Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Reykjadalur is a geothermal valley above the town of Hveragerði in South Iceland, where a naturally hot river is warm enough to bathe in. The valley lies within the Hengill volcanic system at roughly 64.0220° N, 21.2105° W, about 45 km southeast of Reykjavík. Reaching the bathing spot requires a hike of around 3 km each way; both the walk and bathing are free.
What Is Reykjadalur?
Reykjadalur, meaning "steam valley", is an active geothermal area where a warm river collects enough heat to bathe in safely. The valley sits on the western edge of the Hengill volcanic system, one of Iceland's most geothermally active regions. Steam vents, bubbling mud pots and the Djúpagilsfoss waterfall line the route up to the bathing section near Klambragil. One clarification worth making: the hot river is not the same as Reykjaböð Hot Springs, the new ticketed lagoon that opened on 5 September 2026 a few hundred metres from the trailhead car park - the river is free, natural and requires the hike; Reykjaböð is a developed bath at the valley mouth.
Where Is Reykjadalur And How Do You Get There?
Reykjadalur is reached from a trailhead car park about 2 km north of Hveragerði, roughly 45 km southeast of Reykjavík along Route 1. Drive into Hveragerði and follow signs uphill to the Reykjadalur car park, then continue on foot. Without a car: Strætó buses 51 and 52 stop in Hveragerði, leaving a 40–50 minute walk (or short taxi) to the trailhead, and guided hikes run from Reykjavík. A café with toilets and a card machine stands at the car park.
How Long Is The Reykjadalur Hike?
The hike to the bathing area is about 3 km each way, with roughly 200 m of ascent, and takes most people 45–60 minutes uphill. The path is well-trodden but steady in gradient, with some narrow and muddy sections. Allow 3–4 hours in total to walk both ways and spend time soaking in the river.
The Trail At A Glance
| Stage | Distance | Time from start | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailhead car park | 0 km | 0 min | Café, toilets, paid parking (app or card). The path starts across the footbridge. |
| Djúpagilsfoss waterfall | ≈1 km | ≈15–20 min | The steepest climbing is in this first stretch, with the gorge and waterfall below. |
| Steam vents and mud pots | ≈2 km | ≈30–40 min | Active geothermal ground - stay strictly on the path; fenced features scald. |
| Bathing area (near Klambragil) | ≈3 km | ≈45–60 min | Boardwalk, changing screens, and the warm river at ≈36–40 °C. Warmer upstream, cooler down. |
How Hot Is The Water?
The bathing section of the river sits at roughly 36–40 °C (97–104 °F), close to a warm bath. The water gets hotter further upstream, so move downstream to cool off and never bathe above the marked bathing area, where temperatures can scald. Conditions vary, so test the water before getting in.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
The most comfortable months are late May to September, when the trail is snow-free and daylight is long. The valley is open year-round, but winter brings ice, snow and limited daylight, and the climb can be hazardous without proper footwear. Visiting early or late in the day helps avoid the busiest midday crowds in summer.
Practical Information And Safety
Stay on marked paths at all times: geothermal ground off the trail can collapse or scald. Facilities are minimal, with wooden changing screens but no toilets or food at the river. Bring a towel, swimwear, water and warm layers. Check the forecast at en.vedur.is and trail conditions at safetravel.is before setting out.
Nearby And Related
Reykjadalur is one of several natural hot springs in our guide to Iceland's hot springs you can bathe in. The valley pairs well with a stop in Hveragerði, a geothermal town on the way back to Reykjavík - where Reykjaböð Hot Springs, a new ticketed lagoon and bathhouse at the foot of this same valley, opened on 5 September 2026. For how we check and date these facts, see our editorial & fact-checking policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reykjadalur Free To Visit?
Hiking to Reykjadalur and bathing in the thermal river are free. You only pay to park at the trailhead car park above Hveragerði, where parking is charged through a payment app. There is no entry fee, ticket or booking for the valley or the hot river itself. Optional guided hikes from Reykjavík cost extra.
Do You Have To Pay For Parking At Reykjadalur?
Yes. Parking at the Reykjadalur trailhead is paid via the Parka or EasyPark apps, or a card machine on the café building - cash is not accepted. Published rates vary between about 200 and 300 ISK for the first hour, with a typical 3–5-hour visit costing around 1,000 ISK (checked August 2026). Rates change periodically, so confirm the price signed at the car park.
How Long Does The Reykjadalur Hike Take?
The hike to the bathing area is roughly 3 km each way and takes most people 45–60 minutes uphill, with about 200 m of ascent. Allow 3–4 hours in total to walk both ways and spend time in the river. The return downhill is quicker, but wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the path can be muddy.
Can You Visit Reykjadalur In Winter?
Yes, but with caution. The trail is open year-round, but in winter it can be icy, snow-covered and exposed to harsh weather. Use crampons or spikes, check the forecast at en.vedur.is and conditions at safetravel.is, and turn back if visibility or footing is poor. Daylight is very limited in midwinter.
Is Reykjaböð The Same As The Reykjadalur Hot River?
No - and the two are easy to confuse because they share the valley mouth. Reykjaböð Hot Springs is a new ticketed geothermal lagoon and bathhouse (opening August 2026) located a few hundred metres from the Reykjadalur trailhead car park, with changing rooms, saunas and a restaurant - no hike required, admission from about 7,900 ISK. The Reykjadalur hot river is the free, natural bathing stream a 3 km hike up the valley. They pair well: hike and bathe in the river, then finish at the lagoon by the car park.
Are There Changing Facilities At The Hot River?
Facilities are minimal. The bathing area has a wooden boardwalk and simple changing screens beside the river, but there are no heated buildings, lockers or showers, and usually no toilets at the river itself. Toilets are normally available back at the trailhead car park. Bring a towel, water and warm layers, and pack out all rubbish.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against official and primary sources, including SafeTravel Iceland (safety and conditions), the Icelandic Met Office (weather), and the town of Hveragerði. Facts re-verified August 2026; published parking rates currently vary between sources (≈200–300 ISK per hour), so confirm the price signed at the car park before your visit.
Last updated: 2026-09-05 · Reviewed against official sources.