Reykjadalur Hot Springs Thermal River: Everything You Need to Know

Are you planning on visiting the Reykjadalur hot springs? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking to Iceland’s famous thermal river.

Iceland is famous for its hot springs. In fact, that is one of the reasons we love it – the combination of hot geothermal pools, magnificent mountains, and glaciers – it truly is the land of fire and ice!

However, many of these pools are quite costly to visit (I’m looking at you, Blue Lagoon!), and while they might be a spot to tick off your bucket list, if you’re looking for something a little more low-key, we highly recommend checking out this gem.

Admittedly, a visit to Reykjadalur Hot Springs Thermal River is not as simple as rocking up with your towel. However, the hike is all part of the charm.

The scenery along the way is stunning, with deep valleys and waterfalls, and soaking in the warm water is just what you need after the walk.

So, if you’re planning on visiting this fantastic geothermal spot in southern Iceland, here’s exactly how to get there and everything you need to know.

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How to get to Reykjadalur Hot Springs?

Reykjadalur Hot Springs is located in the south of Iceland, about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik along the south coast, just before the city of Selfoss.

The easiest way to get there is by having your own car, as most tours of the south coast skip this spot completely. Luckily, the drive isn’t difficult and is accessible for any vehicle.

Once you’re outside of the capital, most of the drive is along Route 1 – the same route you’ll drive from Reykjavik to Vik. However, you’ll turn off at the roundabout at Hveragerði and continue for another 8 minutes from there.

If you’re driving the ring road or doing a south coast road trip, you’ll be passing by anyway, so it makes a great place to stop and stretch your legs.

Once you arrive at the car park, you’ll find a little cafe, toilets, a burger food truck (which, unfortunately, was closed when we visited), and several tour operators, including a huge zip line and a company that offers dirt biking.

Once you’ve paid for parking, which costs around 1000 ISK per car, and grabbed your rain jacket, it’s time to start the hike.

The stats

Overall, we would mark this route as moderate. There’s a bit of an incline, and it will take you around 45-60 minutes each way, but it’s definitely not the hardest hike we’ve done in Iceland.

Plus, the views are amazing, and the hot springs at the end are the cherry on top!

5.24 miles

1.5-2 hours

252 meters

Moderate

Map showing route to Reykjadalur Hot Springs with parking and trail details in Iceland.

The hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs

The trail begins just to the left of the cafe, where you’ll pass by the end of the zip line and cross a small bridge over a stream.

Person walking across a small wooden bridge over a river in a green, mountainous landscape.

Closed gate blocking a muddy trail in a green landscape with hills and cloudy sky.

From here, you’ll start hiking, and the trail starts going uphill. It’s actually quite deceiving and is a lot steeper than it looks, especially at the beginning.

Four hikers walk along a trail in a green valley with steaming geothermal vents and a mountain range in the background. — *You can see the first incline of the hike*

You’ll also pass a few steam vents on the left-hand side of the hiking path, which you can pause to look at. Honestly, Iceland’s landscapes will always amaze me!

People walking near steaming geothermal area in a green mountainous landscape in Iceland.

Continue up the trail. If you turn and look back over the valley, the views are already starting to become quite impressive.

Wide view of rolling green hills and a winding road in a remote landscape with distant sea and sky. — *The views over the valley after the first climb. You can just about make out the car park*

From there, you’ll continue to climb. The path starts to snake around the cliffs, and you’ll get the most incredible views into the valley below.

This was my favourite part of the hike, and I was stopping every few minutes to take photographs.

The rocky path up to Reykjadalur Hot Springs Thermal River

Hikers walking along a trail in a green, hilly landscape with volcanic terrain and distant mountains under a cloudy sky. — *The path snakes along the mountain. This was one of my favourite parts of the hike*

Winding dirt path along a volcanic landscape under cloudy sky in Iceland.

Person walking near a small waterfall in a green, hilly landscape with dark volcanic soil and cloudy sky.

You’ll also see a beautiful waterfall cascading off the hills and several viewpoints where you can admire it.

Small waterfall flowing through a rugged green valley with hills in the background. — *The beautiful waterfall you’ll see halfway along the trail*

From there, the route gets a little flatter. You’ll cross another small bridge and will begin to see the steam rising in the distance from the thermal river.

Hiker crossing a small wooden bridge over a stream in a lush green valley with mountains in the background.

Steam rises from geothermal hot springs on a grassy hillside in Iceland. — *You’ll start to see more steam vents up the hills, but you can’t reach them*

The path snaking it's way towards the hot springs

Keep going, and it won’t be long before you reach the beautiful Reykjadalur Hot Springs.

Bathing in the Thermal River

I’ll admit, before we did this hike, we were both a little nervous about this part.

Icelanders are known for being quite unashamed about changing in front of one another (if you’ve ever been to some of Iceland’s famous thermal lagoons, you’ll know this!).

However, as prude Brits, we weren’t sure about stripping in front of everyone.

People relaxing in the geothermal river with a wooden walkway in a green, hilly landscape in Iceland.

Luckily, there are spaces where you can change. These aren’t proper changing rooms and are more like wooden screens.

They’re also still quite open, but there’s more than enough room to wiggle into your swimming costume behind them.

Wooden outdoor shower area with signs prohibiting bathing and washing clothes, set in a grassy landscape with hills and a few. — *The panels which you can change behind*

From there, head down the steps and into the water. It’s a lovely temperature, and warmer the further upstream you go. It’s also completely free to swim here, which is nice considering how expensive Iceland can be!

People relaxing in hot springs along a river in a green valley with hills and steam rising from the water.

Also, considering we visited at the height of the summer solstice at the end of June, it wasn’t too crowded.

We weren’t alone there, but there were around 15 other people spread up and down the river, so it was quite easy to find a private spot to relax.

Steam rises from a hot spring river flowing through lush green fields in a mountainous landscape.

Then, once you’re done, hop back out of the water, change back into your hiking gear, and begin the walk back to the car park. The hike is an out-and-back trail, so you’ll simply need to head back the way you came.

TOP TIP: Watch your footing next to the hot springs, the ground can be slippery in places, and some spots of the spring can be very hot.

What to bring?

Iceland’s weather can be ever-changing, and, even in the summer months, you can experience all 4 seasons in one day.

During the hike, we had drizzle, followed by periods of heavy rain, and sun again, so we were very glad we came prepared.

Back view of a man in a black jacket overlooking a green valley and distant coastline under cloudy sky.

*The views halfway through the hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs*

We recommend bringing good hiking boots as the ground can be uneven and rocky in places. You’ll also need a waterproof rain jacket, a towel, and your swimming costume, as well as your usual hiking gear under your jacket.

It’s also a good idea to bring a waterproof bag for wet clothes, some snacks, and plenty of water. Oh, and you’ll 100% want your camera!

Is it worth hiking to Reykjadalur Hot Springs?

Yes, it’s 100% worth doing this hike if you’re exploring Iceland. It’s one of the best hikes we’ve done in Iceland to date, the scenery is amazing, and the river at the end is the cherry on top!

Reykjadalur Hot Springs is one of those unforgettable experiences that perfectly captures why we fell in love with Iceland: a steaming river winding through a rugged valley, surrounded by mountains and mossy hills.

While it takes a bit of effort to reach, the reward of soaking in a natural hot spring with breathtaking views all around is more than worth it.

Remember to stick to the paths, respect nature, and leave the area as you found it.

Happy hiking and enjoy your soak in one of Iceland’s true natural wonders!

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