Gunnuhver

Daniel Dorsa for Lonely Planet

Gunnuhver Hot Springs
ICELAND, RING ROAD ITINERARY 2025

The Gunnuhver geothermal area is in the heart of the Reykjanes Geopark, where the North Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean to create craters, lava fields, bird cliffs and geothermal hot spots like this one. Boardwalks allow you to get close to the eerie site, which is filled with bubbling pools and billowing steam. Iceland’s largest mudpot (at 20m) boils vigorously and is impossible to miss. Some observation areas get frighteningly close to the smoking geothermal activity – be careful in strong winds.

The area was named after a female ghost named Guðrún Önundardóttir (or Gunna) who was, the story goes, lured and trapped here by a priest.

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