Hverir (Námaskarð) Geothermal Area

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Hverir (the full name Námaskarð) is Iceland's most extraterrestrial landscape: a high pass on the eastern rim of the Krafla volcanic system covered in boiling mud pools, sulphurous steam vents and vivid orange and yellow mineral deposits. The ground here is literally hot — carefully maintained paths prevent visitors from accidentally stepping through the thin crust into the boiling mud beneath. The smell of hydrogen sulphide is intense. On overcast days, the steam clouds merge with the sky, making the boundary between earth and atmosphere unclear. NASA has used similar environments as Mars training grounds. Located directly on the Ring Road 3 kilometres east of Mývatn, it requires no hiking and is one of the most visually otherworldly places on the tourist circuit.