Reykjadalur Hot Springs: Iceland’s Most Popular Geothermal River
Reykjadalur Hot Springs is my favorite natural hot spring in Iceland. I mean…how often can you say you soaked in a geothermal river?!
Not only is it a unique experience, but it evokes a sense of community and connection to the history of the land and culture. The river is most popular with locals and has been for decades. Lately, travelers have been making their way there.
For me, this is a not-to-be-missed wellness experience. I’m going to share everything you need to know about getting there, the soaking experience, and what you need to bring to make the best of your time there. Enjoy!
At a Glance
- Drive time from Reykjavik: approximately 45 minutes
- Hiking distance to hot springs: 1.9 miles (3km)
- Hike difficulty: moderate
- Elevation gain: approximately 1,100 feet (335 meters)
- Hike time: about an hour give or take
- Amenities: wooden structures for changing
- Fees: no fees for the springs but you have to pay for parking
How To Get To Reykjadalur Hot Springs
The Reykjadalur thermal river is located just outside the town of Hveragerði in the Reykjadalur Valley. This is about a 28-mile (46 km) drive from Reykjavik or about 45 minutes.
*You could do this as a little day trip from Reykjavik and tack on Selfoss, or you could do this on your way to Vik (a popular town in the south of Iceland).
Head northeast out of Hveragerði on Breiðamörk road. The road will turn into Reykjadalur Road. Keep going until you see a large parking area on your left (about 5 minutes).
TIP: Just map to Reykjadalur Café or the Parking payant de Reykjadalur.
Reykjadalur Café is located in the parking lot and has restrooms, coffee, and treats.
Parking
You have to pay to park here. The parking lot is not just for the springs, it provides access to many activities in this area: hiking, zip lining, a cafe, horseback riding, etc. You can pay using a machine or with the EasyPark app. We paid about $6 for 3 hours.
NOTE: When we went, the machine was barely working (the sun turns the screen black so you can’t see anything) and the wifi wasn’t working so we couldn’t download the app. If this happens, I got the impression it wasn’t a big deal (maybe the time of year). But if you are able to pay one of these ways please pay!
Apparently, this parking lot gets very busy and fills up completely in the summer months. In this situation, you can park along the road. We went in mid-September, arrived around 9:30 am, and got a parking spot in the front row.
If you don’t have a car this tour is a great option. They will pick you up from Reykjavik and take you to the hot springs.
The Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs
To reach this thermal river you have to hike about 2 miles (each way). I loved this because 1) the harder it is to get somewhere the fewer people actually do it, and 2) when you reach the destination it’s that much more rewarding.
The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River trailhead is just off this parking lot. You will see a sign with trail maps and information about the area. Start here.
NOTE: This is a great hiking area! There are many scenic hikes in the valley – you can choose to do other hikes or you can hike to the hot springs and then continue past them.
The path is obvious and easy to follow. And you likely will not be alone on it. You will run into other hikers and soakers, and probably people on horseback, and maybe even some sheep.
Also read: Best Snorkeling Tours of Silfra Iceland
How Long is the Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River?
The hike took us 50 minutes. Depending on your fitness level, how many times you want to stop to admire the landscape, and the weather conditions, it may take a little less, or more. The trail is well-kept and has about 1,100 feet of elevation gain – most of it is a gradual incline.
Along the hike, you will pass Djúpagilsfoss waterfall (see photo). You can’t miss it. If you have the time or desire, you can even hike down to the falls.
You will also see several steaming vents and hot pots (most too hot to get in) as this is a highly active geothermal area. Reykjadalur actually translates to “steam valley”.
Eventually, you will come upon the shallow hot river surrounded only by secluded wilderness.
The areas where you can enter the river are flanked by wooden boardwalks (to protect the environment from all of the traffic). Now you have arrived!
TIP: If you are going in winter, you might want to bring micro-spikes.
The Soak
The water temperature ranges between 36°C (96°F) and 40°C (104°F). The further up the river you go, the hotter it gets. We chose a spot somewhere in the middle.
There are wooden dividers along the boardwalk for changing. While this was a pleasant surprise for me, it might still feel quite out in the open for others. Make sure to bring a towel if you want additional privacy (and wear your bathing suit under your clothes on the hike up!).
The river is sectioned off with small rock walls creating shallow pooled areas. When you sit, the water will rise to around your belly button; higher or lower in some areas depending on where you are.
You can lay back and submerge your whole body. We found this shallow depth enjoyable, but we also had mild weather when we went so I could see how some might be cold with their upper bodies out of the water in winter.
The atmosphere was really special here. A nice mix of locals and visitors indulging in the healing properties of the hot, mineral-rich water. We had some great conversations in this river.
Other Things to Do in Hveragerði
Hveragerdi is a small town with lots going on! If you want to make a whole day out of visiting the hot springs, you can easily do that.
Hveragerdi Geothermal Park: For a fun educational (and somewhat relaxing) experience, check out the geothermal park located right in the center of town.
Here you can walk around and observe active geysers, and older inactive geysers, boil an egg in a hot spring (!!), try the bread that they bake using geothermal steam, and even get a clay footbath! How fun!
They also have a large greenhouse on site that they heat with geothermal water year-round – making it possible to grow tropical fruit in Iceland!
The Megazipline: This is the longest zipline in Iceland and is a fan favorite! Take the whole family and see Iceland in a whole new way. The megazipline starts from the same parking lot as the Reykjadalur trailhead.
Hveragerdi Swimming Pool: Laugaskard is a geothermally heated pool and swim center in Hveragerdi. At 50m, it used to be Iceland’s largest pool, but a larger pool opened in Reykjavik. There’s also a children’s pool, hot tub, & steam.
Grodurhusid Food Market: Grodurhusid is a food hall located in The Greenhouse Hotel in the center of town. Opened in 2021, it features several restaurants, ice cream, a bar, & shopping, set in a greenhouse-esque building.
NLFI Rehabilitation and Health Clinic: This rehabilitation and health clinic offers various spa treatments including mud baths with geothermal mud, massages, and acupuncture. Purchase of any treatment gets you access to the hot tub, steam room, and swimming pool.
Kjoris Ice Cream: A soft-serve ice cream shop! A staple in the town – treat yourself to some Icelandic ice cream after hiking and soaking at Reykjadalur.
Where to Stay Nearby
You can even stay in town and make an overnight out of it! There are two hotels that I featured on my unique stays in Iceland right in Hveragerdi.
The Greenhouse Hotel is located right in the center of town. This hotel has super tall floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby making it look like a greenhouse.
It’s filled with tons of plants, has a food hall with seven restaurants and a bar, and has a balcony facing over the food hall for sitting back and watching the sky or enjoying occasional live music.
They also act as an adventure hub and will facilitate any type of tour or activity from buggy tours, to glacier hiking, to geothermal bathing.
Frost and Fire Hotel is located on the edge of town (Hveragerdi is very small).
The hotel is nice but the most attractive thing about it is its amenities (outdoor geothermal hot tubs and a pool and a sauna) and its location (right on the River Varma and a 5-minute drive from the hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River).
The hotel rooms are modern and spacious and Restaurant Varmá, located on-site, serves Icelandic fine dining cuisine slow-cooked in the hot springs.
Hotel Frost and Fire is conveniently located for lots of outdoor adventuring and hot spring hunting in Iceland.
When to go to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
You can visit this natural geothermal river year-round. We went in September and it was delightful. The weather was fairly mild (some sun, moderate temps) and it wasn’t that busy.
If you go in the summer you will want to arrive as early as possible in order to get a parking spot and enjoy any sense of solitude.
If you go in the winter, make sure to bring micro spikes because the pathway can be icy. It can be incredibly beautiful in the wintertime when the hills are covered with snow.
As far as the best time to go though, I would recommend Spring or Fall.
Tips & What To Bring to Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Although this is not an aggressive venture, there are some things you can do to make this as enjoyable and smooth as possible.
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes on the way there, and bring a plastic bag to put your wet suits in on the hike back.
The river is….a river so it’s a little rocky. Bring water shoes to protect your feet. My favorite water adventure shoes are these Tevas. I bring them on every trip. They are super lightweight, fast-drying, and cute!
When you are hiking you may encounter lots of flying bugs. Bring bug spray! This is something we did not know about and did not expect or prepare for.
The bugs were only on certain sections of the trail and not horrendous, but we heard that they can be brutal in the summer. You may even want a net. We saw the guides on horseback wearing them. The locals always know what’s up!
Bring a pack towel to dry off after you soak! This is my favorite travel pack towel that I bring on most of my adventures.
Wrap Up
Reykjadalur thermal bathing pools in Iceland offer a unique and rejuvenating wellness experience that you can’t miss.
The short trek to this geothermal wonder is well worth the effort, providing visitors with the opportunity to soak in warm mineral-rich waters while surrounded by breathtaking views of the Icelandic countryside.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, a visit to Reykjadalur promises to be a memorable highlight of your trip to Iceland.