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All Iceland Reykjanes Gunnuhver
AO Edited

Gunnuhver

Iceland's largest geothermal mud pool is a little bit haunted and a little bit dangerous.

Reykjanes, Iceland

Added By
Alan Newman
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Gunnuhver, Iceland’s biggest hot spring.   Christian Bickel
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The legend of Gunna, the witch.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Gunnuhver, with the remains of the boardwalk.   Nancy Linford
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Large vent with remains of a wooden structure.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
“Danger”   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Gunnuhver   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Steaming mud pool.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Mud pool with geothermal plant in background.   Diego Delso
Icy boardwalk in January 2017.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Looking inland from the sea cliffs past the Reykjanesviti lighthouse over the mud pool towards the power station   Diego Delso
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About

Iceland is a cap atop a brewing geothermal field, the place where hot gases bubble out from deep within the earth through fissures in its tectonic plates. This phenomenon created the country's famous geysers and hot springs, the largest of which is Gunnuhver.

Gunnuhver measures 65 feet across and is constantly spewing dense, cloudy steam at a scalding 570˚F. It is unique from Iceland's other hot springs in that it is entirely seawater, due to its proximity to the ocean. The surrounding rocks are impressive as well, colored dazzling oranges and blues from unusual minerals. But its natural majesty isn't the only reason Gunnuhver is famous. It has a ghost story as well, which gave the hot spring its name.

The legend goes that an old woman named Gudrun, "Gunna" for short, lived in a small community on the Reykjanes peninsula sometime in the 18th century. She was largely disliked, and was suspected of being a witch because there was always something brewing in her pot. Shortly before her death, a judge paid Gunn a visit and ended up in a dispute with her. That same judge attended Gunn's funeral and was discovered dead the next morning, his body bruised and mutilated.

The old woman's ghost was to blame, and she didn't stop there. Her spirit terrorized the peninsula, wreaking mayhem. It wasn't until the locals plied a priest with liquor that they found a solution to trap Gudrun. Per the priest's advice, they left a loose end from a ball of twine for the ghost to grab hold of. She did, and the ball rolled into the hot spring, taking the witch's ghost with it and trapping her there forever. 

The hot spring takes its name from the old woman (Gunnuhver translates to "Gunn's hot spring"). Some say that Gudrun's ghost didn't fall into the boiling pit, but that she's hanging on to the edge for all eternity. The steam is constant and thick enough that it would certainly obscure any ghostly figures in or outside Gunnuhver.

Visitors can view the hot spring from several wooden observation platforms nearby. Gunnuhver was entirely closed to the public in 2006 when the spring became more active and expanded, consuming a portion of the platforms. Today the hot spring's activity has decreased, and Gunnuhver is supposedly safe for the time being. But it can be hard to tell when Gudrun will climb from the spring again.

Related Tags

Hot Springs Ghost Stories Geology Water

Know Before You Go

As you drive west from Grindavik the coast road turns to the north and passes a large geothermal plant. Take the first left after the plant and then the first left again. You will reach a T junction with the Reykjanesviti lighthouse easily visible on top of a hill to your right. Turn left into the parking area. Take care in winter, the boardwalks get very icy.

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Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Greg Jones, Molly McBride Jacobson, erjeffery, aribrown...

  • Greg Jones
  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • erjeffery
  • aribrown
  • GunnarHG
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Sonya222

Published

March 15, 2017

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Sources
  • Reykjanes Peninsular The Oficial Tourist Guide pub. Reykjanes Marketing Office 2016
  • https://hiticeland.com/photos%20from%20iceland/reykjanes/gunnuhver
  • http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/E/Iceland/Sudurnes/Gunnuhver.htm
  • http://unlockingkiki.com/steamy-weekend-iceland-gunnuhver-geothermal-area/
  • http://www.reykjavik.com/gunnuhver-geothermal-field-ghost-story/
  • https://www.icelandtravel.is/about-iceland/destination-guide/reykjanes/detail/item348946/Gunnuhver
  • https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/travel/places/nature/gunnuhver
Gunnuhver
East of Reykjanes Lighthouse
Reykjanes Peninsula
Reykjanes
Iceland
63.819266, -22.685207
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