16-10-2024
A breathtaking geothermal valley in South Iceland with famous geysers and majestic mountains, Haukadalur Valley is well-worth a trip during your time in Iceland. Let’s learn more about the valley, including the historic geysers located there, how to get there and top tips for your visit.
Home to the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, plus over 40 hot and cold springs, colorful mud pots, warm streams and fumaroles, Haukadalur Valley is a spectacular geothermal valley in Iceland. Known for its dramatically colored surrounding mountains, famous geysers and incredible scenery, the historic Haukadalur Valley has been mentioned in Icelandic writings since the end of the 13th century.
Geothermal activity, such as that which takes place at Haukadalur Valley, is an important part of both Iceland’s identity and economy, as geothermal power is widely used as a source of renewable energy for heating and electricity across the country. Areas like Haukadalur Valley are also significant in terms of education and tourism, helping to raise awareness of the Earth’s natural processes and Iceland’s incredible geology.
Discover more about Haukadalur Valley’s two famous geysers, Great Geysir and Strokkur, below.
Great Geysir, sometimes simply known as Geysir, is now inactive, but at one time was extremely active, erupting every few hours during the 19th century. The word ‘geyser’ itself actually comes from Great Geysir, which is believed to be Europe’s oldest geyser, with some estimates dating its formation all the way back to 1150.
Images of Great Geysir became a symbol of Iceland throughout the 20th century, although it was no longer erupting frequently, so (largely unsuccessful) efforts were made to try to increase its activity. After erupting in the 2000s, Great Geysir has been largely inactive ever since, but it’s still worth a visit during your trip to Haukadalur Valley.
As Iceland’s most famous active geyser, Strokkur is the main natural attraction in the Haukadalur Valley area. Located approximately 100 meters from Geysir, the Strokkur geyser erupts every five to ten minutes, with its column of boiling water reaching as high as 30 meters in the air.
When an earthquake in 1789 triggered the geyser to become active, Strokkur began continually erupting until the 1900s, at which point another earthquake blocked the geyser’s activity. Then, locals unblocked Strokkur themselves following advice from the Geysir Committee, and Strokkur has been erupting continuously ever since.
Located in South Iceland, Haukadalur Valley sits just over 100 kilometers to the north-west of the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. The town and lake of Laugarvatn are situated just to the south of Haukadalur Valley.
Part of the famous Golden Circle road trip route in South Iceland, Haukadalur Valley is easy to reach from Reykjavik. Around 1 hour and 35 minutes away from the capital by car, you can choose to visit the valley as part of a day trip around the Golden Circle.
To reach Haukadalur Valley, you’ll need to take the main Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1) out of the city in a northbound direction until you reach a right turn onto Route 36, then continue straight onto Route 365, Route 37 and Route 35 until you reach the valley.
Haukadalur Valley is spectacular all year round, with the season or time of day being irrelevant to the geyser’s eruptions, as you can see these amazing displays at any time.
If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Haukadalur Valley is, we recommend visiting during spring or fall for a good balance between mild weather conditions and smaller crowds. The shoulder season months of April to June and September to November offer a chance to explore some of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions without the summer tourist crowds, giving you more chance to enjoy the landscapes in peace.
As off-peak tourist season, winter is the quietest time to visit Haukadalur Valley, but the cold weather and difficult driving conditions can be off-putting for some visitors. Make sure to check daylight hours before planning your visit, especially as these can be quite restrictive during winter in Iceland with only five to six hours a day. By planning ahead, you can make sure you’ve got enough time to enjoy all the sights you want to see.
Excited to visit Haukadalur Valley for yourself? Take a look through our top travel tips to ensure you can enjoy your visit to this unique geothermal valley to the max.
While making the trip to Haukadalur Valley, you might like to plan some stops along the way at other nearby natural wonders on the Golden Circle. The famous Gullfoss Waterfall, or ‘Golden Falls’ is one such incredible sight you can visit close to the geothermal valley, which is only five minutes away by car.
The other notable place to visit is the historic Thingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s incredible national parks, which sits around 40 minutes away by car to the east of the valley. As the site of Iceland’s first parliament and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates), Thingvellir is an important geological site and an impressive area of natural beauty.
Who’s feeling inspired to plan a trip to Iceland? If you want to get started with making your dream Iceland vacation a reality, take a look through our selection of reliable and affordable car rentals in Iceland, perfect to take you all around the island visiting natural wonders from east to west and north to south – exciting!