Haukadalur Iceland is a geothermal area 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. Discover the Haukadalur geothermal area in photos with tips to help you plan your visit.
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ABOUT the Haukadalur geothermal area and Geysir
Note: Practical info to plan your trip at the end of the article
The Haukadalur geothermal area is part of the Golden Circle Iceland with Thingvellir and the impressive waterfall of Gullfoss.
It includes geothermal features such as
- geysers (strokkur and the famous Geysir),
- mud pools
- fumeroles
Strokkur Geyser
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.
PLANNING TIPS - Haukadalur Iceland
How to get to Haukadalur Iceland
- Haukadalur is part of the Golden Circle.
- Reykjavik to Haukadalur - 100km - 1h20min drive
- Not far from road 35, it is well indicated. And you can follow the big buses during the day
- GPS coordinates and practical location sheets available in both eBooks: Experience Iceland and The Ring Road Guide
- If you don't want to drive, Guided day trips can take you there on a Golden circle tour - Check out program and price - And if you want more day trips aide, check out my excursion guide
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Visiting the Haukadalur geothermal field
- 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
- 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
- There is a hotel with cabins just next to it. The Hotel Geysir website has many information including history of the geothermal sites and information on the various geysers and their eruption patterns although I am not sure how up-to date it is.
- You can also check out the Webcam pointed at Haukadalur (note that it does not always work)
Geysir Accommodation
It is possible to stay right next to the Haukadalur area and the Strokkur Geyser. It allows you to go early to the geyser before all the tourists arrived. I stayed at the Geyser Cottages. Check out their latest prices and availability
Golden Circle Accommodation - Geyser Cottage
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!
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:
The Strokkur geyser eruption in video
When I was not capturing the geyser on pictures, I decided to make a little video of Strokkur for you to realise the force of the eruption:
More geothermal features at the Haukadalur Geothermal park
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
Haukadalur - Strokkur in Winter
Haukadalur is accessible in Winter. And it is easy to circulate around Strokkur as the heat melt the ice
Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?
Have you ever seen a geyser erupt?