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In Iceland, you can find every type of geothermal phenomenon under the sun. There are hot springs, lava fields, volcanoes, and also places like Hverir. This is the geological feature that usually doesn’t get as much attention as its geo-siblings.
So, what is so unique about Hverir? In this article, we will tell you precisely what. We will put our noses exactly where they belong as we go through all you need to know about this geothermal area in Iceland.
Hverir in Short
Have you ever wanted to visit another planet? If yes, Hverir in Iceland might be a good option that doesn’t require any astronaut training or longer transport. The landscape here is filled with different colored craters, bubbling mud pools, and steamy rock vents. It’s the proverbial promised land for any sci-fi enthusiast. Sometimes, Hverir is completely engulfed in a thick fog that you almost have to cut with a machete to move through.
With that said, the Hverir Geothermal Area is as Earth-bound as it gets. The geothermal powers at play here are associated with volcanic activity, which is evident when you realize the ground temperature can reach over 200 degrees Celsius in some places. Another imposing attribute of Hverir is the constantly lingering smell of eggs. The vents in the ground give off sulfuric compounds that make the entire area smell like eggs on a bad day.
Luckily, the sulfur that makes everything smell isn’t harmful unless you decide to get up close and personal with the vents. The gas dissipates in the air pretty quickly after it leaves the cracks in the ground, so don’t worry. What we smell at Hverir is harmless. It’s just unpleasant for the nose.
What to See at Hverir
With this magnitude of volcanic activity, surely there have to be plenty of cool things to see there, right? Absolutely! The two main things to see in Hverir are the mud pots and the fumaroles:
Fumaroles
If you’re not a nut for geology or a big fan of things that smell sketchy, you probably don’t know what this is. In short, fumaroles can be seen as the vents from the magma that emit nothing but gas. This gas is often mostly steam mixed with sulfuric compounds, which is what gives the characteristic smell. These acidic fumes will often break down the rock surrounding the fumarole and deposit colorful crystals around the opening.
At Hverir, you’ll see fumaroles in different shapes and sizes. Many look like tall piles of rocks in different colors, and others look like cracks in the ground.
Mud Pots
With all the mineral-rich and healthy hot springs and spas in Iceland, it’s easy to imagine a healthy mud bath whenever one starts talking about mud pits and geothermal energy. Nothing could be further from the truth in the case of Hverir. The mud pots here are literally boiling hot and even erupt from time to time (like a muddy geyser).
Even though the mud pots are pretty to look at, you shouldn’t risk swimming in them or smearing any of the mud on your skin. The mud is acidic and can cause skin damage.
Mud pots are formed when water boils underground and gets mixed with dirt, rock, and various chemical compounds. When the mud finally reaches the surface, it’s incredibly hot and full of all sorts of acidic chemicals.
Where is Hverir?
You’ll find Hverir in the Námafjall Geothermal Area in northern Iceland. It’s located a couple of kilometers northeast of Lake Mývatn and right next to the Ring Road. The area is named after Namafjall, the nearby mountains.
The History of Hverir
Places like the Namajall Hverir Geothermal Area are often precursors or aftermaths of volcanic eruptions. We know that the entire Mývatn area used to be very volcanically active, and the only thing we know for sure about Hverir is that it is at least 11,000 years old. An interesting fact about Hverir is that half of the sulfur needed to produce gunpowder in Medieval Europe was mined here.
In 1969, a geothermal power plant was constructed on the western side of the Namafjall Mountain to produce 3 MW of energy. In recent years, plans have been made to increase production by 30 times to a total of 90 MW, which would cover a significant portion of the region’s energy demands. According to local environmental groups, however, it seems like these plans might damage the regional ecosystem, so chances are that the power stays the way it is.
How to Get to Hverir
You can either visit Hverir on your own via a self-drive or join a tour.
Drive Yourself
As mentioned earlier, Hverir is almost right on the Ring Road, which means you can easily drive there from pretty much anywhere in Iceland. From Reykjavik, for example, all you have to do is get on the Ring Road going north and continue on that road for just over 470 kilometers before you reach Hverir. The trip will take almost 6 hours, so we strongly suggest taking breaks and maybe even turning it into a multi-day trip.
Join a Tour
Since Hverir is close to Lake Mývatn and right on the Ring Road, there are plenty of tours that have it as a stop. The most common tour to do around here is a tour around Lake Mývatn with all its cool spots, but sometimes, Hverir will also be a part of a Diamond Circle Tour.
Best Time to Visit Hverir
Since Hverir isn’t dependent on anything related to weather other than the sunlight, you can come for a visit at any time during the year. The summer in Iceland is often a good alternative if you want a lot of daylight and don’t want to deal with the cold temperatures.
The winter in Iceland provides an opportunity for you to see what happens when the hot Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area meets our ice-cold season. Even if the window is small to come visit due to limited daylight, Hverir does well in the winter and the blend of snow and colorful crystals makes for great Hverir Photos.
The best time to visit Hverir really comes down to what you prefer. The only Hverir Ticket you’ll have to pay is the parking fee, so you can come and go pretty much however you’d like.
Keep Safe at Hverir
The geothermal powers at play at Hverir are amazing to witness but can be dangerous if not treated with respect. The ground can reach over 200 degrees Celsius, and the acidic crystals on the ground can give you chemical burns if you’re not careful.
To keep safe, though, all you have to do is follow these simple guidelines:
- Always keep on the clearly marked path since this is the guaranteed safe area at Hverir.
- Don’t take a souvenir from Hverir. All it takes is a little bit of water or humidity for a rock or a crystal to give small chemical burns to the skin.
- There are plenty of viewing platforms along the Hverir Walking Path, so stick to those for good views. Don’t push your luck by hanging or climbing on the railings.
- Even if Hverir is a geothermal area, it can still be cold, so dress according to the weather.
- Also, air out your outfit after a visit to Hverir. Your nose, travel buddy, and whoever you get close to will appreciate it.
Things to Do Near Hverir
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, Hverir is not the place to go. This is very much in the middle of many attractions in Northern Iceland. Below are some examples of places to visit close to Hverir:
- Hike on the symmetrical Hverfjall Volcanic crater
- See the spot where Iceland converted to Christianity at Godafoss Waterfall
- Or walk where a Norse God set foot in Asbyrgi Canyon
- Visit the largest and most powerful waterfall in Iceland: Dettifoss
- Take a picture of the international movie star Grjótagjá Cave
- Drive Around Lake Mývatn and see the impressive nature and birdlife
- Have a therapeutic soak in the Mývatn Natural Baths
Where to Stay Near Hverir
With all these places to visit, it would be a shame not to take the time to spend a night or two near Hverir. We are fans of camping out in a campervan, but we’ve heard that others might enjoy hotel stays and such nonsense. Below are some accommodation options:
- Berjaya Mývatn Hotel is great if you want to indulge in a high-class hotel night or two.
- Slow Travel Myvatn is better suited for larger parties who want to rent a house for the entire group.
- Skutustadir Farmhouse is a good budget option for the one who doesn’t want to sleep in a campervan or tent.
- Myvatn Accommodation is the one-stop-shop for all sorts of accommodation. This place has campgrounds, guesthouses, a hostel, apartments, and a B&B.
Stink it Up at Hverir (But in a Good Way)
Iceland is a place of wonder. With all sorts of beautiful landscapes and serene hot springs to visit, it would be a shame to miss out on something like Hverir to shake things up a bit. This beautiful and smelly place is sure to provide you with happy memories.
The best way to discover Iceland (with all its smelly and non-smelly attractions) is with your very own transport. When you rent a campervan in Iceland, you will have both accommodation and transport dealt with in one go! So, saddle up and get going. Adventure waits for no one!
