Touring the Golden Circle in one of our Superjeeps you’ll stop at many of Iceland’s greatest hits, so to speak. There are waterfalls, a crater lake, cultural sites and the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley. It is in this valley that you will find Geysir geothermal area, home of the Great Geysir (the Great Gusher), the geyser for which all other geysers are named.
The Great Geysir In an area covered in steaming and bubbling pools of geothermals water, the Great Geysir once spouted scalding hot water more than two hundred feet into the air from a well 65 feet deep. Since the mid-20th century the Great Geysir has been dormant, only occasionally erupting, the 60 foot wide pool quietly steaming and gurgling, perhaps saving up its energy for a truly spectacular eruption.
Strokkur Keeps on Churning While the Great Geysir seems to have retired to dormancy in its old age, the geyser Strokkur (the Churn) is still alive and kicking, or erupting, as it were. Strokkur is located in the center of Geysir geothermal area and erupts every 4-10 minutes. Strokkur’s eruptions don’t reach the heights of the Great Geysir in its heyday but are still a sight to see. The surface of the water sways then becomes relatively still after an eruption. Staring at the pool, you may begin to believe that there’s nothing more to see but then the water bubbles and then convulses and retracts into the geyser’s well before a massive bubble forms and shoots hot water high into air. Word to the wise, if it’s a windy day, be mindful of where you stand because as the winds blow, so do the hot waters of Strokkur.
More Than Just Geysers The Great Geysir and Strokkur aren’t the only shows in the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley. There are roped off paths (for your safety— no one wants to be boiled alive while on holiday/vacation) to follow around Geysir geothermal area but there is also a hiking path up mount Bjarnafell. And across the street there are lovely dining and shopping facilities (including a free and clean WC) and comfortable accommodations. Historic Haukadalur church is also nearby and worth exploring in the Haukadalsskogur cultivated forest where a friendly giant by the name of Bergthor used to roam.
Hop into one our Superjeeps and see for yourself all the Geysir geothermal area has to offer.