Natural hot springs
Geysir is a famous hot spring in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, in southwest Iceland. It is part of the popular Golden Circle travel route.
Although Geysir itself is rarely active these days, the Haukadalur Valley is home to an abundance of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur, Smidur, and Litli-Strokkur. Strokkur is perhaps the most famous hot spring in the country, shooting huge jets of boiling water 20 to 40 meters high. Don’t worry about missing this incredible natural spectacle, as Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes. Just make sure you have your camera ready when it does.
Geysir is much larger, but can go years between eruptions. It is currently in an inactive phase. When it erupts, water can shoot up to 70 meters into the air.
Bubbling mud pots and steam
Just a few minutes walk north of Geysir is a plethora of fumaroles, spewing steam and gas into the cool Icelandic air. In addition to viewing the mesmerizing columns of steam, you can also observe the yellow sulfur stains along the fumaroles themselves, a result of the earth’s minerals crystallizing around the bedrock.
In the southern part of the valley, Thykkuhverir, you will find several bubbling mud pots. These brown cauldrons are in fact fumaroles bubbling up through the loose soil, after a dry period these mud pools will probably transform into a hardened fumarole.
Distance from Reykjavik
The Geysir geothermal area is less than a two-hour drive from the capital, making it easily accessible for those on a Golden Circle day tour or renting a car. It is also one of the highlights of the well-known Golden Circle Tour, a fun day-drive from Reykjavik. Winter Tours has listed the most popular tours and excursions for you.
