Iceland · Southern · Sveitarfélagið Ölfus · Natural hot spring · co-located hot spring resort

Sveitarfélagið Ölfus 810, Iceland
64.0260° N · 21.2122° W · OSM node/2994763387
Description

Trail leading up the Reykjadalur Valley to a natural hot spring located within grand natural beauty.

Amenities
Wheelchair accessible entranceOnsite servicesOnsite services availableHikingGood for hikingOut-and-back trailModerate trailWalkingGood for walkingRestaurantDebit cardsPaid parking lotPaid street parking
What visitors say top 5 of 15 reviews
Koorosh Parvaz5 months ago
★★★★★

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A magical experience like bathing in nature’s spa! Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is truly one of the most unforgettable places in Iceland. The hike to get there takes about 45–60 minutes depending on your pace, and every step is worth it. You walk through stunning mountain landscapes, bubbling mud pools, and clouds of geothermal steam and at the end, you’re rewarded with a warm river flowing through the valley where you can relax and soak in nature’s heat. The water temperature changes as you move along the river, so you can easily find your perfect spot. It’s peaceful, scenic, and feels completely natural no artificial pools or crowds like in some tourist spots. Tip: Bring good shoes for the hike, a towel, water, and maybe a small snack. There are no facilities up there, but that’s what makes it feel so pure and wild. Go early in the morning or later in the evening for a quieter experience. An absolute must-do if you visit Iceland it’s not just a place to bathe, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. ♨️🇮🇸🌄

Jale Riza7 months ago
★★★★★

We started the trail just before sunset around 19:00 in September and did the trail in 45-50 minutes. First half is steep and requires some effort, but views are breathtaking. The reward at the end are the spring pools, which provide a deserved rest after a day of driving, walking and activities. The pools at the top are the warmest. There are changing stalls, but still you are exposed a bit, but worth the discomfort to soak in the hot water and chill. There were at least 10 people which stayed even when it got dark. At the end we witnessed the northern lights. I can only imagine what the people who stayed past 9 pm would experience - stars and aurora. Way back with headlights was fine. This is an experience and activity I would 100% recommend every adventurous traveller in Iceland!

Alex Veres7 months ago
★★★★★

Amazing experience! The hike up takes about 45–60 minutes depending on pace, with beautiful scenery all along the way — valleys, mountains, and steam vents. At the top you reach the thermal river, where you can relax in naturally warm water surrounded by nature. The water temperature varies depending on how far up or down you go, so you can find the perfect spot. The path can be a bit steep and muddy in places, so good shoes are recommended. Unfortunately, some people leave garbage, towels, and beer bottles around the changing area, which is a shame in such a beautiful place. Totally worth the effort — one of the highlights of Iceland!

Noah Merriken2 months ago
★★★★★

My wife and I had a great time hiking to the thermal river! Parking lot had a nice bathroom with cafe attached. Hike was moderately challenging, it was raining when we got there at sunrise and as we climbed it turned to snow. You definitely need proper gear, we used crampons as we got higher. There were at least 2 stream crossings so waterproof footwear is needed. Another thing to note is the distance to the river is a bit further than the sign says. It said 3km but I tracked on my GPS watch and it was nearly 5k. There was about 600ft of elevation gain on the way as well.

Davina Boykin6 months ago
★★★★☆

We went into this hike thinking it was 35 minutes, based on someone else's review. It is NOT. It took us an hour and a half, and most of that is on an incline. You are basically climbing a mountain. The river is amazing and well worth it, but just know that it is a long hard climb to get to that reward. I would have been much happier on the hike had I known what I was getting into. There are Amazing views as you climb though.

Showing the longest 5 of 15 visitor reviews. Reviews are displayed under fair use for editorial commentary; full text and authorship credit belong to the original reviewers.

OSM tags
natural
hot_spring
Gear up

Primitive springs don’t come with towels. A quick-dry towel, water shoes, and a headlamp for the walk back all pack small.

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