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Reykjadalur: The Hot Spring Thermal River in Iceland

14-08-2024

Reykjadalur

    Iceland is known for its many amazing wonders. Hiking in nature and swimming in geothermal springs are two of the most appreciated activities in this country. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is the place to go if you want to hit two birds with one stone.

    This geothermal area is close to the capital and still provides amazing views and natural experiences. In this article, we swim in the river of knowledge and uncover everything there is to know about the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.

    What is the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River?

    If you have learned a little bit of Icelandic and the names of different places, you have probably figured out that just like “Reykjavik” means “Smoky Bay”, “Reykjadalur” means “Smoky Valley”. Despite this, there is no natural smoke along this river, only steam. Like with Reykjavik, early settlers saw Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River and thought it was filled with smoke before they figured out it was steam.

    As the name suggests, Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is not your average Icelandic warm bath. It has a long river that goes from very warm to very cold, allowing you to choose exactly which temperature you want along the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. There is a specific stretch along the river that is the perfect zone for most people which has been developed by the owners to accommodate visitors.  

    Person bathing in the Reykjadalur hot spring in Iceland, surrounded by mist and mountains, with a wooden boardwalk in the foreground.

    The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Hike

    Icelanders love to hike, but that’s not why you have to hike here. The “Goldilocks” temperature is roughly 3 kilometers up the river from the parking lot, so it requires a little bit of effort. Luckily, the hiking trail from the parking lot to the built-out part of the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River won’t require you to bring any serious hiking equipment.

    The path to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is actually quite easy to walk. It’s more of a promenade than a hike in some areas. Just make sure to bring shoes and not walk in your bathing slippers.

    Person with a backpack and a red beanie hiking towards the Reykjadalur hot springs in Iceland, with people bathing in the background

    The History of Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

    Iceland is one big bubbly pot of volcanic activity, and this activity will happily be showing its face all over the island. Most geothermal areas like the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River are close to the continental rift that Iceland is created from. The underground magma from the Rift heats up the underground water reservoirs. These eventually bubble up on the surface in the form of hot springs.

    Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is part of one of Iceland’s largest geothermal areas and the main source of power for the nearby town of Hveragerði. This has always been a popular spot amongst the locals, but as it grew in popularity with international visitors, the boardwalk was built. This serves two purposes:

    • It helps people get in and out of the river.
    • It highlights the part of the river that is nice and safe to swim in.

    The locals have had a pretty good understanding of when and where you can use the myriads of hot springs in the Reykjadalur Valley safely. As more visitors started coming, it became a matter of safety to have signs and pathways made to ensure that no one got hurt. That’s why you will, along the hike, see plenty of signs in the area. Some will warn you from dipping a toe in the hot water and mud pools, and others will tell you where to find certain attractions.

    People bathing in the Reykjadalur hot springs in Iceland, surrounded by snowy mountains and a wooden boardwalk.

    Where is the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River?

    On a shy 35-minute drive from the capital, Reykjadalur sits in the southwestern part of Iceland, just on the border between the Icelandic Highlands and Lowlands. The Reykjadalur Thermal Bathing Pools are just north of the town of Hveragerði, so you will have all the services you need for a road trip.

    The closeness to the capital is partly what has made this area so popular. With incredibly simple directions and being only 45 minutes away, this is a popular spot for a day out from Reykjavik.

    How to get to Reykjadalur

    There are three ways for you to reach the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River: bus, rental car, and guided tour.

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    Take the Bus

    If you’re enjoying all the things the capital has to offer, making a budget-friendly excursion to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is easy. From the Mjódd Bus Stop at Alfabakki, get on Bus 51 towards Selfoss and get off at Hveragerði. This trip will take you just under 40 minutes if everything goes according to the schedule.

    Mjódd Bus Stop is close to the outskirts of Reykjavik, so remember to take a bus going there first and add that to your traveling time. Mjódd is also one of the main bus stations in Reykjavik, so there are plenty of bus routes going there.

    Drive Yourself

    Would you like to read the absolute easiest driving directions of your life? Driving to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is as easy as pie. From Reykjavik, all you have to do is get on the Ring Road and head east. Continue east on the Ring Road for about 40 minutes and you’ll end up in Hveragerði. From there, you just head north inside the town to find the parking lot that starts your journey to the Reykjadalur Thermal River.

    Join a Tour

    Since Reykjadalur is so close to the capital, it’s part of many guided tours of the area. Many will have the thermal river as the focal point of their tour, while others have it as one of many stops along a longer route. Some will be as a day tour, and others have it at either the beginning or end of a tour of the Icelandic South Coast.

    What to Expect at Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

    When you’ve made your way to the parking lot in Hveragerði, there are four main parts to the visit that you need to keep in mind:

    The Parking

    As you roll into the parking lot from your journey, you first need to check the prices for parking in the area. Unless you drive a bus with more than 20 passengers, the prices are reasonable for parking. If you only stay there for 15 minutes or less for a quick coffee, it’s completely free.

    For the ones who are only doing a quick little hike around the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River area and manage to do it in under 60 minutes, the parking cost is 200 ISK / €1.33 / $1.45. For every hour after that another 250 ISK / €1.67 / $1.82 is added to your parking cost. This can be paid for either using the EasyPark app (there’s free Wi-Fi at the Reykjadalur Café) or by cash or card in the machine.

    If you plan on parking in many public areas in Iceland, installing the EasyPark app can save you a lot of time and effort. It’s used in most parts of Reykjavik and any large or busy town. The parking fee includes access to restrooms and facilities. Make sure to use them since there aren’t any on the hike to the river.

    The Hike

    As you start your journey to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River, it’s worth doing a double-check to see if you brought everything with you. There won’t be any towel rentals or anything at the top, and you don’t want to spend another hour walking back and forth if you forget something in the car. It’s also important to remember drinks and snacks. Treat this like a hike and not a visit to the beach.

    The hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River is a well-kept path that is kept so well in some places that steel mesh is put down to keep the ground in good shape. Some stretches of the path will be just a meter or so wide, but most will be wide enough to comfortably fit a couple of people walking next to each other. The only thing that might take a little bit of a tool on your way to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is that it is uphill most of the time.

    Since this is a popular area, some horses will be using the hiking paths too. You will know this because even though the horses themselves are not always present, they will leave yesterday’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner along the way. Often, the people in charge of the horse tours will either stick to the sides or make use of other trails in the area, but you will spot a couple of horse poop towers along your hike in any way.

    The Bath

    Once you’ve made it to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River, you must continue along the boardwalk next to the river and feel the water. When you find the sweet spot for you, you can use any of the three changing areas along the boardwalk.

    The changing areas are built as plus signs without a roof. They’re only there to give you some privacy when changing and are not completely covered. Keep that in mind as you change in and out of your swimwear.

    As you enjoy the waters, remember to take the opportunity to move up and down the river a bit. The change in water temperature is real and it’s worth taking the time to explore the different parts of the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.

    Some etiquette for visitors:

    • This is a shallow river and not a swimming pool. Don’t jump in it – you will get hurt.
    • Talking and joking is all fair and game, but playing loud music and trying to start a party is frowned upon.
    • Pick up your trash and leave it in the nearest trash bin.
    • Stay on the paths and don’t disturb the moss.

    The Return

    Once you feel like you are all done with your swim, it’s time to head back. Even though the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a nice and toasty experience, getting out of the water will not be. Even though you will be a little protected by the sides of the valley, the wind will get you. It will feel like a large hairdryer, only the air is cold, and you won’t dry very fast.

    Be quick to the changing area if you’re uncomfortable with cold and remember to dry yourself completely before putting your clothes back on. It might feel like it's no big deal if you’re a little wet, but you must keep in mind that you have a 3-kilometer-long Icelandic hike to get through before you’re back at the parking lot. Doing that with a little bit of damp clothing is not a clever move.

    Before the hike back, it’s not a bad idea to eat and drink a bit. It helps to get a little bit of energy and liquids in you to make the hike easier.

    How Crowded is the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River?

    The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is usually not crowded at all. The length of the river and the many activities close by are enough to take on a large crowd without clogging the trails or activities. The long hike to the thermal river also works in our favor since not many are ready to walk for 3 kilometers uphill in nature, not even for this amazing view.

    When is the Best Time to Visit Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River?

    There is no bad time of the year to visit the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River in Iceland, so it depends 100% on you. Most people want to visit in the summer when the weather is calm, and you have the most daylight hours. The adventurous few come in the winter when the weather and time work against them. Since the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is open all year, all hours of the day, everyone is free to choose for themselves.

    The summer in Iceland is a favorite for most activities. With many daylight hours and (relatively) warm weather, the summer will suit most visitors the best. This time of year, you will also be able to do most hikes and activities in the surrounding areas, spotting birds, plants, and the occasional sheep grazing the slopes of the valley.

    If you want to experience the winter in Iceland, a visit to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is an amazing addition to your journey. If you prepare well enough and are not too bothered with being cold for the brief moments you go in and out of the water, this will be a treat. In the winter, you can get the opportunity to lie in the river and see the Northern Lights dance over you. Just remember that the hike will take much longer in the winter.

    Reykjadalur in winter

    If you travel on a budget and want to explore Iceland in the shoulder seasons, the trail will very likely be muddy and hard to walk. Luckily, a couple of sturdy hiking boots will make it an easy feat. They will also help you on your other outdoor adventures in Iceland. The thermal river will be just as nice and warm as any other time of year, but just remember to bring a waterproof bag or plastic bag to keep your things dry in the inevitable rain and wind.

    Other Things to Do in Reykjadalur Valley

    There is more to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River than just having a nice bath. The area is a popular recreational area among the locals, and they have put considerable resources and effort into making it what it is today. As Icelanders, they want to share this with visitors (as long as the visitors are respectful of their home) and are very creative in finding ways to do so:

    Zip Line

    If you’re visiting Iceland to get a taste of adventure, you can always check out the Mega Zipline at the base of the trail for Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. This is a 1-kilometer-long zipline that allows you to choose between flying down the valley side in a seated harness or headfirst – like a falcon. You start from the Kambar Plateau next to Hveragerði and end next to the parking lot at the trail. The highest recorded speed is 100km/h!

    Hiking Trails

    This might come as a surprise, but the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River hike doesn’t exclusively go to the spots where you can swim. Many hiking trails in the area will allow you to explore not only the rivers, but also stunning waterfalls, bubbling mud pits, and colorful hot pools.

    Many hot pools in the Reykjadalur Valley look inviting but are hot enough to boil eggs. It’s very important to check the signs in the area and not jump into anything that you’re not 100% sure will not boil you alive. When in doubt: stay on the trail and explore with your eyes instead of your entire body.

    Exploration from Horseback

    If you haven’t explored any part of Iceland without sitting on the back of an Icelandic Horse, we invite you to reconsider your choices in life. Slowly moving along the harsh landscape of Iceland from the back of the same mode of transport that the Vikings had is a special feeling. These calm animals are used to the terrain and will take great care of you.

    Many horse trails in the Reykjadalur area are manned by local horse rentals and horse guides. If you’re not an avid horse rider with some knowledge, we recommend joining a tour.

    Bike Tours

    If you’re not in the mood for walking the trail or sitting on a horse, you can go on a biking adventure in the nearby canyons and mountain ridges. Icebike Adventures offers single-day tours as well as multi-day tours suitable for both newcomers and professionals. This way, you can work up a sweat before hitting the thermal river.

    Reykjadalur Valley

    Where to Stay Close to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

    Even if the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is close to the capital, the point of exploring Iceland must be to see new places. Here are some examples of places to stay nearby if you’d like to explore further:

    • Frost and Fire Boutique Hotel: a luxurious escape next to the thermal river on the outskirts of Hveragerði. At Frost and Fire, you will enjoy free breakfast, W-Fi, an en-suite bathroom, a private entrance, a sauna, hot tubs, a swimming pool, and access to the thermal river (that is cold this far down). Rooms start at 48,060 ISK / €321 / $350 per night during peak season.
    • The Greenhouse Hotel: a concept hotel that provides accommodation alongside shopping, drinks, and a food hall. The rooms start at 40,582 ISK / €271 / $295 per night in peak season.
    • Reykjadalur Guesthouse: a budget-friendly option if you want to sleep indoors. Here, you’ll get a private bathroom, kettle, and fridge in every room, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms start at 22,473 ISK / €150 / $163.25.
    • Reykjamörk Hveragerði Campsite: if you rather want to stay close to nature or make use of your motorhome, this campsite is a great option. It has waste disposal for mobile homes, electricity, toilets, washing services, showers, and cooking facilities. The prices start at 2,000 ISK / €13.35 / $14.50.

    Get Carried Away in the Stunning Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

    There is a myriad of natural hot springs in Iceland that are fun to explore and will give you memories that will last a lifetime. There is, however, only one proper thermal river. The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is one of those places in Iceland that you have to experience in person.

    If you are like us and want freedom and adventure on your holiday, there is no better way to achieve that than renting a Motorhome in Iceland. This way, the country is your oyster, and you can go pretty much wherever you want in the country without paying a fortune to sleep. 

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