Despite the lack of sleep after our late date night with the lovely Aurora, we still managed to wake up early before dawn. While many travelers avoid visiting North Iceland in the winter due to rough road conditions, we were excited to venture on through. We are the adventure couple known to take the road less traveled. Continue reading to find out more about our winter wonderland journey filled with frozen waterfalls of Goðafoss, secluded hot springs in Mývatn, & an epic dog sledding experience!

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Goðafoss

Goðafoss has been, by far, my favorite waterfall of any adventure! Small in size, yet grandiose in beauty, Goðafoss is picturesque with its various shades of blue & elegant flow of glacial waters. Its story dates back to 1000 AD, when Christianity was first declared the official religion of Iceland. Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, a law speaker of Alþingi & a pagan priest, made the ultimate decision by tossing wooden statues of the old Nordic idols into the falls. From this symbolic act of the conversion its name came to be, appropriately translating to “Waterfall of the Gods.”

Although Goðafoss only stands 39 feet high, it spans 98 feet across in a horseshoe shape & the views from both sides are equally breathtaking. Its water originates from the Skjálfandafljót River in the highlands & the snowy landscapes that surround the falls are quite spectacular. I have seen photos of Goðafoss taken in the summer & while still gorgeous in its own right, it doesn’t strike me as magical without all the icy drama.

Located right off of Route 1, you will find a large parking lot with an easy path that leads straight to the viewpoint of the falls. The ground can get really slippery so watch your step as you marvel at its jaw-dropping beauty!

Mývatn Nature Baths

By now you probably would’ve guessed my husband & I don’t like to follow the mainstream when traveling. While the Blue Lagoon takes the spotlight as the most popular hot springs in Iceland, we chose to forgo this touristy stop & went in search of a more secluded one. 

As we continued through North Iceland, we came across the Mývatn Nature Baths (aka Jarðböðin) & decided to check it out. Although the man-made geothermal pools here are much smaller, it is far less crowded & features the same milky blue water as the Blue Lagoon but at half the cost.

The operating hours & entrance fees vary depending on the time of year. Because we visited in the winter, the baths were only open from noon until 10:00pm. Tickets were also slightly cheaper with one adult admission costing 4500 ISK ($36.00) to cover the cost of a locker. I highly recommend packing your own towels, swimsuits, & bathrobes as they have to be rented separately at a price.

Tips for Your First Dip

The pools are fed from the National Power Company’s deep bore hole in Bjarnarflag. The water temperature is a comfortable 97°F – 104°F & contains minerals with great healing powers, especially for the skin. Some people even claim the waters provide short-term relief from respiratory & muscular problems. Its unique chemical composition keeps the water clean, preventing bacteria & vegetation from growing in the pools.

Keep in mind, the locals have strict rules about showering thoroughly before & after dipping into the baths, IN THE NUDE. The baths are not treated with any chemicals & they do not want dirty bodies to contaminate the natural waters. Interestingly, casual nudity is part of Scandinavian culture, so there really is no need to be shy. But don’t worry if you are self-conscious as the locker rooms are still separated by sex.

As you exit the shower facility, you can first dip into the adjacent steam bath to prepare your body for the temperature shock (remember, you are still outdoors in 0°F weather). After you have acclimatized, you can then proceed through the cold air & into the main lagoon. Two large pools are interconnected by walkways covered with pebbles that massage your feet. There are also underwater benches all around so you don’t have to stay afloat.

Our time spent at the Mývatn Nature Baths was the most relaxing way to close out the day. The milky waters soothed our achy, winter worn bodies as we watched the sunset through the mist of the lagoon. It was truly an unforgettable luxurious experience!

Laxá Hótel

After our therapeutic soak, we checked into the Laxá Hótel. The hotel concierge welcomed us warmly & thoughtfully provided information on all their amenities. The staff were very resourceful in answering all our questions regarding activities in North Iceland. They even offered to watch the Northern Lights forecast & give us a courtesy wake-up call when visibility was expected to be high! But because we already fulfilled that bucket list item & needed to prepare for another early morning, we went straight to bed. Feeling rejuvenated with our baby soft skin, we fell into a deep sleep as soon as we slipped under the covers! Book your stay through their website here.

Angella’s Travel Tips

• Goðafoss & Lake Mývatn are popular attractions in North Iceland, located along the tourist route lesser known as the Diamond Circle. This northern version of the Golden Circle also includes Húsavík, Ásbyrgi Canyon, & Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Unfortunately, due to road closures, we were unable to visit the latter three. But they are points of interest definitely worth checking out in the warmer months!
• When visiting Goðafoss in the winter, be sure to bring crampons, stable hiking shoes, & waterproof gear. The path is relatively flat & there isn’t much of an incline. But you may want extra stability on the ice if you plan to capture some epic shots from various viewpoints.
• Before dipping into the Mývatn Nature Baths, remove all jewelry as metals can tarnish in the high levels of sulfur. I also highly recommend tying up long hair because the water can easily tangle loose strands or even discolor it! My color-treated hair has already withstood a lot of damage over the years so it survived Iceland’s waters just fine!