During our unforgettable stay in Iceland’s Golden Circle, we were fascinated by the sights of the Haukadalur geothermal zone. You’ll see the erupting Strokkur Geyser and the famous dormant Geysir. The scenery and our winter experience were truly superb!
Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Why visit Haukadalur and Strokkur Geyser in winter?
Is this natural site worth a visit? Our opinion:
Yes, in our opinion, the Haukadalur geothermal zone is one of the highlights of the Golden Circle and well worth a visit. It is home to the famous Geysir, which is now dormant, and the Strokkur Geyser, which we contemplated as it erupted several times between 15m and 40m high! It was quite impressive. With bubbling mud pools, colorful zones and gushes of water every few minutes, if you’ve never seen a geothermal field, you’re bound to be surprised, because it’s well worth the detour.
This is one of the most beautiful natural sites to see in the Golden Circle in winter!
Our favorite moments
We’ll describe our winter experience in Haukadalur in detail later in this article, but we wanted to share our favorite moments with you:
- in summer and winter alike, we found it fascinating to stand and watch the water bubble and guess whether an eruption would occur or not
- the blue bubble that forms and swells until it explodes when the Strokkur geyser erupts
- fumaroles, small plumes of steam rising from the earth in a volcanic region
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How to get to Haukadalur and Strokkur Geyser in winter: access and map
Where is the geothermal zone?
- Northeast Golden Circle zone
- Along Route 35
- From Reykjavik = 1h45min drive
- From Thingvellir = 45min drive
- From Vik = 2h15min drive
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
How to get there? Access road
In winter, you have 2 options for getting to Haukadalur:
- Guided excursion from Reykjavik: this is our preferred option if you don’t want to drive in winter, but want to enjoy the scenery at your leisure. Day or multi-day excursions are available to the Golden Circle, including the Haukadalur geothermal zone and Strokkur Geyser. Guided tour drivers are used to winter roads and weather conditions.
- By car: Reykjavik is less than a 2-hour drive from Haukadalur on route 35, which is very popular with tourists and is regularly cleared of snow in winter. If you always drive carefully during the day, you can easily rent a car on site and get there on your own, giving you more freedom of movement.
Normally, the roads are cleared quickly enough for access. But during snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check the status of roads on Umferdin.
Parking
There’s a large, well-marked parking lot opposite the road as you arrive.
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Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
You can access the geothermal zone from November to March, throughout the winter period. The days are shorter, especially from December to February, so we recommend you take this into account when planning your visit. If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll avoid the crowds that tour the Golden Circle all day from Reykjavik.
This natural site is accessible all year round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except for special weather conditions), but we advise you to visit when it’s light out. The Strokkur geyser erupts every 3 to 8 minutes, so you can come all day and still have a chance to see it.
Access to parking lots and attractions is free.
Length of visit and main difficulties
On site, allow between 1h and 3h depending on your interest in the area and the length of your walk. We really recommend taking your time to make the most of this mesmerizing show!
Even if they are regularly cleared of snow to make it easier to get around during your visit, bear in mind that the ground on the paths can be slippery due to ice or snow. Temperatures can also be very low. Take along something to cover up or a change of clothes in case you get drenched by the wind. Camera protection can also be useful. For your own safety, stay on the marked trails and obey the warning signs. Note also that the water in geysers is extremely hot, reaching 80°C to 100°C.
Advice on how to visit
The Haukadalur geothermal zone is not open to the public. We began our visit with the eruptions of the Strokkur geyser (and spent a lot of time there, as we were fascinated!). Then it was on to the other attractions, including the Blesi spring, other geysers, mud pools and steam chimneys. Finally, we ended our tour with a visit to the dormant Geysir. Here’s a map of the natural site to help you find your way around:
Visiting with children
Your children will love watching Strokkur erupt. It’s also a great place to teach them to (re)connect with nature. If you’re visiting Haukadalur with your children in winter, dress them as warmly as you do, with several layers. Don’t forget to fit them with shoes that won’t slip on snow or ice, and there are crampons for children. Take a break at the visitor center, with its toilets and restaurant to warm up, and adapt your visit to the time you have available. Finally, opting for a child-friendly guided tour can be a safer option. It’s also important to stay on the marked trails. The water in the geysers is also extremely hot.
Catering, Toilets and Facilities
Opposite the geothermal zone, you’ll find several restaurants serving different types of cuisine. There are also toilets and a gift store. Finally, there’s a large, well-marked, free parking lot opposite the road.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
Haukadalur in winter, a unique experience
North of Lake Laugarvatn in the Golden Circle, we chose to visit the Haukadalur geothermal zone in winter. We’d already visited it in summer, so it was interesting to compare and contrast, particularly in terms of the landscapes we could observe. Did you know that the name “Haukadalur” means “Valley of the Falcons”?
Amidst the colorful hills sprinkled with snow in winter, you’ll see that the region also includes geothermal features such as..:
- geysers (such as Strokkur and Geysir)
- mud pools
- fumaroles, small plumes of steam rising from the ground
We enjoyed the natural diversity of this volcanic region.
The impressive Strokkur Geyser in action
Continue along the path and you’ll come to one of the main attractions of this natural site: the Strokkur Geyser! We were lucky enough to get there early to enjoy the show without too many crowds. You’ll be able to learn more about the principles of geothermal energy from educational panels. Or that Strokkur is Iceland’s most active geyser – interesting, isn’t it?
Our favorite part of the eruption is the blue bubble that forms and expands until it explodes. It’s impressive how huge it becomes before the eruption!
The usual height of this geyser is 15m to 20m, but it can spray up to 40m.
The geyser conduit is said to have been unblocked after an earthquake at the end of the 18th century, then blocked again at the beginning of the 20th century by another earthquake. Its eruptions were restored after human intervention.
See the blue bubble bursting at the start of the eruption in the photo below. We had fun trying to get different angles to the image at each eruption every 3min to 8min. Try it out several times, and your photographic series will be unique and highly successful!
Beware of the wind if, unlike us, you don’t want to take your 2nd shower of the day! At the time of eruption, with a gust of wind, you can be sprayed a little. Take time to observe the various stages of the eruption, from the bubbling of the water to the formation of the blue bubble and the final bouquet: the propulsion of the water into the sky. This natural mechanism repeats itself every 3min to 8min continuously, which really fascinated us.
Geysir dormant
The region is also famous for its dormant Geysir. Did you know that the English word “geyser” is itself derived from the name “Geysir”? The boardwalk is landscaped and provides access to the observation area.
Once in front, you’ll notice a few jets of steam escaping from the geyser, but as it’s dormant, there’s no eruption to be seen. We learned that Geysir’s eruptions can shoot boiling water up to 70m high. They were infrequent and stopped altogether for years. The geyser entered a dormant phase in 1916.
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The Blesi turquoise hot spring
Known for its turquoise color, the Blesi hot spring is also a must-see in the Haukadalur geothermal zone. It’s very pretty to look at in winter with snow around the waterhole. You won’t be disappointed by the beauty of the place and its many contrasts between reflections in the water, the color of the rock and sand, and the light blanket of snow in winter. A very poetic setting!
The sights of the geothermal zone
If you continue your visit, you’ll discover other sights representative of the power and mysteries of nature, such as..:
- other geysers: Sódi, Smiður, Fata Óþerrishola, Litli Geysir (meaning “little Geysir”) and Litli Strokkur (meaning “little Strokkur”)
- several steam chimneys
- mud ponds or pools
Due to temperature variations, you’ll find that colors are much less visible in winter. But the landscape is still sublime to contemplate!
Keep your eyes peeled for “Konungshver”, which means “royal spring”. From this basin, the water doesn’t gush out, but bubbles continuously! Intriguing, isn’t it?
You’ll witness the region’s volcanic activity first-hand as you discover these many natural wonders. To help you learn more and understand these phenomena, a number of explanatory panels have been installed along the nature trail.
Other nearby attractions
You can combine your visit to the Haukadalur geothermal area in winter with these nearby attractions:
- Gullfoss waterfall, an impressive 2-stage waterfall (50-minute drive)
- Thingvellir National Park, cradle of the Icelandic nation (45min drive)
- Secret Lagoon hot springs (30min drive)
- Kerid crater (40min drive)
Please note that organized tours usually include at least Thingvellir National Park, Haukadalur and Geysir, then Gullfoss Waterfall – Find out more about day tours
Frequently asked questions
What clothing and equipment should I wear for the tour?
If you’re traveling to Iceland in winter, remember to take waterproof clothing that will keep you warm, such as boots, a warm jacket, several layers of clothing, gloves, a hat… Be aware that the weather can change rapidly in Iceland, so plan to be able to add or remove layers of clothing easily. On organized tours, equipment such as snow crampons or complementary windproof or waterproof suits can be provided. Please check with the tour operators when booking your trip.
Be careful, with snow and ice on the ground, it can be slippery. We recommend you always carry cleats with you to add to your shoes. See our article on winter packing (coming soon)
Is the Haukadalur geothermal zone accessible in winter?
If you don’t want to drive, find a selection of 1-day excursions as part of a Golden Circle tour – see options
Normally, the roads are cleared quickly enough for access. But during snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check the status of roads on Umferdin.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
