Seltún Geothermal Area

Seltún is located in a area of intense volcanic and geothermal activity called Krýsuvík, slightly southwest of Reykjavik on the Reykjane peninsula. It sits right above a major fissure on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and even in the land of 'fire and ice,' it is a bizarre and volatile landscape of steaming thermal springs, gurgling mud and cracks in the ground that spew forth hissing gasses and water warmed by subterranean layers of boiling magma, which raises temperatures underground to 200°C (390°F).
Set against an arid background of barren rocks layered with brown, green, red and yellow soils stained with minerals, steam and the acrid smell of sulfur hang heavy in the air above silver layers of mud and turquoise water. A wooden boardwalk allows visitors to view the bubbling hot springs close up and the Krýsuvík area is popular with photographers and hikers; a sign-posted walking trail departs from the parking lot at Seltún.

Practical Info

Set in Reykjanes Geopark, the area is 40 minutes from Reykjavik by car on Road 42; parking is available.