Seljavallalaug Hot Spring – Iceland

Seljavallalaug Hot Spring is found in the foothills of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull Volcano – you know the one that erupted and shutdown air traffic for days in 2010! The best thing about Seljavallalaug Hot Spring is that it’s hidden, off-the-beaten-path and completely free! It is rising in popularity, but even in the peak summer season we only saw four people there. While it isn’t as glamorous as the Blue Lagoon and other spa experiences – in fact it’s not a spa experience at all, you can’t beat the location of this pool. It requires a short hike, but that’s just part of the magic of it. It’s just off of the Ring Road, so it makes a great pitstop for anyone doing that road trip or someone just taking a road trip along the southern coast of Iceland. This is one of the many attractions that gives Iceland the nickname of “The Land of Fire and Ice”.

SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING – QUICK INFO

WHERE IS SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING? Seljavallalaug Hot Spring is located just off of Route 1 – the famous Ring Road. From Route 1, you turn onto Raufarfellsvegur which come to a point that you’d have to turn to stay on it, but instead, you continue on to Seljavellir. Follow that until it v’s. Take the right v and you’ll be at the Seljavallalaug Hot Spring parking area. From here, you hike to the geothermal swimming pool!
HOW LONG IS THE HIKE? 2 miles roundtrip, out and back.
HOW FAR IS THIS FROM REYKJAVIK? This is a two hour drive from Reykjavik.

DON’T FORGET TO PACK…

These items could be useful for your hike to Seljavallalaug Hot Spring.

ABOUT SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING

Seljavallalaug is a pool filled with naturally hot water from a geothermal spring that runs nearby. The pool was built in 1923 and is now maintained by a group of local volunteers who work together to clean the pool every so often. Because it’s maintained by volunteers it isn’t consistently cleaned, and the water is just pure, natural spring water. I’ve only read one account of someone thinking they got a skin rash from the pool in my research. However, know that you enter at your own risk. That goes for lifeguards as well. The pool has a very basic changing room. No shower, but a private place to change, which is nice.

GETTING TO SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING

To get to Seljavallalaug Hot Spring it requires a one mile hike, each way. The trailhead is just a gravel parking area. Be careful getting there because while it’s not an F Road, it would be easy to get stuck or pop a tire if you go a little too crazy. Off of Route 1, you take the small road, 242. This makes a bit of a square horseshoe shape. At the western corner, the road splits and you take the small, unpaved road.

Once you’ve arrived to the parking area, it’s a very straightforward hike. You just go straight back across the lava field. The pool sits on the left side of the stream, so it’s best to veer toward that side just to make it a little easier. The hike is very level, except for the very end, which has an ever-so-slight incline. It’s a hike that anyone could do. Plus, with a view like this to relax in, how could you not want to totally soak this up?

 

I’ve never seen a more spectacular view for a pool in my life. Morning is a fantastic time to go because the morning fog sits over the peaks of the mountains. The warm water is inviting and makes for a truly relaxing experience. That’s the perfect recipe for misty mountain magic, if you ask me. Don’t forget to look at travel insurance policies! We’ve experienced first-hand an accident on a simple easy hike and our World Nomads travel insurance policy helped keep us on the road.

OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING

   

⋙ SKOGAFOSS: Skogafoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in all of Iceland. This giant beauty of the south coast is a mere 10 minute drive from Seljavallalaug Hot Spring. It’s also free!
⋙ DRANGSHLIÐ: This is a simple roadside stop. Right beside the road is a large cliff, and built into the bottom are elf houses. They aren’t just something built to be a tourist stop, they’re rooted in Icelandic mythology. Show respect for the private property this is located on.
⋙ SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL GLACIER: This glacier is right down from Skogafoss and still a very short drive from here. You can walk up to the glacier on your own, for free. However, if you plan to hike on the glacier, always do that with a guide.
⋙ VIK/REYNISFJARA: Although this is a bit more of a drive, it’s still extremely close to Seljavallalaug Hot Spring and well worth a visit. Plus, like all the things in this post, it’s free!

WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR OWN SELJAVALLALAUG HOT SPRING // SOUTHERN ICELAND ADVENTURE

Rauðafell 1: While it’s possible to do all of this from Reykjavik, I highly recommend staying in this area for at least one night. We stayed in this rural house that sits between Seljavallalaug Hot Spring and Skogafoss. The setting is completely unreal and it’s super cozy inside. The rooms are private, but they all share bathrooms and a kitchen. The lovely owners provide a super yummy breakfast as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay.

BOOK YOUR OWN STAY NOW

Did You Enjoy This Post? PIN IT So Others Can Too!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book a room with Booking.com, a travel insurance policy with World Nomads, product with Amazon.com or a tour with GetYourGuide.com through For the Love of Wanderlust, you will help me stay on the road + keep my site running at no additional cost for you.

Be sure to read the terms + conditions of these sites when booking or purchasing policies or products.