Things to do in  Reykjahlíð

Iceland’s natural hot springs, fed by volcanic activity and dotted all around the country, are world renowned. The most famous is the Blue Lagoon, but it’s almost always crammed with day-trippers from nearby Reykjavik. Myvatn Nature Baths, on the other hand, remain a pocket of tranquility, hidden away in the less-visited north.

With a name meaning “dark castles” in Icelandic, it seems fitting that Dimmuborgir—a 2,300-year-old lava field that resembles a collapsed citadel—gained fame as a setting on the hit TV show Game of Thrones. But more importantly, the volcanic formations are the stuff of local legend: In Icelandic folktales, the black caves are home to child-eating trolls. Dimmuborgir is currently one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations.

Formed by a massive volcanic eruption more than two millennia ago—and surrounded by surreal lava formations, mud pots, volcanic craters, and steaming fumaroles—Lake Mývatn remains geothermally active. The lake’s name comes from the swarming midges that fuel the local bird population.

With its gurgling mud pools, hissing steam vents, and plumes of volcanic rock, it’s easy to see why the Hverir geothermal area was chosen as a filming location for HBO’sGame of Thrones. It’s a mesmerizing sight, with the pockmarked terrain bubbling with silver-gray mud and steaming fumaroles, and the stench of sulfur omnipresent.

Marvel at the sheer natural force on display at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and one of Iceland’s most extraordinary attractions. Dropping some 132,000 gallons (500 cubic meters) of water per second 148 feet (45 meters) down the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, Dettifoss is a must-see for visitors to North Iceland.

In a country full of natural wonders, Ásbyrgi Canyon stands out. The massive horseshoe-shaped glacial canyon in the northeast of Iceland is almost one mile wide (1.6 kilometers), with cliffs soaring over 100 feet (30 meters) into the air and a floor forested with spruce and pine trees. The canyon is also steeped in Icelandic folklore.

Formed over 3,500 years ago, the ancient lava cave of Lofthellir is home to some of Iceland’s most impressive natural ice formations. Stretching for 1,213 feet (370 meters) beneath the Laxardalshraun lava field, the lava tube has its own microclimate, with temperatures of 32°F (0°C), and visiting is an adventure in itself.