Geothermal Areas - Beautiful, Steamy Smelly Spots

Do you also like the smell in the geothermal areas of Iceland ?

As you know Iceland is known for its geothermal activity. I guess most of us who live here are used to all this but I have the feeling that travelers do not agree with us at least not about liking the smell.  If you wanna experience such geothermal spots we have some very close to Reykjavík city for example in the Krísuvík area and the Grindavík area on the Reykjanes peninsula.

Seltún

Seltún in the Krísuvík area, very close to Kleifarvatn lake is a geothermal field with solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs. You will smell the area long before arrival and once you are there its like landing on a different planet. The soil there is bright yellow, red and green, steamy and burning hot. 

A wooden walking path loops through the area making it easy to walk around and explore the extreme hot earth. Its very impressive to explore this field and walk through the steamy region giving a strange smell from the sulfate.   Some people have described Seltún like this: “It's like corner of hell, with a horrible smell, steam and vigorously hissing jets of water bursting from the ground”. I can totally understand why but as a local I actually like the smell kinda.   Have you been there and how did you like it !?

Gunnuhver

Gunnuhver in the Grindavík area, close to the Blue Lagoon is another steamy hot geothermal field with mud pools and boiling water. Temperatures beneath Gunnuhver has been measured over 300° C. Only fumaroles and mudpots are present at Gunnuhver an it is an exception to other geothermal areas because the groundwater here is 100% seawater.  Like in Seltún the access is very good with wooden ramps to walk through the area. The mud pools are named after a female ghost named Guðrún or Gunna that was laid there and the area is said to be haunted by the ghost of her.  We all love ghost stories and haunted arias right?!

More photos of steamy Gunnuhver below:

Pls feel free to share your experience from this place.  Would be great to hear if you liked it or not.  If you need further information or want me to take you there then send me a message. Happy exploring !

See also:

Reykjanes Peninsula Tours

Plan Your Drive: Reykjanes

Reykjanes Peninsula Travel Tips