That spring, I was in Iceland with sunny weather Part 4

Photos & Text / murphybj4
 
As the snowstorm gradually subsided, after reluctantly deleting the Daydream Adventure King town itinerary with a heavy heart, we restocked at Iceland’s most famous Piggy Supermarket to prepare food supplies for the road ahead. Getting back on the Ring Road, we drove all the way north, ready to witness the spectacular Dettifoss Waterfall.

Since it was late spring, the snow in northern Iceland had hardly melted yet. To see the grandeur of Dettifoss, we had to walk about half an hour from the parking lot. The snow was quite deep, making the walk quite strenuous, not to mention the biting cold wind—it was basically pure suffering. But it wasn’t until we reached the viewing platform that we understood why the waterfall before our eyes is called the Devil’s Waterfall. Nearly 100 meters wide and 45 meters high, the deafening sound of the water crashing against the rocks was absolutely awe-inspiring, leaving us marveling at the sheer power of nature.

Next to Dettifoss is the notoriously infamous Krafla Volcano, said to be the most dangerous volcano in all of Iceland, which has erupted 29 times since records began. But how could we miss it, given that we might only visit Iceland once in our lifetime? After passing the geothermal power plant, you’ll see the volcano’s parking lot. A short climb up the “Hero’s Slope” leads you to the crater rim, where you can even spot people skiing—skiing right next to a volcano crater. Icelanders sure are wild.

Northern Iceland is known for its geothermal activity, boasting abundant geothermal resources. As a result, not only has a geothermal power generation system been developed, but water-loving Icelanders also take full advantage of geothermal energy for hot springs. After this slope is the world-renowned Mývatn Nature Baths, the second most famous hot spring in Iceland after the Blue Lagoon.

The Mývatn Nature Baths also serve as a midpoint between eastern and northern Iceland, and Akureyri, the second-largest city in the region. Many travelers choose to stay nearby overnight for a bit of rest, as driving non-stop can be quite exhausting. Moreover, the scenery around Mývatn is dreamlike, and in winter you can even ice skate on the lake, offering yet another unique Icelandic experience.