Gunnuhver Geothermal Area

Gunnuhver Geothermal Area is a highly active geothermal site located on the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The area is known for its large boiling mud pools, steam vents, and sulphur-rich geothermal activity, making it one of the most dramatic geothermal landscapes in Iceland. Unlike many geothermal bathing locations, Gunnuhver is far too hot for bathing, with temperatures exceeding boiling point in some areas.

Story

Gunnuhver is one of the most active geothermal areas on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where steam vents and boiling mud pools create a constantly changing landscape. Located near Reykjanesviti lighthouse, the area sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates meet and geothermal forces are visible at the surface. The site is named after a local ghost story about a woman named Guðrún, whose restless spirit was believed to haunt the area. According to legend, she was eventually trapped in the hot springs by a priest, giving the area its name, Gunnuhver. Today visitors can safely explore the geothermal field via wooden walkways and viewing platforms while experiencing one of Iceland’s most intense displays of geothermal energy.