1 Jun 2017 - Iceland Day 7: Grjótagjá Cave

Our next stop was Grjótagjá Cave.  It's a short 15 mins drive from Mývatn Nature Bath to get to the cave.

Within the cave lies a natural hot spring, a stunning cave pool that people can bathe in. The waters in the shimmering cavern are heated by volcanic activity deep in the earth, making it the perfect spot to take a dip in the freezing Icelandic winters.

Until the 1970s Grjótagjá was a popular bathing site. But during the volcanic eruptions at Krafla from 1975 to 1984 the temperature of the water rose to more than 50 °C (122 °F).  Although the temperature is now around 45°C, public is still prohibited from bathing there.

There is another smaller opening where visitors can get to the hot spring as well.

In addition to the thermal pool in this lava cave, the exterior landscape is equally stunning.

We were able to walk right next to the fissure in the ground.

This amazing fissure is about few hundred metres in length.  Here we witnessed the power of mother nature.

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