Have you ever dreamt about walking around boiling mud pits, seeing the steam coming up from the ground, and hear the power coming from the center of the Earth? The tectonic plates run through Iceland and a visit to Lake Mývatn area and the highlands will give you a great experience. Don´t forget to breathe in the refreshing sulfur smell.
Námafjall
At the foothills of this spectacular volcanic mountain is an expanse of hot springs called Hverir that are known for their variety. You will also discover fumaroles, mud pools and mud pots that all seem to be boil with relentless energy. The pass Námaskarð is strategically located at a short distance from the Krafla volcano system as well as other interesting geological spots like Búrfellshraun lava field and the desert Mývatnsöræfi.
Námaskarð earns its notoriety chiefly because of its sulphurous mud springs called solfataras and steam springs called fumaroles. Though you will scarcely find any pure water spring in this wonderful geothermal site of Iceland, the beauty of the colourful minerals defies all comparison. The gigantic size of the mud craters is what makes you go 'wow' at the sight of them.
The other thing that is sure to strike you about Námaskarð is the sheer lack of vegetation. The constant emission of the fumes has made the ground utterly sterile and acidic, unfit to sustain any floras and faunas. You must bear in mind that the fumes can be harmful for humans as well.
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Hveravellir
The “hub” of the Kjolur Route, is a geothermal area of fumaroles, and multicoloured hot pools. There are two mountain huts with kitchen facilities and a nice hot pool just outside the hut.
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Kverkfjöll
The Kverkfjöll mountain range, Iceland's third highest mountain group, is a cluster of peaks formed by a large central volcano on the northern edge of the ice cap.One of Iceland's most active high-temperature geothermal areas is located in the western Kverkfjöll Mountains. Its existence is due to a fault scarp. An area of hot springs 3 km long and nearly 1km wide can be found at an altitude of 1600-1700 m.
More information about the National Park is at the webpage: www.vatnajokullnationalpark.is
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