hot springs

Hveragerdi hot springs. A vast number of people pass through or by Hveragerði in south Iceland each year. Located 45 km from Reykjavik, Hveragerði may be seen from the vantage point of the Kambar mountain slope, as it spreads out across a 5,000 year-old lava field. Troughout the year, pillars of steam from the numerous hot springs in the town may be seen rising up out of the ground. In summer the town is truly a green community, abounding in trees. A green revolution is taking place as areas of woodland in and around Hveragerði expand, with the locals working together in order to further develop their blossoming town. Without doubt, Hveragerði´s, most precious gem is it´s geothermal park. There can not be many towns in the world with hot springs literally in peoples back yard. The geothermal park is centrally located and is open every day in the summer time. A natural clay foot bath can be enjoyed in the park and afterwards you can soak your feet in one of the hot springs. In a hole in the park the locals bake the famous black bread using the geothermal ground as an oven.Our friendly hens in the park lay eggs that tourist can boil in the hot springs and later enjoy warm with the bread. Guidance is provided on the spot. During off season time please contact the local information office which arranges group tours upon request. Only 50 metres from the Geothermal Park a restaurant uses the geothermal heat for its outdoor kitchen which its visitors find simply fantastic.  The existence of hot springs led people to settle in Hveragerði. The natural hot water could be used for space heating, for cooking, baking and laundry. But it also led to the development of jobs. The first market garden, Fagrihvammur, was founded by the Varmá river in 1929. A year later the first greenhouse was built, marking the beginning of greenhouse horticulture in this region. Horticulture became a key sector of the local economy. Hveragerði began to grow a community in bloom.