Things to do in Mulathing

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Western Region

Route 1

Route 1is Iceland's national main road, also known as the Ring Road because it circles the entire island. Completed in 1974, it has a total length of over 1,300 km and connects major towns such as the capital, Reykjavik, and the Capital of the North, Akureyri. It also connects most natural scenic spots, excluding the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes, making it a classic route for a self-drive tour around the island. Most sections of this road are two-way paved roads with good road conditions. Summer days are long, making it suitable for first-time visitors to plan an itinerary of about one week around the island. In winter, there is a chance to encounter the aurora along the way, but be aware of potential temporary road closures due to icy and snowy weather.

Studlagil Canyon

Studlagil Canyonlocated in the Jökuldalur valley in eastern Iceland, is a canyon view featuring hexagonal basalt columns. The basalt columns on both sides of the canyon are densely and neatly arranged, reaching heights of 20–30 m, and were formed by the slow cooling, contraction, and cracking of ancient thick lava flows. It is one of the most prominent landscapes of its kind in Iceland. The Jökulsá á Dal river flows through the columns, and the water is a striking turquoise, creating a beautiful contrast with the black basalt columns. This canyon was long submerged under murky glacial meltwater. After the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant was built upstream in 2009 and diverted the water, the water volume in the riverbed decreased significantly, the basalt columns on both sides gradually emerged from the water, and the water turned from a muddy brown to a clear turquoise. It wasn't until 2016 that a photo essay by an Icelandic photographer brought it to public attention, making it a popular emerging natural attraction in Iceland in recent years. When visiting, you can overlook the panoramic view of the canyon from the observation deck on the west bank, or follow the trail on the east bank down to the canyon floor to view the basalt columns and river bends up close. In summer, the water color is particularly vibrant, making it perfect for photography.

Seydisfjordur Church

Seydisfjordur Church sits on a hill in the town of Seydisfjordur in Iceland's East Fjords. Its vibrant blue exterior creates a unique color contrast against the surrounding white wooden buildings and green valley, making it the town's most recognizable landmark. Built in 1894, the church is an important Protestant place of worship, and its iconic blue image is widely known from its appearance in numerous photographs. The town itself is a hub for artists, and the area around the church preserves a collection of historic, colorful wooden buildings. Nestled between fjords and mountains, the town showcases the unique cultural landscape of Iceland's East Fjords region.

Gufu waterfall

Gufufoss (also known as Steam Waterfall) is located in eastern Iceland along the Fjarðará River and is the largest waterfall in the Seyðisfjörður fjord, with a drop of approx. 27m. The abundant water flow creates a large amount of mist as it falls, and a hazy rainbow halo can sometimes be seen in the sunlight, which is how it earned the name Steam. The surrounding valley is covered in green grass and embraced by fjords and mountains, offering tranquil scenery. It served as a filming location for the movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," and the magnificent water flow and canyon background are impressive on screen.

No. 7 of Hot Springs Attractions in Iceland

Vök baths

Vök baths is located on the shores of Lake Urriðavatn in Egilsstaðir, East Iceland. It is Iceland's only floating geothermal pool and opened in 2019. Two circular floating geothermal pools are built directly on the lake, allowing you to take in panoramic views of the East Fjords' mountains and the lake while soaking. The water in the pools comes from natural geothermal springs deep beneath the lake. It is the only geothermal water in Iceland certified as drinkable, making it safe to drink and exceptionally pure. The word "Vök" comes from Icelandic and refers to the ice holes that melt on the lake surface in winter due to geothermal heat, which was the original clue that led people to discover the existence of geothermal springs. The onshore area features additional hot pools, a Finnish sauna, a cold mist tunnel, and a cold plunge pool, as well as a tea bar serving local herbal teas and a restaurant specializing in local ingredients. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and natural, making it an excellent place to experience the geothermal wonders of East Iceland.

Borgarfjardarhofn - Hafnarholmi

Borgarfjardarhofn - Hafnarholmi is one of the most accessible puffin-watching spots in eastern Iceland, attracting approximately 10,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins to nest and breed every spring and summer, making it one of the densest puffin colonies in the world. Unlike many puffin habitats on remote islands, Hafnarholmi features dedicated wooden viewing platforms and sheltered bird-watching huts. Visitors can drive directly to the site, avoiding long treks, and observe the daily lives of puffins in the rock crevices up close. The peak viewing time is around dusk, when thousands of puffins fly back to their habitat from the sea, creating a spectacular and heartwarming scene. In addition to puffins, you can also observe various seabirds such as black-legged kittiwakes and northern fulmars, making it an unmissable natural experience in eastern Iceland.

Stuðlagil Canyon Main Access

Stuðlagil Canyon Main Access is located in the Jökuldalur Valley in eastern Iceland and has become a popular destination for photography and hiking in Iceland, thanks to its dense basalt columns and the emerald glacial river flowing through them. The basalt columns within the canyon were formed by columnar jointing as lava cooled slowly, making it the largest geological view of its kind in Iceland. This wonder was long submerged underwater until the water level dropped significantly following the construction of a hydroelectric power station in the early 21st century, gradually revealing it to the world. Today, the river is fed by clear alpine lakes, with colors shifting from light green to deep blue depending on the season, creating a striking contrast with the towering dark rock columns on either side. Visitors can take in the panoramic view from the platform on the west side of the canyon or hike along the east trail to the riverbed to experience the majestic scale of the rock columns up close. The entire route is approximately 6 km and passes Stuðlafoss waterfall, which is also surrounded by basalt columns.

Camp Egilsstadir and Egilsstadastofa Visitor Center

Nykurhylsfoss (Sveinsstekksfoss)

Eggin i Gledivik