The landscapes around Lake Myvatn, mostly due to the volcanic activity in the past, are truly amazing. The flightseeing trip was spectacular, with clear views of the mountains, volcanoes, the biggest glacier in Europe and thermal areas, from Vatnajokull in the south to Krafla in the north.
Lake Myvatn was one of the few places on our tour of Iceland where we stayed more than one night!
Our room at the Fosshotel Myvatn had fine views across the lake and over to the impressive Hverfjall Volcano.
It doesn't take long to drive all around the lake.
The most interesting features are the pseudocraters of Skutustadir on its south side. These are not volcanic but formed by explosions of gas as molten lava flowed over wetlands. Trapped water boiled and exploded through the lava to create the craters.
A spectacular experience, blessed with perfect weather. Not a breath of wind and clear blue skies. The Myflug pilots said it was unheard of to get such a run of good weather. It made for a very comfortable flight in the tiny aircraft, just us, the two pilots and another passenger who we think was an employee as she and the pilots seemed to know each other well.
We headed south over Lake Myvatn and the pseudocraters of Skutustadir.
Then south over barren lands towards Odadharaun, the largest continuous lava field in Iceland.
We headed to the stratovolcano Askja and its 50 sq km caldera filled with Iceland's deepest lake, Oskjuvatn. Situated in the central highlands the volcano is up to 1510m high.
The pilots circled the caldera in both directions so that we could both see the fabulous views. Even the pilots were taking photographs and videos!
On to Vatnajokull, the biggest glacier in Europe.
Then we turned to make our way back to Lake Myvatn.
The patterns in the landscape made by the glacier and rivers are beautiful.
An even better view of Herdubreid on the way back!
And incredible views of Hverfjall, right into the caldera.
Before returning to the airfield we passed over the Krafla geothermal area and the caldera of the volcano.
The lava field at Krafla is another big one, darkly impressive.
A really terrific flight, took huge numbers of photographs, very difficult to choose from!
