Geysir

Geysir, the original geyser that gave name to all other spouting geysers in the world.

Geysir. 

Geysir in Haukadalur is the geyser who gave name to all the other geysers in the world and this is the only area with geysers in Iceland. There are a lot of hot springs, hot mud pools, geothermal pools where one can take off all clothes and take a bath, but only one area with geysers.

Located in the Golden Circle between Laugarvatn and Gullfoss makes Geysir one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Geysir erupted last time in the year 2000. In 2008 there was a little “burp” in connection with an earthquake, not a proper eruption , but since then it has been dormant. The height of the eruption reached up to 70 meters, making Geysir one of the biggest geysers in the world.

Nearby Geysir is Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts approximately every 6-8 minutes, approximately 30 meters. Every day a crowd of people is gathered on one side of Strokkur as if there is some wind, the water usually blows to the other side, waiting for the best photo opportunity.

In the area there are also a few others smaller like Little Geysir that look more like hot springs with boiling water. Under the whole area is a very hot bedrock which makes the area so active and one can see hot steam coming from the ground everywhere. There are beautiful colors, sulphuric stones and stains, boiling mud pools with fumaroles and ghostly atmosphere with all the steam coming out of the ground.

Close by is the forestry in Haukadalur, one of Iceland’s biggest forestry, with Haukadals church. In the graveyard by the church is buried Sigridur in Brattholt, who is believed to have saved Gullfoss. Church in Haukadalur is mentioned in written sources from the year 1121 and the area is historical and mentioned in the old sagas written on calf skin in the 12th. and 13th. Centuries. In 1938 the church was rebuilt and is one of the oldest one in Iceland made of wood.

Just before one reaches the church is on the left hand side one of many hot pools in Iceland, Kúalaug. There is room for four to six persons and the water is approximately 38-40C. (100-104F)

Between the church and the river is buried the troll Bergþór í Bláfelli. The story says that he asked one of his friends to bury him between the church and the river and his wish was honored as his gravestone is there with his name on it.

 

Location.

In the Golden Circle on road no. 35 between Laugarvatn (29 km / 18,1 mi) and Gullfoss (10 km / 6,2 mi).

 

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