Today's itinerary was to climb the crater. A heavy snowfall changed everything, transforming us into a winter wonderland. The early summer scenery suddenly transformed into a snowy spectacle – truly magical! The hike up, even without snow, took about 20 minutes. The climb from the base of the mountain, which was covered in snow, meant it took at least 30 minutes to reach the entrance. Once there, we only hiked a short distance, taking in some views of Lake Mývatn before descending without circling the crater.
Hverfjall is a 396-meter (1,300-foot) volcanic ash crater located near the eastern shore of Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. It resembles a massive black ash cone, and you can ascend the steep slopes and skirt the crater's rim for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Hiking to the summit of Hverfjall is a popular activity. There are two routes up: one from the northwest and one from the south. Due to the fragile environment, using other routes or leaving the trail is strictly prohibited. The hike to the rim takes about 20 minutes, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Lake Mývatn, Dimbojír, and the surrounding lava fields, especially on a clear day.
Scene inside the crater
The view of Lake Myvatn in the snow, taken from the crater towards Lake Myvatn
Grjotagja cave was very small when we came. Due to the snow, the passage to the cave on the right was difficult to walk through. Once inside, a different and wonderful sight appeared before our eyes. It was the filming scene of A Song of Ice and Fire. The lava caves and hot springs have such ethereal and otherworldly beauty that they attracted the attention of many Hollywood producers; HBO's "Game of Thrones" even filmed one of the most iconic love scenes of the season here.
This photo was taken from the right-hand entrance of the cave.
We were able to take as many photos as we could because there were few tourists when we visited. It's also worth noting that the sunlight was shining through, adding a mysterious touch to the blue spring water and the mist. (Photo taken from the left entrance)
Signs indicate that bathing and swimming are not allowed here