Travel Iceland with Iceland Travel Travel West Iceland The West of Iceland is characterized by fjords, valleys, volcanoes and craters. In the West, the water flows from the earth in every form, from rivers of sparkling cool mineral water to Europe’s most voluminous hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Snæfellsnes peninsula juts out to the west, and the Westfjords stretch towards the far north-west. But because there is so much to see and do in each of these areas, as well as in central and inland West Iceland, we decided to give them their own chapters, so see the previous two chapters if you’re looking for the Westfjords or anything west of Heydalur at Snæfellsnes (Rte. 55). In olden times, West Iceland was a flourishing agricultural region with plentiful food resources. Its location made it a popular place for people from the north and south to meet, trade – and fight! Many Saga characters lived in or passed through West Iceland, as reflected by the region’s plentiful Saga-related museums, sites and tours.
Deildartunguhver hot spring Deildartunguhver is Europe’s most powerful hot spring, located just north of the junction between Rte. 50 and 518. Its flow rate is one of the highest in the world, at 180 litres / 48 gallons of 98°C (208°F) hot water per second. The water used for central heating in the nearby towns of Borgarnes TRAVEL WEST ICELAND
and Akranes is mostly taken from Deildartunguhver. The hot water pipeline to Akranes is 64km / 40 miles long, the longest in Iceland, and the water has cooled to around 80°C / 176°F by the time it reaches Akranes. At the car park at Deildartunguhver you can purchase fresh tomatoes, grown in the local greenhouses and packed especially for passing travelers. Experience nature from its core by bathing in the geothermal baths at Krauma. The hot water originates in Europe’s most powerful hot spring Deildartunguhver, at a temperature of 100°C (212°F). To achieve the perfect bathing temperature the hot water is mixed with cold water from Rauðsgil. Krauma offers five relaxing natural geothermal baths, a cold tub to get your blood circulation going, two calming saunas and a relaxation room where you can rest by the fireplace while listening to soothing music.
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