Leaving Gullfoss waterfalls and heading back down the Route 35 we come back to the Geysir Hot Springs. This is a very popular attraction as it provides a little bit of a fun and a release every time the geyser spouts a fresh shower of hot water. Now, we have come to use the word geyser as a general word for a periodic jet of water, such as Yellowstones ‘Old Faithful’, but that word comes from the Icelandic name Geysir that was given the to this specific periodic water spout. Sadly, Geysir is currently, non-periodic. It doesn’t blow at the moment, June 2023, but may again in the future if a seismic event should unblock the pipe that has filled with silicates.
So Geysir lay there, a pool of hot water, whilst all around are the signs this once was a famous sight to behold. No problem though because it’s a short walk around to the next Geysir.
High up above is an observation point that gives an overall view of the sight and flat landscape beyond.
Can you bath in these hot springs?
Well the answer is contained in the image below. These can be at boiling point. So if you want to bathe, then you will need to visit one of the many bathing areas elsewhere, where it is safe to do so.
A short distance around the pathway and we come to Blesi Geyser. Now also almost dormant, it consists of 2 pools. One pool is a beautiful translucent turquoise, the other is a clear pool allowing you to see right into the head of the pipe.
Just beyond Blesi is the star attraction, a Geyser with a very predictable eruption, Strokkur. This currently is the geyser that people come to see, as it spouts on a regular basis, so you won’t have to wait too long to see the action. Just get ready with your camera and watch the surface of the pool. Be patient though, there was still 3 minutes to go from the image below.
Things are heating up now, less than 20 seconds to go. The surface of the pool starts change, it sinks, then bubbles into a cone and whoosh, up it goes.
The plume rises some 80 metres, making it one of the largest active geysers on the planet.
So the fun over it’s back to the coach for the next leg to Thingvellir National Park. Just be careful as this is a big carpark area and easy to get lost.
