18 pictures of magical Mývatnssveit in North Iceland

The biosphere in lake Mývatn is in many ways unique.

The biosphere in lake Mývatn is in many ways unique. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

Mývatnssveit is an area of extremes in North East Iceland. Lake Mývatn with its deep blue colour and unique biosphere. Surrounded by old craters, some half covered with moss. 

Close by there is Dimmuborgir, a field of tall stacks of dark lava in different shapes and sizes. Walking around it creates a feeling of being in a maze.

Námaskarð isn't far off, with bubbling clay and water, steam rising up from every hole in the ground.

The high altitudes makes it one of the coldest habitated places in Iceland in winter. The change is drastic when warm summer comes and changes the blue/white winterland into green, where moss and grass covere much of ancient lava fields.

Námaskarð geothermal area.

Námaskarð geothermal area. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

Mývatn turns into a wonderland in winter.

Mývatn turns into a wonderland in winter. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Birkir Fanndal

Many of the craters by the lake are covered in …

Many of the craters by the lake are covered in moss and grass. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

The autumn colours in Mývatn are beautiful.

The autumn colours in Mývatn are beautiful. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Brynjar Gauti

Leirhnjúkur geothermal area, close to Krafla volcano.

Leirhnjúkur geothermal area, close to Krafla volcano. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

The surface of lake Mývatn usually freezes in winter.

The surface of lake Mývatn usually freezes in winter. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Birkir Fanndal Haraldsson

Fall colours at Mývatn

Fall colours at Mývatn Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

Bubbling geothermal water at Námaskarð

Bubbling geothermal water at Námaskarð Photo: Iceland Monitor/Heiðar Kristjánsson

There are many craters surrounding the lake.

There are many craters surrounding the lake. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

Dimmuborgir are tall lava stacks by Mývatn.

Dimmuborgir are tall lava stacks by Mývatn. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Golli / Kjartan Þorbjörnsson

Kálfaströnd Farm by lake Mývatn.

Kálfaströnd Farm by lake Mývatn. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Birkir Fanndal Haraldsson

Mývatnssveit is often one of the coldest places in Iceland …

Mývatnssveit is often one of the coldest places in Iceland in winter. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Birkir Fanndal

Walking around Dimmuborgir feels a bit like walking through a …

Walking around Dimmuborgir feels a bit like walking through a maze. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Árni Sæberg

Mývatn is less than 100 km away from Akureyri, the …

Mývatn is less than 100 km away from Akureyri, the biggest town in North Iceland. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Birkir Fanndal Haraldsson

Námaskarð geothermal area.

Námaskarð geothermal area. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Rax / Ragnar Axelsson

Krafla Volcano isn't far from Mývatn, it last erupted for …

Krafla Volcano isn't far from Mývatn, it last erupted for 9 years, 1975-1984.

The fish at Mývatn feeds on the midge flies the …

The fish at Mývatn feeds on the midge flies the lake is named after.

Mývatnssveit is in North East Iceland.

Mývatnssveit is in North East Iceland. Photo: map.is

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