The Haukadalur geothermal area is one of the highlights on the Golden Circle.
It is home to the famous Geysir which is dormant and the Strokkur geyser which you will be able to admire erupt many times.
Below is my guide to plan your visit of the Haukadalur geothermal fied: map, access, tips, photos….
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Iceland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Whale Watching
Fun activity: Swimming in Silfra Fissure
My favorite places to stay:
- Reykjavik: see best rated hotels – e.g. Vintage Boutique Hotel
- Lake Myvatn: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Laxa
- Vik area: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Vik i Myrdal
Why visit the Haukadalur geothermal area and Strokkur?
Is it worth it?
Absolutely. Haukadalur and Strokkur are one of the wonders of Iceland.
They are easily accessed from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle.
It is the world of fire: eruption every few minutes, bubbling mud pools, colorful areas…
If you have never seen a geothermal field, you will be enchanted. And if you have, you won’t be either because, as you know, it is always fascinating.
And it is as interesting in Summer as in Winter.
It is fascinating to stand and watch the water bubbling, preparing and trying to guess whether an eruption will take place or not.
If you want to see it in action, here is a short video of the geyser explosion:
The area also includes geothermal features such as:
- geysers (strokkur and the famous Geysir),
- mud pools
- fumeroles
The home of Geysir
The area is famous for being home to Geysir.
The English word ‘geyser’ is even derived from the name Geysir!
Eruptions of Geysir can spray boiling water up to 70 metres high, its eruptions are infrequent and have stopped altogether for years at a time. It went into a dormant phase in 1916.
However the fountain geyser Strokkur erupts every few minutes and the water reaches 15 to 20 m high, sometimes up to 40 m.
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning tips & Map – Haukadalur Iceland
Where is Haukadalur located?
- The Haukadalur geothermal area is part of the Golden Circle Iceland with Thingvellir and the impressive waterfall of Gullfoss.
- Reykjavik to Haukadalur = 1h20min drive
- Borgarnes to Haukadalur = 2h drive
- Thingvellir to Haukadalur = 50min
- Not far from road 35, it is well indicated.
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning tips) in my travel guide eBook to help you easily plan your Iceland road trip (for 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days…)
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
How to get to Haukadalur
It is one of the main touristic road in the country. So it is very easy to access.
There is a very large carpark across the road. And it is very well indicated. You can’t miss it!
It remains accessible in Winter, this is one of the main roads to be cleared when it snows.
If you don’t want to drive, Guided day trips can take you there on a Golden circle tour – See options and availabilities
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Visit tips
- Come early to avoid the big bus and other tourists that come as part of the golden circle tour
- Wear good shoes, it gets slippery (in Summer and in Winter)
- Stay on the paths, the temperature gets really hot
- Watch out for the wind if you don’t want to take a second shower
- The geyser Strokkur erupts every 3 to 8 minutes. And sometimes I saw it erupt twice in a row.
- Do not forget the tripod in the bus like I did! The camera becomes very heavy as you wait for the eruption.
- You can also check out the Webcam pointed at Haukadalur (note that it does not always work)
- Allow at least 30 minutes, more if you want to sit back and admire (I recommend 2 hours, it’s really mesmerizing!)
Parking and Geysir Center
There are restaurants just across the road from the geothermal area. They offer different types of food.
You can also find souvenirs.
There are toilets.
Geysir Accommodation
It is possible to stay right next to the Haukadalur area and the Strokkur Geyser.
See options
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
The Strokkur geyser eruption in photos
As I stayed in the nearby hotel, I was able to go to the geothermal area early and avoid the crowds. This makes it really easier to take pictures. I can’t imagine the situation when the Haukadalur Strokkur geyser is surrounded by tourists.
Here is a break-down of the eruption:
I spent all of my time watching the water trying to guess when Strokkur was going to erupt and failing miserably. I had a lot of false starts on my camera. Also, be aware of the wind if, unlike me, you do not wish to take your second shower of the day!
It is the most active geyser in Iceland.
It’s usual height is 15 to 20 meters high (49 to 66ft) but it can spray as high as 40m (130ft).
It was first mentioned in 1789, most probably after an earthquake created the vent.
Apparently, it stopped erupting at the beginning of the 20th century because another earthquake blocked its conduit.
And it is men that decided to unblock it and restore its eruptions.
Iceland’s geyser’s bubble
My favorite thing was trying to catch on my camera the bubble before it exploded. You really need to be ready and have good reflexes. I was successful a few times:
Strokkur in Winter
And here are a few shots taken in Winter with some snow on the surrounding landscapes.
More features at the Haukadalur geothermal field & Valley
There are other attractions at Haukadalur:
- the Blesi a turquoise color hot spring,
- other geysers – Sódi, Smiður, Fata Óþerrishola, Litli Geysir (the small Geysir) and Litli Strokkur (the small Strokkur)
- steam vents
- mud pools
Because of the variation in temperatures, the colors are much less visible in Winter. But it is still cool.
The name Haukadalur means Valley of the Hawks.
Plan your trip to Iceland this Summer:
What you will see of Geysir
As I wrote earlier the Geysir is dormant.
So you can only see the rock that indicates where the eruption area is… But you may be lucky and it could wake up, who knows…
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But I also like other drinks and sweets!
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Haukadalur and Strokkur in Winter
As I said Haukadalur is accessible in Winter.
And it is easy to circulate around Strokkur as the heat melts the ice.
However, there can still be slippery areas, so be careful. And stay on the paths.
Here are a couple more photos:
Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?
- 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures – read article
- The best stops on the Ring Road – read article
- The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
- 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article
- Top 5 places to see around Myvatn – read article
- 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland – read article
- The 10 best lava caves in Iceland – read article
- The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – read article
- The Snaefellsnes peninsula – read article
- All my favorite things to do in North Iceland – read article
Planning a trip to Iceland?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
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- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
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