It was beautiful. Theres a Nordic inspired lounge area with large open fire and comfy seats. Group size is limited to 8 people. Bonus that we went on a day that wasn't that busy. In the winter, the trails can become an icy and muddy mess. Read our guide to the best time to visit Iceland to get a good grasp of what to expect in each season. Set on the river amongst bubbling springs, this eco-hotel has been lovingly designed by local artists with wooden floors and bright interiors. We struggled with this as we didnt have any internet. It is about 15km north of Selfoss, off of highway 35. You can also bring some snacks and water to have energy and stay hydrated during the hike. Selfoss | Selfoss Hostel - Selfoss is a small town that offers plenty of activities but not that many hotels. Payment is made by card either via the EasyPark App or via the machines in the car park. These geothermal marvels offer the unique experience of bathing in a hot river, surrounded by Iceland's untouched beauty. But how to do get to this natural wonder? By the time we were done, it was almost 10 PM. If you need a true experience of fire and ice of Iceland, you must try Reykjadalur in winter. Filled with mud pools, hot springs, and a geothermally heated river which is open to tourists, Reykjadalur is also known as the valley of steams. Several people had them. Make sure you are physically able to hike to the Reykjadalur hot springs AND BACK. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Therefore, you can easily include it in yourIceland itinerary. From Reykjavik, get on Route 49 and head east towards the Highway 1 (Ring Road), Follow Highway 1 east for 45 km (28 miles), Once you arrive in Hverageri, look for signs for the, Pay and park, then begin the hike to the hot spring, Comfortable walking shoes or hiking sandals (like. That should be all the information you need to plan your visit to Reykjadalur Hot Springs. Tiny succulents, reeds and moss-covered rocks create a wave of green amongst the red and black volcanic hills. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From Iceland's capital city Reykjavik, it's about a 45-minute drive (50 km/31 mi) to the Reykjadalur parking lot. For example, when we visited, there were several dozen other people enjoying the springs when we arrived at the river. Kinda a survival of the smartest mentality. We chose a section of the river that had cooler temperatures, as I was pregnant at the time (Iceland makes a great honeymoon or babymoon by the way!). You don't want to end up being stuck in a whiteout blizzard and get lost. The valley and the hot river are close to both Golden Circle andReykjanes Peninsula, one of the best attractions in Iceland. We think the best combination is in the Reykjadalur Valley. This is one of my favorite places on earth! The experience was once in a lifetime and was even more interesting in the winter months-- with snow falling through the various holes in the cave's ceiling and ice sculptures reaching the top of the cave. So what else should you know about visiting Reykjadalur Hot Springs? The same goes for international travelers who have just recently discovered this natural treasure. Dont forget to extend your arms side to side in the gap to touch both North America and Europe at the same time! Here, you have to hop on a bus 51 heading to Hveragerdi (Hverageri). Hot springs are plentiful in Iceland. There isnt really any privacy near the trail for a nature bathroom stop. The only exception would be wintertime or when the temperatures drop below zero Celsius. Iceland's weather is unpredictable, and the challenging trail conditions altogether with wind can make the hike difficult. Look for the rocks lined up on the edge of the water, this will indicate the deepest section of the river. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Option to camp out on the side of the river to enjoy a sunset or sunrise soak. And a borehole called Drottningarhola or Queen's borehole. Best Time to Visit Turkey: When to Go & When to Avoid! As we could see the trail all the time, there was no confusion, and it was impossible to get lost. If you try this hike in the colder months, Id advise bringing along crampons and trekking poles both are light and pack down small enough to fit into a carry-on and will help provide better traction on the slick trail. Either way, this spot is too fun to pass up. I mean burn you to death in minutes hot. As you continue on, the trail markers disappear but you shouldnt be worried about it as the trail is well used so it is easy to find and follow. Youve officially made it to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs! Directions to the Reykjadalur parking lot: The 3-kilometer in-and-out Reykjadalur Hot Springs trail is moderately difficult. Youll see some hot springs and mud pots that are boiling. To get to the right spot, simply search . Your email address will not be published. Not to mention hot springs are the bread and butter of an Iceland trip, so it only makes sense to visit one of the best ones! Its long and more strenuous that it appears. But the boiling hot spring nearby overflows. The nearest towns to Reykjadalur are Hveragerdi or Selfoss, but they're not the only options. Psst! If you put Reykjadalur Cafe into your GPS, youll get there. Located just 40 minutes south of Reykjavk, Reykjadalur is an easy hike that nonetheless shows off many of the Icelandic landscape's unique characteristics. The bathing location is a 1-hour walk from the parking lot. Close to theReykjavik, near the popularGolden Circle, known forGullfoss WaterfallandGeysir Geothermal Area, the location is way too accessible and the hot springs way too perfect to remain hidden from curious visitors. It's on the way to other popular stops This is just a short detour off of the Ring Road and can also make a great way to end a Golden Circle road trip. In terms of where you should soak in the river, anywhere along the boardwalk should be a safe place to enter (although, to be on the conservative side, Id recommend dipping your foot in rather than plopping your whole body down, in case its too hot). When youre looking for a spot in the river, youll also notice that the portion of the river along the boardwalk has been divided into sections with small walls of river rocks. The water is warm enough throughout the entire year, so you don't have to worry about that. The best way to get to the trailhead of the hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs is to drive your own car, or you know, a rental. As usual, a small donation is appreciated. This was a really cool place. 1. If you plan on visiting Iceland, youll find it much easier in the summer. Therefore, it is a perfect choice for everyone planning the visit early in the morning or just before bedtime. The area is beautiful and I am giving 5 stars even though our experience was more challenging. Unless you visit the spring at a very strange hour, like at 4 AM during the midnight sun (i.e., a phenomenon places near the Arctic Circle experience during summer with extended daylight hours and sunsets that seemingly last forever) or in the dead of winter, its likely youll be sharing the hot spring with other people. Apparently, the water is even warmer when you walk further upstream. Hiking // There are several great hiking tracks in the Reykjadalur Valley from where you can take in the beauty of the area. Dont miss the bubbling mud pool of Drottningarhola, or Queens borehole. There is no changing room at the thermal river. The valley, through which a hot river runs, is full of hot springs and mud pools. Water boiling out of dozens of hot springs in the hills trickle into one body, which is also fed with . Reykjadalur is one of our favourite geothermal pools in Iceland and a great day trip from Reykjavik. But again, Reykjadalur Hot Springs water is comfortable and warm even in winter. Good to know: The entire trail is an unmarked, old sheeps path, but its well-worn and maintained so you wont get lost. It's also a very scenic part ofIceland, so take your time and enjoy the views. If you dont have access to GPS while youre in Iceland, follow Route 1 about 40 minutes southeast of Reykjavik. During this period, we would be more worried about the trail's condition than the water temperature. Are you planning to visit Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River on your trip to Iceland and have more questions? These tips will help make your visit to Reykjadalur Hot Spring truly memorable! 01 Safe Areas // Although the river is steaming for much of your walk, it takes an hour to reach the official bathing area. Viola hot springs. Youll know youve arrived in the safe area of the river when you spot the boardwalk and the criss-crossed wooden boards that serve as changing areas. Relax in Reykjadalur's hot spring thermal river after an hour-long hike through top Icelandic nature! Most hot springs youll see on the hike to Reykjadalur are too hot to swim in. The parking lot is often full, but people leave their cars on each side of the access road. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Reykjadalur Thermal River. This includes throwing rocks and trash in them. Reykjadalur hot springs are located just 45 minutes from Reykjavk outside of the town of Hveragerdi. The awesome thing about Reykjadalur, though, as compared to some of the other hot springs weve been to, is how many people it can accommodate- despite the number of people around, we were easily able to find a spot that was both a comfortable temperature and reasonably private. But finding the right combination of volcanic activity, natural beauty and quiet surrounds can be a challenge. We hiked this trail in trail runners rather than hiking boots. First, you need to get to Mjodd Bus Station in Reykjavik. Lastly, dont get too close to the hot springs or leave the trail. We have TONS of resources on travel in Iceland and how to make the most out of your trip. Good to know: The water temperature is consistently warm throughout the year, so you dont have to worry about it fluctuating much with the seasons, even in winter. Well, youll have to do a bit of work. Please explore responsibly! However, if youre imaging a natural Icelandic hot spring, this will impress. It takes around forty minutes to travel from Reykjavik to Reykjadalur. Hveragerdi has a grocery store, gas station, but also some restaurants and quite a few accommodation options. There is a parking lot available for a small fee at the Reykjadalur trailhead. Reykjadalur Tour 1 // This tour will collect you from your hotel and drive you out to Reykjadalur Hot Springs. And there was something about being in this lush valley with others who were at the beginning of their Iceland trip or nearing their final days. SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads. And due to its proximity to Iceland's capital, it's no wonder many people also consider Reykjadalur Hot Springs one of the best day trips from Reykjavik. Getting around Iceland by public transport is not that common, but there is a way to reach Hveragerdi from Reykjavik. If you found this guide useful, wed love it if you could follow us on Instagram. Weve been providing free travel content on Anywhere We Roam since 2017. However, everyone here seemed to be totally fine changing and everyone seemed to respect our space when we were changing. From there, you have to walk. Its a steep uphill walk for the first 25 minutes before the path levels somewhat at the top of the valley. Once you start on the trail, it will be flat for the first minute or so, then begin the steady uphill all the way to the river. These springs are a great place to swim after the hike in. The hike was enough uphill to keep us awake after our overnight flight, but not too challenging that we didnt have the energy. As it was getting colder outside, we moved a few meters upstream, and it seemed that it was correct. This is because hot springs can be underground and the ground above them can be thin. Rolling green hills. And what a welcome it was! Enjoy reading!] Next, youll get a pretty nice view of the Djpagilsfoss waterfall. As mentioned above, unless you come at a really oddball hour, there will likely be other people in the springs. Around halfway along the hike, the lovely Djpagilsfoss waterfall drops into the Djpagil Canyon for a great photo opportunity. Most visitors usually start their hike around 10 AM. 9 Best Reykjavik Hot Springs You Must Visit Sky Lagoon Luxury Reykjavik hot springs just 10 minutes from downtownyes please! If you appreciate what we do, here are some ways you can support us. Like all Icelandic food, it seems overpriced but the cafe is beautiful. From Reykjavik, our group hired drivers to take us up to the basecamp of one of the few snowmobiling tour guide serves that runs tours during winter, Mountaineers of Iceland.