Strokkur, Geysir

Strokkur translated into English is Churner. It isn't the largest geyser in Iceland, the credit for that lies with the nearby Geysir (meaning gusher), but it is incredibly impressive reaching upto 20 metres in height and is a great deal more relaible spouting every eight minutes or so.

Strokkur and Geysir erupt from the geyser fields in the geothermal Haukadalur valley of Southern Iceland. A massive cauldron of bubbling spurting mud, water and steam, the geyser fields are an essential visit for any tourist to the country. The two largest of the geysers, Strokkur and Geysir have been included in every Iclandic travel guides published from the 18th century to the present day.

It was the Great Geysir that gave the name to all geysers all over the world. Records tell of how Geysir once reached a staggering 70 metres. Today it merely gurgles! For years Icelanders added soap powder to the pool (a kind of Viagra for geysers) to stimulate eruption. However due to enviromental concerns this practice was prohited in the 1990s. Fortunately, Strokkur requires no artificial stimulation to perform. As regular as clockwork, Strokkur erupts every 8 minutes!

There are around thirty geysers and hot pools in the geyser fields. The whole area smells strongly of sulphur rather like bad eggs! The whole area seems almost surreal with rocks that emit smoke and water fountains streaking high into the sky. An experience not to be missed!

Entering from a gateway where an information board sits providing deatails, locations and names of the geysers. Other geysers in the area are Sódi (the sod), Smiður (the carpenter), Fata (the bucket), Blesi (the blazer), Litli Geysir (little gusher) and Litli Strokkur (little churnerr). A pathway winds alongside the geysers cordoned off with ropes.

Cordoned off for a reason! The small pools whiich when dormant look very innocent are of boiling water! The most common injury in Iceland is burns or scalds from curious tourists testing out the temperature!

Strokkur is approximately 500 metres from the raodside. You know when you have reached it from the benches positioned around its circumference - a pointer for any tourist; this is what you've come to see!

The pool about 3-4 metres in diameter lies still. Then as the eruption begins, there is a slight bubbling; a whirlpool effect; the water level begins to fall and then bulge followed by a sudden explosive burst of steam shooting upwards to form a living obelisk. After what only appears to be a few seconds, the display is over with the water dropping downward spraying steam and water onto the surrounding paths and tourists poised with cameras until the pool is again still.

In the icy November of our visit, the paths quickly become covered in sheet ice making walking treacherous.

The natural phenomenum of the Haukadalur geysers first came into being in the 13th century when there was a series of strong earthquakes accompanied by the eruption of Mount Hekla. Various earthquake activity since this time have altered ther geyser activitiy in the area. For the present, Strokkur continues to perform its dramatic eruption several times every day!!

Until 1894 the Geysir fields were owned by a local farmer. In that year the area was sold to James Craig, a whisky distiller and future Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Initially he erected large fences around the site and an entrance fee was charged for visitors wishing to view the geysers. The following year however Craig gave the fields as a present to E. Craig who dropped the entrance fees. The fields were sold to film director Sigurður Jónasson in 1935 who donated it to the Icelandic people in perpetuity. Entrance remains free today.

Across the road from the geyser fields, is the Geysir-Centre specially built to cater for the hoards of visiting tourists. It consists of a restaurant, hotel, swimming pool, souvenir shop, snack shop, petrol station, multimedia show, horse rental, 4 wheels quad, camping area and toilets. The restaurant serves a good lunch buffet with an array of starters, hot and cold dishes (avoid the whale meat though - urghhh!), delicious desserts and coffee - as much as you can eat for 4000 Icelandic Krona per person. Not only satisfying and tasty but efficient and friendly service as well - highly recommended.

The geysers together with Þingvellir and the Gullfoss waterfall form part of the most visited sights of Iceland, the Golden Circle. At the time of writing, an organised tour from Reykjavik costs 7000 Icelandic Krona. The route is well signposted making it easily accessible by car. There is a large parking area at the centre free of charge.

The undisputed highlight of our visit to Iceland!