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A volcanic lake in northern Iceland with geothermal springs, lava formations and rich birdlife. The Laxá River flows from here, known for its salmon fishing.
The Mývatn and Laxá Nature Reserve spans 4,400 km² across northern Iceland's volcanic terrain. At Lake Mývatn, you'll walk among twisted lava formations and steam vents, while brown trout swim in the crystal-clear Laxá river channels. Watch rare Barrow's goldeneye ducks dive for food, climb the massive Hverfjall crater, or soak in the 36-40°C geothermal waters of Mývatn Nature Baths surrounded by volcanic landscape.
When you explore Mývatn, you'll walk on ground shaped by a massive lava fissure eruption 2,300 years ago. The eruption created the lake and left behind perfectly formed pseudo craters - still visible today. East of the lake, the 396-meter Hverfjall crater dominates the skyline. At Dimmuborgir, follow paths through a maze of black lava towers and natural arches formed by collapsed lava tubes.
Mývatn and Laxá host the largest concentration of duck species in Europe, with fifteen species nesting here regularly. In summer, you'll spot 700 pairs of red-breasted mergansers, 1000 pairs of Eurasian wigeons, and 200 pairs of mallards. The lake's waters teem with aquatic insects and small organisms, attracting rock ptarmigans and occasional gyr falcons.
The Laxá river branches into multiple channels near Lake Mývatn, creating fishing spots in both quiet pools and rushing rapids. Brown trout here typically weigh between 2 to 5 pounds, though some reach 13 pounds. Early spring fishing works best with streamers, while weighted nymphs catch more fish later in the season.
The town of Reykjahlíð has a gas station and supermarket for essential supplies. Drive 6-7 hours from Reykjavík on Route 1, or just over an hour from Akureyri. Summer temperatures average 10.2°C with nearly constant daylight. Winter brings sub-zero temperatures and snow. With only 400mm of annual precipitation, this is one of Iceland's driest regions.
Walk the kilometer-long trail at Námafjall past steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, where ground temperatures exceed 200°C. The Mývatn Nature Baths contain 3.5 million liters of mineral-rich water. Visit Dettifoss waterfall, where water drops 44 meters across a 100-meter width, making it Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume.
