The land of fire and ice is well-known for having amazing hot spring baths scattered all over the county. Missing out on the experience of sitting in nature and enjoying the healing properties of the mineral-rich spring water is essential to a good Iceland holiday. Hrunalaug Hot Spring is one of the places that embodies the traditional way of doing this, and in this article, we dive into the warmth of its embrace.
The Hot Goss About Hrunalaug Hot Spring
You will often hear about “hidden gems” in Iceland, from hidden waterfalls deep in the Highlands to small historical buildings in the middle of Reykjavik. Hrunalaug Hot Spring is one of the well-known gems in Iceland that has yet to get the attention it deserves. This means you might get lucky and get the whole place to yourself if you visit at the right time.
Hrunalaug Natural Hot Spring has kept its natural form, even though the owner reinforced the walls with stone. It was originally “built” in 1890 by the farmer who owned the land as a place for him and his family to have hot baths and wash their clothes. As time passed, more pools were added to the area and it’s now a local favorite amongst the hot springs.
The view from the Hrunalaug Hot Spring in Iceland is a serene picture of rolling hills, covered in a green blanket of grass and moss. You will sit in between two tall hills that mark the small valley that the spring is in.
Where is Hrunalaug Hot Spring?
Just a little bit to the east of the town of Fludir in the southern part of Iceland, Hrunalaug Hot Spring can be found along a gravel road that’s a little off the beaten path. Despite this, the hot spring is only about 1.5 hours away from Reykjavik by car, so this can easily be a day trip from the capital. It’s also very close to the Golden Circle, so many opt to have it as a part of their trip or tour.
How do I Get to Hrunalaug Hot Spring?
The two ways of getting to Hrunalaug Hot Spring are to either join a tour or drive there yourself.
Drive Yourself
As we said earlier, it only takes roughly 90 minutes to get to the Hrunalaug Hot Spring from Reykjavik. The quickest way is to drive the 108-kilometer route via Selfoss:
- Take Ring Road 1, go east, and continue past Selfoss until you can turn left on Road 30.
- Follow Road 30 until you reach the town of Fludir where you take a right to Road 344.
- From there, drive past Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast and head towards the Hruni church.
- Continue past the church and take a right on the first gravel road you see. This road will lead you to the Hrunalaug Hot Spring parking area.
The other way to do this is to drive the Golden Circle via Thingvellir National Park and either end your day in Fludir and do the hot spring early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Join a Tour
Despite the serene experience you can have at Hrunalaug Hot Spring, there aren’t that many guided tours going here. This is partly because the pools are not large enough to accommodate big crowds, so most tours will opt for larger hot springs along the Golden Circle.
What to Expect at Hrunalaug Hot Spring
Armed with a towel and swimwear, you’re ready to have a dip in the serene pools in the Icelandic lowlands. When you arrive, you will be met with a service house at the parking lot that offers restroom facilities.
At the pools, there are two temporary huts in place to accommodate those who want to change into their swimwear in private. There are also towels for rent at the small shop offering coffee, sodas, and some snacks for purchase.
The opening hours vary depending on the season:
- Summer in Iceland between May 1st – August 31st the spring is open from 9 am to 11 pm.
- Fall and spring between September 1st – October 31st, and March 15th – April 30th it’s open from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Winter between November 1st and March 14th it’s open between 10 am and 8 pm.
It used to be open 24 hours a day, year-round, but due to safety concerns, it had to close at night.
To enter, you pay 2,500 ISK (+/- $15) if you’re over 16 years old, 1,500 ISK (+/- $11) if you’re between 12 and 16 years old, and it’s free for all kids under 12 years old. All payments can be made by either card or cash.
When it comes to pools, there are currently three at Hrunalaug Hot Spring:
Laundry
This is the original pool built in 1890 by the farmer who lived there at the time. The sides are overgrown by moss and grass and provide a little shelter when the wind howls.
Sheep
As the name suggests, this part of the spring was built for the sheep. The grandson of the farmer who built the first one constructed this part of the Hrunalaug Hot Spring to bathe the sheep and keep them from getting any skin conditions. This practice ended in 1980, though, so you don’t have to worry about bathing in sheep water.
Tourists
The largest of the pools was built in 2017 as the current owners saw a need for a larger pool. The local and international visitors started coming in larger numbers, so the current owner decided to construct this pool to create a space that would comfortably fit up to 7 people.
Where to Stay Close to Hrunalaug Hot Spring
Despite the Hrunalaug Hot Spring being a little bit off the beaten path, there are a couple of accommodation options to choose from:
- The Hill Hotel in Fludir – the more expensive and luxurious option.
- Guesthouse Fludir – the budget-friendly option if you don’t want to camp.
- Fludir Camping – the most budget-friendly option that puts you close to nature and allows you to park your campervan with electricity, wastewater disposal, and all the amenities you need.
Have a Soak in the Hrunalaug Hot Spring
When visiting Iceland, it’s almost a rule that you need to experience one of the many hot springs. Making a stop along the Golden Circle to have a well-needed soak is a great way of doing this. The serene nature and surroundings are good for both body and soul, so rent a camper in Iceland and start your adventure!
