6 GEYSiR ANd STROKKUR

The name Geysir comes from the verb “aðgjósa” which means bubbling or spraying. The English word geyser is derived from this, as well.

Geysir has a diametre of 14 metres and is the widest geyser in Iceland. It is estimated that it became active 800 to 900 years ago. In the Oddaverjaannáll (a text dating from 1294), it is mentioned that new hot springs emerged after a series of earthquakes in the region. Geysir was not mentioned by name back then; the geyser got its name later. Geysir once shot water every 30 minutes which rose as high as 40 to 60 metres. Now it’s active a few times a day, and it shoots only 5 to 6 metres high. A smaller but very active geyser is Strokkur. Every 5 minutes it shoots boiling water up to 20 metres high.

You can climb a hill in the geothermal park from where you have an excellent view over the region and the coloured geysers.

There is a lot of power needed to shoot the water straight upwards, and it is quite a rare natural phenomenon. The primal layer must contain water; a source of heat is required (in this case, the mantle plume of a volcano), and there must also be a natural reservoir containing a naturally formed system of pipes. The heat source of a geyser is a nearby volcano.

 GPS: 64.313968, -20.299511

About 10 km from Geysir, you will find the Gullfoss waterfall. Keep following Route 35. Helpful hint: about 300 metres to the parking at the cafeteria, on the right of Route 35, you will find a narrow road to the parking lot near the waterfall. This is mainly used by buses, but it can also be useful when you do not wish to climb the (steep) stairs towards the waterfall.

7 GULLFOSS wATERvAL

Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall) is a double waterfall situated on the Hvítá or white river. The two sets of stairs are perpendicular to each other. The entire waterfall is about 32 metres high and provides stunning views. When visiting the falls you will immediately notice a lot of spraying mist. You can often see rainbows.

Once, there were plans to build a hydroelectric power plant in this enchanting place,

Buy the complete travel guide on shop.themediabay.be/en but the owners of the Gullfoss waterfall were not interested. They refused to sell the land. The speculators went to the government in Reykjavík to plead their case further. The government was at first in favour of their idea, but the daughter of one of the owners, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, continued to resist with all her heart and soul. She threatened to throw herself down the waterfall if the plans continued. Fortunately, it did not go that far; the plans were officially taken off the table. When you visit the Gullfoss waterfall, you can see a statue of Sigríður.

 http://gullfoss.is

 GPS: 64.325414, -20.131746

FAST BOAT RidE ON ThE RivER

Are you looking for some speed and adrenaline? With Riverjet, you will be able to take a jet boat ride on the Hvítá.

 www.icelandriverjet.com

FEELiNG hUNGRY?

At the Friðheimar farm you can taste natural and sustainably grown vegetables; although their main vegetables are tomatoes. Stop here for their most popular dish, tomato soup, which you can eat with an assortment of homemade bread. You can also taste a Bloody Mary made with fresh tomatoes, and they have a wide range of tomato desserts.

 http://fridheimar.is

 GPS: 64.178343, -20.44723

Would you like to swim in a natural geothermal pool? Then make a stop in Gamla Laugin, also known as the Secret Lagoon. Gamla Laugin is about 31 km from Gullfoss. Take Route 35 towards Selfoss, and then after about 5.5 km go to the left, on Route 30. Continue to follow Route 30 to the town of Flúðir, and this will take you to the Secret Lagoon.

8 GAmLA LAUGiN (SECRET LAGOON)

The temperature of the water in Gamla Laugin is a delightful 38 ° C all year. You will also find here the Vaðmálahver hot spring, which was formerly used as a sheep-washing place. There is also a mini-geyser, which sprays regularly. It’s great to see while you’re bobbing in the water.

 Open daily from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (in winter from noon – 8 p.m.)

 Paid entrance

 www.secretlagoon.is

 GPS: 64.137691, -20.309783

Approximately 56 km from the Gullfoss waterfalls (or 39 km from the Secret Lagoon), you find Kerið, one of the many volcanic craters that you will encounter during your trip.

From the Gullfloss waterfall, take Route 35 towards Selfoss. Follow this road for about 56 km (you will have to turn left at some point towards Selfoss). The crater is located on the left side of the road.