Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River: Everything You Need to Know

A day trip to the Reykjadalur hot spring is the perfect excursion for any adventurous traveler. 

With rolling green hills and pockets of steam coming up from the ground, you’ll be tempted to frequently stop as you soak in these postcard-perfect views.

This is what we travel to Iceland for after all, isn’t it?  And as if it couldn’t get any better, small waterfalls seem to meet you around every corner too.

Located just 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, this hiking spot makes for a great day trip on your Iceland itinerary. And to follow it up, keep reading to learn where you can get the most delicious pizza post hike.

How to get to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring

Renting a car is easy in Iceland, and is the best way to get to this hiking spot for a day. Simply follow Route 1 (Ring Road) toward the town of Hveragerdi.

Google maps brought us right to the parking lot at the base of the trailhead. 

During our stay in Iceland, we found Europcar easy and convenient to use. They have a location right at the Keflavík International Airport, and a second location closer to Reykjavik’s city center.

If you are traveling during the winter months, you’ll want to rent a car with 4 wheel drive, as there will be snow, ice, and rain…and wind- lots of wind. 

Alternatively, tours can be booked in conjunction with your hike for an extra special experience. Such as this tour that includes the hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs and a visit to a lava cave, 

Hiking up to the hot spring 

During your hike, you’ll get to witness the incredible geothermal activity Iceland is known for, drawing millions the tourists each year. 

But there are a few things to be aware of to make for a safe experience.

Thermal activity is amazing to see. But, keep in mind that activity also means boiling water at extremely hot- not suitable for contact- temperatures.

As you make your way up to the hot spring, don’t mistake the steam pools along the trail for the thermal river at your final destination.

Most of the thermal pools are well marked with signs to note the temperature of the water.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at the Reykjadalur Hot Springs when you see the wooden slatted path, leading you directly over and beside the river.

During your hike, it’s best to stick to the marked trail and (for obvious reasons ) don’t touch the steamy water with warning signs.

Beyond that, enjoy your time on the trail. Keep a lookout for one of the best highlights of the hike- natural spring water that’s completely safe to drink!

While in Iceland, you’ll have the chance to taste the freshest water in the world- even right from the tap. 

Consider bringing an empty water bottle with you, and filling it up with fresh natural spring water. 

How long does the hike take?

In total, your hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs will take about 3-4  hours. Our timeline for the hike looked like this:

It took us roughly an hour to get from the parking lot to the hot springs. We then spent about an hour soaking in the thermal river. And, although we didn’t want to leave, we ventured back down to the car- which took 45 minutes

Of course, depending on the weather and crowds, your time ar the hot spring will vary.

No matter how long you plan to stay, get to the parking lot early. I recommend getting to the parking area by 9 am to avoid the crowds.

We did this hike in mid-October, which begins the off-season in Iceland. We started our journey to the hot spring closer to 10:00 am, and had most of the trail to ourselves, with a few people passing by every 20 minutes or so.

I can’t speak for crowds during the high season of June through September, but early arrival always yields fewer crowds.

Is the hike difficult?

The first half of the hike is a steady incline up, and then it begins to level off. As a few non-experienced hikers, we found the trail to be moderate in terms of difficulty. 

The trail is well marked. But there are areas of loose gravel, narrow pathways, small rocks to climb over, and no guardrails.

As you get closer to the hot springs,  the views are more breathtaking than the last. 

What to bring on your thermal river hike

Famously, weather in Iceland is known to be unpredictable and can quickly change conditions. To make the most out of your hike, there are a few essentials you’ll want to bring. 

Hiking boots or sneakers with good traction will be ideal for the hike up to the thermal river. A light, wind-resistant, rain jacket will serve you well for any headwinds you’ll (most likely) face. 

Bring a towel to dry off after your dip in the hot springs, and a plastic bag to store your wet clothes. 

Lastly, don’t forget a water bottle to sample that natural cold spring water on your way up to the hot spring. 

What to expect when you arrive at the Reykjadalur Hot Spring

There is a part of the hike where you can start to see the steam coming from the thermal baths. Then, when you start to walk on the wooden pathway, you’re almost there. 

Like many European thermal bathing areas, clothing at the Reykjadalur Hot Spring is optional. The changing areas also do not provide much in the way of privacy.

The temperature of the hot spring will vary depending on the time of year. The further upstream you go, the warmer the water will be.

To be on the safe side, I’d recommend dipping your toe in to test out the water before fully hopping in. 

Where to eat after your hike: Iceland’s best pizza

For a great post-meal, head to Olverk Pizza in Hveragerdi. 

It’s a quick 10-minute drive away from the hot springs and serves as the perfect food after your 4 hour journey. 

In addition to your usual sauce and cheese toppings, Olverk offers quite a few unique combinations. 

For the perfect combo of sweet and savory, give #17 a try with sauce, cheese, duck confit, blue cheese, beer-fig jam, walnuts, parsley, and black pepper 

And for dessert,  enjoy a pizza topped with Nutella, bananas, freeze dried strawberries, and marshmallows.  

For a more traditional meal, try out the Danish smørrebrød, or an open-face sandwich at Matkráin in Hveragerdi.

Rye bread is topped with a variety of fixings such as smoked salmon or trout, eggs, greens, and mayonnaise. 

There is also Bonus, a popular grocery store chain in Iceland if you’re in need of snacks for your drive back to Reykjavik 

Where to stay near the Reykjadalur Hot Spring

Iceland is not short of incredible places to stay. From chic apartments in Reykevik’s city center to glasshouses in open fields, you are sure to find something to suit your needs. 

But there is one place, in particular, that serves up everything your adventurous heart desires, and that’s the Frost and Fire hotel. 

The Frost and Fire Hotel is a quick 9 minute drive away from the parking area at the Reykjadalur Hot Spring. 

The hotel is nestled along a river, at the base of Iceland’s natural terrain.

Complete with hot tubs, filled with natural thermal river water- you’ll feel like you’ve stepped off the hiking trail and into (another) a postcard. 

No matter if you choose to stay in Reykjavik and take a day trip, or spend time soaking in the natural beauty around Hjvardi- a trip to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring makes for an idyllic adventure during your time in Iceland.