Day 4: The road to Myvatn

Driving Route: Holmur -> Hofn -> Egilsstadir -> Reykjalid (Myvatn)

Today was mostly a driving day. Destination Reykjahlid which is near Myvatn. We considered stopping by a village in the East Fjords. After circling a couple tedious baby fjords, we changed our minds. I'm getting a little concerned about traveling the West Fjords. More of the same? * Shudder *

We're leaving Holmur here. The rainbow is consolation for dreary skies and rain.


We got to Reykjahlid in good time! We left Holmur at around 7am. Stopped in Hofn to stock up on groceries. Also stopped on the way for lunch and arrived at Myvatn around 3pm. We went to the info center which was very helpful. You can book bus tours to Askja from here. There's also a tour to Lofthellir ice caves which we sadly had to miss since it's only offered certain days. :(

Last eruption at Krafla was 1976. That sure explains the random steam coming from the ground and the smell of rotten eggs at Leirhnjukur.


Huge crater viti (can you spot me in red?)! The water in the crater is aquamarine blue and so pretty. Heard the water is freezing though.



Places Covered: Hofn (kinda drove through down), Eastfjords (drive by), Myvatn Area (Krafla, Leirhnjukur, Viti, Hverir)


Accommodation: Elda Guesthouse. Good central location. Basic but clean with sinks in-room. Decent spread at breakfast. (Don't expect too much it's Iceland!) Cereal, toast, cold cuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled fish, coffee, juice. They also have free wireless and a well equipped kitchen (no flies). The bathroom smelled stinky like sulphur but I suppose it's the region and the water. A variety of people staying here. Some families with older kids, some younger couples like us. Also some European tour groups?

What i wish I'd known:
Don't be clueless and book your tours (Lofthellir, Askja) ahead of time.

Askja Bus Tour
Super Jeep Ice Cave Tour - From Hotel Reykjalid
Super Jeep Askja Tour - From Hotel Reykjalid

Could easily have spent another half day at Myvatn. I only scheduled 2.5 days.


>> Take me to Day 5!

My Iceland Travel Blog Index

Day 1: Hello Reykjavik!
Day 2: Battling Nature? Not for the Faint Hearted
Day 3: It's a Beautiful Day (channel: U2)
Day 4: The road to Myvatn
Day 5: Iphone Malfunction
Day 5: All Fossed Out
Day 5: Jarbodin - Spa Myvatn
Day 6: The Barren Interior and Askja
Day 7: Off the Beaten Path
Day 8: Hellish Driving Day!
Day 9: Revenge of the Puffins
Day 9: Food and Botched Reservations
Day 9: Nuni? No Nüni ....
Day 10: Time to Say Goodbye