Peter And Evie - Travel blog: August 3, 2023 - Diamond Circle in North Iceland: Namafjall Hverir hot springs, Lake Myvatn geothermal baths, Grjotagia caves, Dimmuborgir Lava formations, Godafoss Waterfalls

August 3, 2023

This was a day-long bus tour of part of the Diamond Circle in Northern Iceland. Very early breakfast, on the bus by 8:00am. Our first stop was at Namafjall hot springs in Hverir. These are geothermal bubbling hot spring ponds. The colors are amazing blues and copper colors, with steam bubbling out of each little pond, with signs saying you really don't want to walk too close to them or get their mud on your shoes. It was an amazing site.

The next place was Lake Myvatn and the Jardbodin nature baths. I don't have photos of them, as I couldn't bring my camera into the baths. The water was very blue and a bit slimey, but hot and very lovely. The views of the lake and the surrounding mountains were absolutely beautiful.

We stopped at Grjogia for a quick view of some caves in the mountain. Looking down into the cave, you could see the hot lagoon at the bottom. These caves used to be used as a bathing site, but the danger of falling rocks prohibits that now.

The next stop was at the Dimmuborgir Lava formation hiking trails. We walked around the many lava pillars and formations. In each one you could see a face or an object. HOWEVER, there were so many midgets (black flies) that I needed to put on my bees net over my hat just to tolerate the walk. Thank goodness I had it with me.

Our last stop was at another incredible waterfalls -- Godafoss. This waterfalls has the most water in this part of Iceland. They are horseshoe-shaped, flowing into a long, fast flowing river. Again, the long walk over to the falls was completely lined with people. But the falls were breathtaking.

Back on the ship, we had a lecture on the history of Iceland, and an Artic Circle ceremony as we crossed the Artic Circle at 9:15pm. Sunset was at 10:35pm.

Day 8 photos: