Iceland's North: From Mývatn to Bólstaðarhlíð

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The day opened in the restless volcanic country north of Mývatn, where steam rose from Krafla’s ochre ridges and dark lava fields. From the gray bowl of Hverfjall, the route descended toward Mývatn’s green pseudocraters, quiet water, and sheep-grazed slopes. Goðafoss brought a sudden wall of white water and mist before the drive turned west beneath low clouds and shifting shafts of sunlight. Horses gathered in luminous pasture as rainbows touched the mountains, while empty roads crossed broad valleys and moss-covered plains. Near the eastern end of Vatnsskarð, the stone monument at Arnarstapi recalled poet Stephan G. Stephansson and the Icelanders who emigrated to North America. The final frames held the mountains, streams, grazing horses, and lingering brightness of a Skagafjörður summer evening.

Iceland North on Stan Grams Photography

Iceland's North: From Mývatn to Bólstaðarhlíð