Iceland’s Reykjadalur Hot Springs in Winter: Everything you need to know [2024]
Winter is definitely one of the best times to visit Reykjadalur Hot Springs. Not only is it magical to bathe in a geothermal river whilst being surrounded by snowy mountains, but you’ll get the whole place to yourself. Keep reading for our guide to the Reykjadalur hot springs in winter, including how to get there, hiking directions, top tips, and more.
Iceland is well known for its natural hot springs, but the town of Hveragerði particularly so. With its name, hver, meaning ‘hot spring’ in Icelandic, Hveragerði is a great location to begin exploring Iceland’s geothermal waters.
Just 3.6km north of the town the Hveragerði National Park is home to the Reykjadalur geothermal river. With the name meaning ‘steam valley’, the river is a popular area for locals and tourists alike. The water is blissfully warm, the mountain views are incredible, and, unlike many hot springs in Iceland, it’s 100% free to visit.
The Reykjadalur hot springs in winter are even better. During spring, summer and autumn, there would be at least few dozen people. But in winter, you’ll be able to submerge yourself in steaming hot waters, surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks, and most likely, you’ll be completely alone.
But, there’s a catch. To enjoy the warm waters of the Reykjadalur hot springs, you have to hike for it.
This was hands-down one of the best parts of our Iceland trip. Not only was it free, but we could enjoy what felt like the ‘real’ Iceland. Away from the tourist crowds, with their selfie sticks and video cameras, we felt like we could catch our breath for a moment.
We loved this hike and we want you to as well. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs hike in winter
Sun coming up over the hills at around 10am
HOW TO GET TO TO THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS IN WINTER
KEY INFORMATION
Distance: 3.7km (2.2 miles) one way, 7.4 km (4.4 miles) round total
Estimated time: 1 to 1.5h hiking one way, 3 to 4 hours total (including swimming time)
Cost: Hot springs free. Parking 250 ISK per hour.
DIRECTIONS
The Hveragerði geothermal river is just 45 km from Reykjavik. The Þjóðvegur 1 is usually in good condition in the south west, and it takes around 30 minutes by car. takes just over 30 minutes to arrive by car in Hveragerði, even in the wintertime.
Follow signs to Hveragerði and turn left at the roundabout onto Breiðamörk. Follow the road for another five minutes until it ends. You’ll arrive at a trail parking lot with a few facilities. There are no facilities on the hike, so if you need to use the bathroom or grab a snack, this is your last opportunity.
You have to pay for the car park, but don’t worry about parking charges. The cameras will clock your car registration plate on the way in and you’ll be charged accordingly. Just make sure to register your car on the app, or at the machine next to the cafe. It’s ~250 Króna per hour (£1.50 / $1.80 USD) but the actual hot springs are free to visit! We thought that was a pretty good deal.
BEFORE HIKING TO THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS IN WINTER…
Park your car and get geared up. When we hiked to Reykjadalur Hot Springs the temperature was -10°C (14°F). We wore a thermal layer, a normal layer, and a waterproof layer, plus microspikes on our hiking boots.
From there, just follow the signs to the hiking trail.
Before you start the hike:
- Check the time. The sun sets early in the winter (around 3pm to 4pm) and you don’t want to walk back in the dark without a headlamp and map. When everything is covered in snow, it’s easy to get lost.
- Know the weather forecast. Check the Iceland Meteorological Office or download the Veður app for your phone. The route is popular and gets enough traffic during winter that you can see the trail, but we still don’t recommend hiking in a blizzard.
- Make sure you’re prepared. This is an easy to medium difficulty hike but if you are not used to winter hiking, do your research. Make sure you have microspikes for your boots, and enough snacks/hot drinks for a chilly 4+ hours outside.
- Understand your limits. If you feel uncomfortable, turn around. Use your common sense. Some hikers have said they had to crawl to get across at some points. If you can’t walk it, don’t crawl it.
Happy to have such a beautiful sunrise and clear skies on the hike
HIKING TO THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS: DIRECTIONS
It takes ~1.5 hours to get to the hot pools in winter. This includes lots of stops to take photos and admire the views.
Head to the right, round the side of the café. There’s a board with a route map, which you can take a picture of. Walk over the small wooden bridge, through a gate, then follow the signposts. These are wooden to start with, turning to metal poles with a yellow tip. You can also download maps.me for a fairly accurate hiking route with GPS.
The trail winds steadily upwards following the river Reykjadalsa in the valley below. It’s not a difficult or strenuous hike but can be a little slippery in places, so be careful. It’s well signposted and unless there’s been fresh snow, you should be able to see the trail of people before you. If you’re early enough, the sunrise will splash pink hues across the snowy hills for an hour before finally rising. Enjoy the views and take lots of photographs!
Halfway through the hike, you’ll pass Djúpagilsfoss, a fairly big waterfall. After this, the trail opens out into a gorgeous valley. In the distance, you’ll start to see steam billowing out of vents that dot the mountainside.
Eventually the path will meet the river. You’ll cross past a metal sheep pen and over a small bridge. Keep following the signposts. Eventually, you’ll reach a relatively modern wooden boardwalk with small changing areas. Be careful walking here. The steam freezes, and the boardwalk can be quite slippery.
Congratulations, you made it to the Reykjadalur hot springs!
Midway through the hike
ENJOYING THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS IN WINTER
When you get to the hot springs, you can dip your hand in to find a temperature that’s comfortable for you. The further upstream you walk, the hotter the water gets. You can easily regulate the temperature to your liking by moving up or down the current.
On the chilly winter day that we visited, the only acceptable spot for us was the warmest! There’s a perfect little pool at the top, as far as you can go before passing the ‘do not enter’ sign! The hardest part of the trail is getting butt-naked before jumping into the deliciously hot water. There are shelters to get changed behind for modesty, but they’re still exposed to the elements.
With the outdoor air a crisp -7°C or so, the geothermal waters felt blissfully warm. Bathing between snowy mountains in a river with a temperature of around 45°C was surreal. It was like getting into a bath where the temperature was just perfect. When we got too hot, we rolled in the snow before jumping back in.
Getting out and getting changed was the worst part, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Your body soon warms up again once you start hiking the trail back!
Changing facilities once you arrive to the Reykjadalur hot springs in winter
GENERAL ADVICE FOR THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS HIKE IN WINTER
#1 GO EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER
Start on the hike early. As early as you can. It may be a 45-minute to an-hour hike in the summer. But it’s closer to 1.5 hours in the winter and you’ll want to give yourself enough time to enjoy it without stress.
If you start early, you’ll also get the added bonus of not having to fight for the warmest bathing spots. We left the car park just after 9am and soaked up the scenery for at least an hour, completely alone. Around 20 mins into the return hike, we started bumping into large groups, and when we got back the car park was much busier.
#2 DRESS APPROPRIATELY
Winter is cold, and Icelandic winters in the mountains are particularly so. Wear thermals underneath your clothes and dress in layers. Waterproof trousers help keep your legs warm against any wind chill.
Proper hiking boots are also a must. Some blog posts say you don’t need microspikes and/or hiking poles, but we disagree Even with a fresh coat of snow the trail is icy and slippery in places. People were turning back 15-20 minutes into the hike after realising they were underprepared.
#3 BRING A TOWEL, FLIP-FLOPS AND A PLASTIC BAG
Getting changed out of a wet swimsuit isn’t comfortable. Neither is having wet clothes in your back from said swimsuit. Bring a plastic bag for sticking your swimwear in after the hike.
You might also want to bring flip-flops. The floor of the river is rocky, and walking on the snow to get in can be uncomfortable. Flipflops will enhance the experience.
Top tip: Don’t store your clothing items to close to the river. They’ll get wet from the steam and start to freeze. Not fun! Your hair might also freeze from the steam too, wear a hat if you’re worried about this.
Steamy!
FAQs
CAN YOU SWIM IN REYKJADALUR?
Yes! Many people hike to Reykjadalur to enjoy its natural hot springs and to bathe in the warm water.
IS SWIMMING IN ICELAND COLD?
Not all of the rivers are geothermal. Some rivers will be very cold, and may even be covered in ice, or have ice floating in them. It’s always important to test the temperature of any water with your hand before jumping in.
WHAT IS THE WATER TEMPERATURE IN REYKJADALUR HOT SPRING IN WINTER?
The water temperature in Reykjadalur hot spring is the same year-round. It ranges from around 38°C to 45°C (100°F to 113°F). Some areas of the river may have cooler or hotter spots, so it’s essential to test the water temperature before hopping in!
HOW LONG IS THE HIKE TO REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS IN WINTER?
It’s around 1 to 1.5 hours one way, and 2 to 3 hours return. You’ll want to leave time to bathe too, so make that 3 to 4 hours.
CAN I HIKE TO REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS WITHOUT A GUIDE?
You sure can! The trail to Reykjadalur is well-marked and relatively easy to follow. Just make sure you’re prepared with the correct gear and maps. Check the weather and give yourself enough time to be back before dark.
SHOULD YOU SKIP THE GOLDEN CIRCLE TO DO THE REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS HIKE?
Honestly, yes. The Golden Circle is lovely, but there were far too many people there for our tastes! Bathing in a natural warm river between snowy peaks under a pink sky was bliss, and exactly how I wanted to spend our first day in Iceland.
Geysers, volcanic craters, and waterfalls weren’t particularly novel to us after our travels through Central and South America last year. That said, if these are things you haven’t experienced often, the Golden Circle will be a lot of fun.
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Alice
Alice is a UK travel blogger who advocates sustainable travel and being more eco-conscious on a budget. She loves coffee, her houseplants and summiting mountains.
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