In the Land of Fire and Ice, you can expect to come across your fair share of natural hot springs. But the Deildartunguhver Thermal Springs holds a special charm with some pretty impressive characteristics.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Deildartunguhver Hot Spring and why it’s such a much-visited spot on the island. We tell you where it is, how to get there, what other exciting things you can look forward to in the area, and much, much more.
What Makes Deildartunguhver So Special?
Deildartunguhver may appear to be just another natural hot spring in Iceland, but it comes with some pretty impressive accolades. Deildartunguhver holds the title of the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. It also boasts an incredibly fast flow, clocking in an astounding 180 liters of water per second.
The temperature of the water at Deildartunguhver is also a constant 97 degrees Celsius, so this is definitely not the type of hot spring you take a quick dip in (it will be your last). But it is this extreme heat that makes Deildartunguhver so useful here on the island; it is used to heat the homes in the town of Borgarnes (34 kilometers away from Deildartunguhver) as well as Akranes (64 kilometers away from Deildartunguhver).
The popular Krauma Geothermal Baths also get their thermal water from Deildartunguhver, although it needs to be significantly cooled down for it to be safe to use. This means that the effects of Deildartunguhver can literally be felt for many, many kilometers beyond the boundaries of Deildartunguhver itself.
Where is Deildartunguhver in Iceland?
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring can be found in the Reykholtsdalur district in West Iceland, about 100 kilometers north of the capital city of ReykjavÃk. Since it will only take you roughly 1.5 hours to travel to Deildartunguhver, it’s possible to do this as a day trip, although we recommend that you include it as a stop along a road trip around the island, so you can take in the rest of the sights in the area.
How to Get to Deildartunguhver
The most common way of reaching Deildartunguhver is via your own transport, and the directions are pretty straightforward when driving from the direction of ReykjavÃk.
Simply get on Route 1 aka the popular Ring Road route and drive through Mt Esja and the Hvalfjördur Tunnel. Turn right onto Road 50 towards Borgarfjördur Valley, just before the bridge to Borgarnes. Continue on this road and simply turn off at the Deildartunguhver sign.
Things to Do at Deildartunguhver & Surrounds
There are plenty of exciting sights at Deildartunguhver and the surrounding area. Here are a few that need to be on your Iceland to-do list:
The town of Reykholt, the home of Iceland’s well-known historian, Snorri Sturluson. Learn more at the Snorrastofa Centre.
The greenhouse, where you can purchase geothermally grown fruits and veg (you’ll find the stand next to Deildartunguhver).
Krauma Geothermal Baths.
Hraunfossar Waterfall.
Barnafoss Waterfall.
Vidgelmir Lava Cave (the longest lava cave in Iceland).
Delidartunguhver Hot Spring; A Road Trip Hot Spot
There’s no doubt that Deildartunguhver is an impressive sight, but it’s also clear that there is plenty to do and see in its surroundings, warranting a longer stay to properly explore the area.
That’s why we recommend renting a campervan in ReykjavÃk and doing a Ring Road road trip where you add Deildartunguhver as a stop along the way. This way you can take full advantage of all the exciting attractions and activities this much-loved spot on the island has to offer.