Reykjadalur Hot Springs | Your Guide to this Popular Hike

The hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs is a very popular hike. The trailhead is close to a small town called Hveragerði, which is located about 40 km/25 mi from Reykjavík. What makes this one so popular is the warm river at the end of the trail. A river you can actually bathe in. Pretty cool, right?

It‘s important to note that as this is a very popular hike, you should expect it to be a bit crowded in the river. Especially during the summer months.

The Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs in a Nutshell

• The hike is about 6 km/ 3.7 mi round trip
• The elevation is about 320 m/ 1050 ft
• It’s uphill most of the way to the hot springs were you can bathe
• The terrain is mostly pretty good but can get very muddy in spring and rainy weather
• It‘s important to realize that the hike is longer and more difficult than many expect. I have noticed the times I’ve been on this trail that some people are not dressed for the occasion. Look like they planned to walk a few hundred meters/thousand feet with their towel, instead of a few kilometers/miles uphill.

But please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying it’s a very tough one. Just take note of the length and the elevation so you know what to expect 😊

The facilities by the hot springs in Reykjadalur

There are no dressing rooms

Bathing in the hot springs is a pretty authentic experience. There are no showers or real dressing rooms by the river. Only some wooden “changing walls” in a few places that help you get a little privacy while changing to or from your bathing suit. The emphasis here is on little, so you might need some help from a fellow hiker if you think you are too exposed. Get him/her to “close the door” by holding up a towel for you

There is no personnel on site

Just like at Seljavallalaug, the beautifully located old swimming pool on the south coast, there is no personnel on site, looking after the place. That means there is no one to pick up after you. So please take everything you bring to the river, back with you.

As there are no dressing rooms in Reykjadalur, things can get a bit messy with clothes and towels lying all over the place. So just make sure you have all your things before you hike back to your car. Let’s help each other keep the area tidy and welcoming to everybody who comes to visit this unique place.

There are no restrooms by the hot springs in Reykjadalur

This one is very important! As there are no restrooms by the hot springs / warm river you need to make sure to use the ones that are located at the parking lot by the trailhead before you start your hike.

How to get there?

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. It’s possible to take a bus from Reykjavík to Hveragerði but it’s about 4 km/2.5 mi walk from the bus stop to the trailhead so it’s not especially practical.

The trailhead is about 40 km/25 mi from Reykjavík. Search for “Car park for thermal river” on google maps. Then you can‘t go wrong.

Parking in Reykjadalur

Recently the parking lot by the trailhead was made much bigger and better. That also means you now need to pay for parking. The parking fee also gives you access to the restroom facilities on site.

This is how the price structure looked like in 2024:

• 0-15 min Free
• 15-60 min 200 ISK
• Each hours after 60 min 250 ISK

Last time I did the hike, I was parked for 2 and half hours and it cost me 795 ISK. 

In 2021 a small café called Café Reykjadalur / Reykjadalur Lodge was opened by the trailhead. The opening hours vary depending on the season. You can see when they’re open on their Facebook site:

Reykjadalur Lodge opening hours

Reykjadalur doesn’t need to be the end point for your hike

Even though I said in the beginning that the warm river is at the end of the trail, that isn’t true. Not exactly. It’s true that 99% of people who do this hike turn around by the river but the trail doesn’t end there.

The hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs is only a small part of a large net of hiking trails in an area called Hengilsvæðið or Hengill Area. That area is a mountain area which not many visitors are aware of.

Here you’ll find beautifully rough nature. Varied mountains and cliffs. Lakes, craters and both warm and cold streams. As the area is a high-temperature geothermal area you’ll also find some spots with hot springs and boiling mud pots. A truly diverse and fascinating hiking area.

If you’re interested in exploring this area you’ll find a map of the hiking trails here:

A map of the hiking trails in the Hengill Area

More Hiking Trail Ideas

If you like hiking, make sure to also check out these beautiful hikes around Reykjavík and on the south coast

• The waterfall trail above Skógafoss Waterfall
• Múlagljúfur
• Stakkholtsgjá
• Glymur
• Búrfellsgjá

Well, that’s it for now. If you liked this post and think some of your friends might be interested in reading it too, please help me spread the word. I’d really appreciate it if you’d share it on social media or just send it directly to a friend.

Until next time!