T
he lovely flowery glades are great for a picnic area if you want a bit of shelter from the wind and a break from the volcanic landscapes.
Hofdi is a surprising oasis of greenery on the rocky and lava-like Myvatn, right next to the rock columns of Gud Fingur. Together they form the beautiful eastern shore of this lake.
Unusual Hofdi Park
Hofdi park
Hofdi’s original name was Buck Point. It comes from the name of the man who owned the area in the early 20th century. He and his wife planted thousands of trees and other plants on the promontory over the following years. After her husband’s death, his widow donated the property to the county, and Hofdi has been open to tourists ever since.
Combined with the tranquil waters of Myvatn Lake and the luscious greenery of the surrounding plants, the area provides great conditions for relaxation, tranquility and respite from the tourist hustle and bustle.
T
he lovely flowery glades are great for a picnic area if you want a bit of shelter from the wind and a break from the volcanic landscapes.
Gud Fingur rock columns
Gud Fingur
In a nutshell: lava from a nearby volcanic eruption flowed over the lake and groundwater, which cooled and ruptured it from below in some places, gradually built up such isolated, vertical formations.
The attraction of Gud Fingur and the surrounding pillars is that they are surrounded by water. Some stand directly in the waters of Kálfastrandarvogur Bay, others, like the main Gud Fingur itself, right on its shores. This creates a very different and perhaps more artistic landscape than similar formations inside the Dimmuborgir lava field.
Hints and Practical Information
- Both sites are located on Road 848, on the eastern shore of Lake Myvatn, south of the Dimmuborgir lava field.
- There is a path leading to Hofdi Park from the parking lot marked “Hofdi Nord.” The walk through the park is about 1 km of pleasant walking. We just have to be careful on the approach and descent from the hill if it is raining – or has rained recently. The paths are well marked and safe.
- To view the columns of Gud Fingur, it is best to drive to a separate parking lot on Kálfastrandarvogur Bay, marked on Google Maps as “Lake Myvatn panoramic point” and lying about 500 meters further south. Gud Fingur is located about 200 m from the parking lot.
- For more on the geologic history of the area, see Geologic History of the Myvatn Region.
