One of the main things to do in the Lake Myvatn area is to visit the Dimmuborgir Lava Fields and Caves. This area, full of rocky formations covered in moss and full of caves, is the perfect location for a short hike! Do you want to know more about it? In this guide, I will share with you all the necessary information to spend a wonderful time hiking in Dimmuborgir lava fields.
Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir (in English Dark Fortress) are unique lava formations formed about 2300 years ago during an eruption of the Þrengslaborgir and Lúdentsborgir craters. The site is full of volcanic caves and unusually shaped rock formations that make it resemble an old village.
Dimmuborgir according to Icelandic folkore
In Icelandic culture, lava caves were the places where trolls would live. Particularly, in Dimmuborgir, it was the home to the Yule Lads or “Icelandic Santa Clauses”. However, these were not like the American Santa Claus, the Yule Lads would go out on the thirteen days before Christmas and terrorize Icelanders.
In modern years, the Yule Lads have been “Americanised” and are known more as mischievous tricksters. Before Christmas, they go out and steal skyr but also bring children gifts.
Getting to Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir Lava Fields are located next to Lake Myvatn in the North of Iceland.
The best way to reach it is by renting a car and driving there yourself. Otherwise, it is also possible to visit Dimmuborgir on a guided tour.
On the map on the right, you can find the exact location of the parking lot of Dimmuborgir and some accommodations if you want to spend the night in the area. Driving times will vary depending on where you are coming from.
- From Akureyri, it is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes drive to reach Dimmuborgir.
- From Reykjahlid, the main village near Myvatn, it is only 10 minutes to get to Dimmuborgir.
Accommodation near Dimmuborgir
There are many things to see and visit around Lake Myvatn. To be able to enjoy this beautiful region in the North of Iceland, I recommend spending a minimum of one night here. Here are some hotel and guesthouse recommendations.
Hiking in Dimmuborgir Lava Fields
Hike Summary
- Trail Start/End: Dimmuborgir Parking (see map above)
- Distance: 4,3 km.
- Elevation gain: 87 m
- Route Type: Circular
- Time: 2h
Dimmuborgir Walking Routes
There are different walking paths in Dimmuborgir:
- Litli Hringur or black trail (600m)
- Stori Hringur or yellow trail (900m): This path takes you to the Hallarflöt and the Yule Lads cave.
- Kirkjuhringur or red trail (2200m): This path takes you to the Kirkja (church), one of the main sites in Dimmuborgir.
- Mellandahringur or green trail (1000m): This path is right behind the Kirkja and takes you to some sandy lava fields.
- Krokastigur or blue trail (850m): This trail is marked as difficult.
Yellow Trail and the Yule Lads Cave
We arrived at Dimmuborgir at the same time as a big guided tour. Since they were heading directly to Hallarflöt and the Kirkja, we decided to do the hike clockwise to avoid the big crowds.
The first thing we encountered was the Yule Lads cave. This cave was not so special but it was staged to resemble what it would be like to live there.
From there you could also have an overview of the impressive Dimmuborgir fields with the Hverfjall crater in the background.
Walking the red route until the Kirkja
After the cave, we kept following the red path through Dimmuborgir. This part of the trail (in my opinion) is a bit monotonous until you reach the Kirkja cave. It is just walking along endless lava covered in moss.
However, once you reach the Kirkja or Dimmuborgir Church cave, the area is impressive. The Kirkja was named like this because of its shape. It is open on two ends and has a dome-like shape.
Sandy Lava Fields along the Green Circle
Right before reaching the Kirkja Cave, the green trail will begin. This trail goes a little further south of Dimmuborgir where the lava fields are covered in sand and moss.
From here, you can get a really nice view of the Hverfjall Crater next to Dimmuborgir. However, it is the only remarkable part of this Green Circle so if you have limited time, you can skip this part of the hike and just follow the red trail.
Rock caves and arches along the red trail
Once we were done with the green trail, we returned to the red trail to do what was my favorite part of Dimmuborgir. This area was full of rocky formations and caves of different shapes. We kept stopping along the way to admire them and see if it was possible to enter the caves.
Hallarflöt
The last part of the trail was on the yellow loop where we saw the Hallarflöt rocky formations. This is one of the other main sites in Dimmuborgir.
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- HIKING IN THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK
- RENTING A CAR & DRIVING IN ICELAND – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
- ONE DAY IN THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
- THE SKOGA TRAIL – THE HIKE BEHIND SKOGAFOSS
- KVERNUFOSS – THE LESS VISITED WATERFALL NEXT TO SKOGAFOSS
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- 21 WATERFALLS THAT YOU CAN’T MISS IN ICELAND
- KAYAKING IN JOKULSARLON
- KRAFLA VITI CRATER AND LAVA FIELDS
- HIKING IN DIMMUBORGIR
- HVERFJALL CRATER HIKE
- GLACIER HIKING AT VATNAJOKULL
- HVERIR GEOTHERMAL AREA
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