moss campion.
