Deildartunguhver is a hot spring in Reykholtsdalur, the western region of Iceland, north of Reykjavik. It is the world’s strongest hot spring!
Deildartunguhver is the strongest hot spring in Europe, and probably the world. The water in the spring has a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius and is known for its very fast flow – as much as 180 liters of boiling water per second burst to the surface here.
It presents itself as a constantly steaming small colorful hillside, at the foot of which boiling springs bubble to the surface in several places, bubbling and splashing loudly in the process. Of course, splashing, bubbling boiling water is dangerous, so special walkways and protective barriers have been built here, so we can view the boiling springs up close, but safely. Still, you have to be careful, especially with children, because the boiling water is nevertheless within reach and you can really hurt yourself.
For us tourists, Deildartunguhver is just another noisy attraction created by volcanoes. But for Icelanders, it is first and foremost a viable and very useful source of energy.
And it’s not just for heating the modern, intimate hot-water pool complex Krauma Geothermal Bath & Spa recently built right next door (which, naturally, you can visit when visiting Deildartunguhver).
Built between 1979 and 1981, the water pipeline to Akranes, Borgarnes and Hvanneyri is as long as 74 kilometers and is considered the longest of its kind in the world. Despite the length of the water pipeline, for example, in Akranes, more than 60 kilometers away, the water in the pipeline still has a temperature of more than 70 oC. This means that by showering or bathing even more than 50 kilometers away, you are still likely to benefit from the energy of Deildartunguhver’s hot spring… This is one fantastic example of how Icelanders are making efficient use of the geothermal energy on which they live, after all.
The largest settlement near Deildartunguhver is Reykholt, a beautiful village with a fascinating history. The settlement was once home to Snorri Sturluson, a historian, writer, chieftain and poet, without whom we would know little about Norse mythology, folklore and history at the time.
It’s definitely worth a look here if you’re exploring Iceland by driving around Route 1, or if you’re going to see Cape Snaefellsness (or are just returning from it). The spring is practically on the way to such attractions as Barnafoss and Hraunfoss or the cave Vidgelmir Cave and Surtshellir in the Kalmanstunga area. Also nearby are Glymur – Iceland’s highest tourist waterfall and Grabrok – volcanic crater surrounded by houses
To get from Reykjavík to Deildartunguhver, take Route 1 north, and before the bridge to Borgarnes, turn east on Route 50. The turn to the access road to the spring will be best marked with a directional sign to Krauma.
Taking Route 1 from the north, turn onto Route 50 in Baula.
