Hverir — Attraction in Iceland

Really cool place, but be aware that the hike from the left side is EXTREMELY dangerous. Please don't do it. Came on a day with good weather, so dirt was soft and dry. As in too soft and dry. Took an unlucky step while making my way up on the left side where the path was very narrow and steep, and the ground completely crumbled underneath my foot and I went down on an uncontrollable slide a good several meters. It was terrifying. Was able to hold onto nothing since it was all loose dirt. Miraculously, and I really mean miraculously, right as I was sliding to the very edge, I was able to get hold of a small rock. It still came out of the dirt from my pulling, but it was enough to slow me down so that I could finally stop before I fell off. Anyways, very scary, the warning sign significantly downplays the real danger (all it says is "very steep don't hike in muddy conditions"), the left side is absolutely not worth it and in my opinion that path should in no way be open to the public, especially in the way it is currently maintained. There are no safety barriers whatsoever. Just do this hike as an out-and-back on the RIGHT side only (the side closest to the road). The right side is much easier and makes the hike worth it, otherwise it's very much not worth the hike.

And to be clear: no hiking poles would help with the worst parts on the left, to get past the steepest part you will need both hands to stay low and scramble up with the very minimal rocks in the ground you can come into contact with. And turning back at the point where you realize "oh s* this is so much worse than I thought" is too late / very very dangerous because at that point you would have already passed a lot of very steep parts of the path and in my opinion would have had an even greater risk of slipping down in an uncontrolled way if you had tried to turn back. For me it was a point of no return and the only way was up...or fall off a cliff. Granted, it's not that tall of a cliff, but still enough for me to be grateful to be alive and very shaken up after. I had seen other people go up seemingly fine that day and previously read reviews saying it was "fun"...NO. I should have looked closer into reviews like on AllTrails where multiple other people pointed out just how slippery that path is even when dry and the exact point where you could fall off that cliff where I almost did. I ended up slipping two more times and having to scoot up on my butt and hands because there was truly nothing to grip onto. This kind of loose dirt felt more slippery than mud, because it just completely crumbles underneath you and falls apart into nothing.

For context, I'm fit and in my 20s. I hike a lot. Have done a lot of other trails in Iceland. This was the scariest hiking experience of my life. This most dangerous part is a small section compared to the rest, but it is everything.

I really hope more people pay attention to this and pray no one faces the situation I...

I visited Hverir on my recent trip to Iceland and was absolutely blown away by this place. Hverir, located in the northern part of the country, is one of the most fascinating geothermal fields in the world. If you are a lover of nature and unusual landscapes, you must visit this place. Upon arrival in Hverir I was greeted by a surreal landscape that looked like it came from another planet. At first glance, you can see white, yellow and orange undulating areas where mud seeps and bubbles and hot water. This unusual phenomenon is the result of geothermal and volcanic activity in this part of Iceland. Walking around Hverir, I had the impression that I moved in time to the prehistoric era. The view of geysers spewing steam and hot springs of all shapes and sizes was amazing. It was an unforgettable sight for me and an opportunity to see the power of nature in all its glory. However, it is important to remember that Hverir is an area with a high concentration of hydrogen sulphide, which means that there can be quite a strong smell in some places. Therefore, I recommend wearing a face mask and avoiding prolonged exposure to areas with the highest gas concentrations. These small inconveniences, however, are undoubtedly worth sacrificing to experience this unique attraction. All in all, Hverir is a place that should be on the list of every traveler visiting Iceland. Its unique geothermal formations, hot springs and spectacular landscapes provide an unforgettable experience. Just remember to prepare properly to enjoy this place to...

If you ever try to imagine what Hell might look or smell like, go to Hverir. You will get a good sense of that, for sure. This place is easily noticeable from afar, with its colorful mountain slopes, the smoke coming out of the ground and the load of tourists in the area. The parking is paid, as usual. The restrooms at the parking lot don't work and have an Out of Order sign which seems to have been there for some time now. When you step out of your car and start walking towards the area, you'll need some time to get used to the heavy smell of sulfur and other earthy goodies. The walking paths are surrounded by boiling holes full of hot grey mud. Make sure you don't step outside of the paths, or you risk getting burned or even sink. At least that's what all the signs warn you about - it's your responsibility to keep yourself out of danger. These colors are as much frightening as they are beautiful. A mixture of yellow, green, brown, greyish and bluish. Everything looks like coming out of a painting of an impressionist. A very memorable sight, indeed. Still, the sense of being close to Hell never leaves you. And this is the impression this...