Gunnuhver is a highly active geothermal area of mud pools and steam vents on the southwest part of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The steamy area has an eerie atmosphere and an incredible sulfur vapor.
The name of the area comes from a legend about an angry female ghost, Gudrun. A priest trapped her spirit in the hot springs 400 years ago. Iceland’s largest mud pool resides at Gunnuhver; it is 20 meters (65 ft) wide of violently boiling earth. A unique characteristic of the Gunnuhver hot springs is that the groundwater here is 100% seawater, unlike other geothermal areas on the island. Colorful minerals in the ground provide vibrant hues. The ground temperatures here are over 300°C (570°F), so visitors must tread lightly and stick to the trails.
How to get to Gunnuhver thermal springs?
Gunnuhver is close to the so-called “toe” of Reykjanes, not far from where Reykjanes lighthouse stands and the roaring waves hit the dramatic sea cliffs. It is a part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark, where you find other attractions such as the geothermal area Krysuvik, The Bridge Between Continents, and the amazing Blue Lagoon. A guided tour around the peninsula will automatically take you there, and is highly recommended.
GPS: 63.819308 N, -22.685116 W
