Satellite map of Lake Mývatn Loop

Northeastern Region · Iceland

Lake Mývatn Loop

848Reykjahlíð to Skútustaðir

Distance9.1 mi14.6 km
Drive time15 minon the road
DifficultyEasytightness 1 of 10
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Route 848, the paved road running along the southern and eastern shore of volcanic Lake Myvatn, passing pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava fields and steaming geothermal ground, with the Ring Road closing the loop on the far side.

Route 848 follows the southern and eastern shore of Lake Myvatn in north Iceland, one of the most concentrated stretches of volcanic scenery in the country. The full circuit of the lake combines this road with the Ring Road, running from Reykjahlid round past the pseudo-craters at Skutustadir, the twisted lava pillars of Dimmuborgir and the Hverfjall tephra crater, with the Krafla geothermal area and Namaskard mud pots just off the Ring Road nearby. It is easy, gentle driving with frequent stops rather than a spirited road, and midges can be intense around the lake in summer. Winter brings ice and short daylight. Mind sudden stops by sightseeing traffic, cyclists and walkers near the craters, and ice or wind in the colder months.

Scenery

LakesMountain

Best seasons

SpringSummerAutumn

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Where it runs9.1 mi · point to point

ReykjahlíðStart · Northeastern Region
SkútustaðirEnd · Northeastern Region

Character

Corners25bends
Tightness1of 10
Max gradient6%≈ 1-in-17
Climb179 mapproximate · DEM-limited
Summit354.6 mapproximate · DEM-limited

Corners

busiest around mile 5
2.34.56.8 mi

Elevation

approximateunder 4%4–8%over 8%267.3 – 354.6 m
275300325350 m 0.04.59.1 mi

Points of interest3 stops

  • Hallgrímur og ÓlafíaLandmark
    1.4 mi in
  • RófugerðishóllLandmark
    9.1 mi in
  • KlasarLandmark
    4.5 mi in

Hazards

  • Sudden stops by sightseeing traffic
  • Cyclists and walkers near the craters
  • Ice and strong wind in colder months

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Lake Mývatn Loop: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Lake Mývatn Loop?
Lake Mývatn Loop runs 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and takes about 15 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Lake Mývatn Loop to drive?
We rate it easy: 25 corners, a maximum gradient of 6%, and a tightness of 1 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Lake Mývatn Loop?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.

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