Sigurdur Jonsson · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Rémih · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hansueli Krapf · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0North Iceland Lakes
51 lakes in North Iceland — mapped with live road conditions, drive times, and directions.
51 lakes in North Iceland, led by Mývatn and Miklavatn. All mapped with drive times, directions, and live road conditions.
Top lakes in North Iceland
The region's stand-outs — each with photos, facts, and its own page. Distances on the cards are straight-line from Reykjavík.
37 km² surfaceMývatn
One of Iceland's most extraordinary areas - and it's all centered on this lake. The name means 'midge lake' because yes, there are tiny flies. They're annoying but mostly don't bite. The lake itself is shallow and filled with volcanic pseudocraters - bizarre formations that look like moon craters. The surrounding area has lava formations, hot springs, volcanic craters, and geothermal areas. You could spend days here. Key spots: Dimmuborgir lava maze, Hverfell crater, Grjótagjá cave, Námaskarð geothermal area, Mývatn Nature Baths (the north's answer to Blue Lagoon). Summer brings endless bird species - the lake is one of Europe's most important breeding grounds. Spring and autumn migrations are spectacular. Diamond Circle essential. Allow at least a full day, preferably two. Multiple accommodation options around the lake.
Miklavatn
Miklavatn is a lake in Fljót in Skagafjörður, Iceland. It is the second biggest lake in the region at 7.4 square kilometers. The Hraunamöl isthmus separates it from the sea, but the runoff from the lake flows through the Hraunaós estuary. The lake was originally a fjord but as the isthmus formed, it closed the fjord off, turning it into a lake. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Miklavatn
Miklavatn in Borgarsveit is a lake in Skagafjörður, Iceland, near the head of the west side of the fjord. The lake is oblong and lies parallel to the western Héraðsvötn, narrowing slightly in the north. From the northern end, there is runoff into the Héraðsvötn. It is called Víkin, and to the north is the southern end of the Sauðárkrókur Airport. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Víkingavatn
Víkingavatn is a shallow lake situated in the north of Iceland, between Húsavík and Ásbyrgi. Lake Vikingavatn is also called Little Lake Myvatn because of the abundance of nesting duck species and other birds. Vikingavatn has an area of 2,4 km2. It is only 4 m above sea level. Vikingavatn was an estate in the past and originally owned by a farmer by the name "Vikingur". North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
51 lakes in North Iceland
12 km² surfaceSvínavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Víti Askja
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
3.2 km² surfaceLjósavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
2.5 km² surfaceVestmannsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
0.25 km² surfaceÁstjörn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Víti Krafla
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Húnavatn (lagoon)
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Ólafsfjarðarvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Flóðið
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Sigríðarstaðavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Bæjarvötn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Viðarvötn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Aravatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Arnarvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Bergsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Bjarnarvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Botnsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Brunnvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Eyjavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Geldingavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Gripdeild
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Gæsavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Hafralón
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Hagavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Haugsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Helluvaðstjörn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Hraunsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Weather can change rapidly around highland lakes - be prepared.
Hraunvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Háfsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Héðinsfjarðarvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Hólmavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Hólmavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Höskuldsvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Kringluvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Kálfborgarárvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Langavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Langavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Langhólmavatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Laxárvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Laxárvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Leirvötn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Check if swimming is permitted - some lakes are protected or dangerous.
Svartárvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Ölvesvatn
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Kaldbakstjarnir
North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
11 km² surfaceÖskjuvatn
Crater lake in the Askja caldera, one of Iceland's deepest lakes. Formed in a massive 1875 eruption. The caldera landscape is stark - NASA trained Apollo astronauts here. The main attraction is swimming in Víti crater next door. Reaching Askja requires F-road driving and usually a full day from civilization. The journey is half the experience. Highland essential for those equipped to reach it.
37 km² surfaceMývatn
One of Iceland's most extraordinary areas - and it's all centered on this lake. The name means 'midge lake' because yes, there are tiny flies. They're annoying but mostly don't bite. The lake itself is shallow and filled with volcanic pseudocraters - bizarre formations that look like moon craters. The surrounding area has lava formations, hot springs, volcanic craters, and geothermal areas. You could spend days here. Key spots: Dimmuborgir lava maze, Hverfell crater, Grjótagjá cave, Námaskarð geothermal area, Mývatn Nature Baths (the north's answer to Blue Lagoon). Summer brings endless bird species - the lake is one of Europe's most important breeding grounds. Spring and autumn migrations are spectacular. Diamond Circle essential. Allow at least a full day, preferably two. Multiple accommodation options around the lake.
10 km² surfaceHöfðavatn
Höfðavatn is a lagoon-like lake in northern Iceland. It is located in the municipality of Skagafjörður. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Miklavatn
Miklavatn is a lake in Fljót in Skagafjörður, Iceland. It is the second biggest lake in the region at 7.4 square kilometers. The Hraunamöl isthmus separates it from the sea, but the runoff from the lake flows through the Hraunaós estuary. The lake was originally a fjord but as the isthmus formed, it closed the fjord off, turning it into a lake. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Miklavatn
Miklavatn in Borgarsveit is a lake in Skagafjörður, Iceland, near the head of the west side of the fjord. The lake is oblong and lies parallel to the western Héraðsvötn, narrowing slightly in the north. From the northern end, there is runoff into the Héraðsvötn. It is called Víkin, and to the north is the southern end of the Sauðárkrókur Airport. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Fishing requires permits in Iceland - check regulations before casting.
Hóp
The lake Hóp is situated in the north of Iceland near Blönduós at the Húnafjörður. North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
Víkingavatn
Víkingavatn is a shallow lake situated in the north of Iceland, between Húsavík and Ásbyrgi. Lake Vikingavatn is also called Little Lake Myvatn because of the abundance of nesting duck species and other birds. Vikingavatn has an area of 2,4 km2. It is only 4 m above sea level. Vikingavatn was an estate in the past and originally owned by a farmer by the name "Vikingur". North Iceland lake. The north offers dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds than the south. Many lakes are inaccessible in winter - plan seasonal visits accordingly.
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