Seljavallalaug
Seljavallalaug is a historic spring-fed swimming pool in a mountain valley below Eyjafjöll in South Iceland, free to visit and reached by a short walk. Built in 1923, it is one of Iceland's oldest pools, at roughly 63.5661° N, 19.6086° W, about 150 km from Reykjavík. The water is warm rather than hot, and facilities are very basic, so it suits visitors after scenery and history.
What Is Seljavallalaug?
Seljavallalaug is a 25-metre pool built into the mountainside in 1923 to teach local people to swim, and it was the largest pool in Iceland until 1936. Fed by a natural warm spring, it sits in a narrow green valley beneath the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Its remote setting and long history make it one of the country's most atmospheric, if rustic, places to bathe.
Where Is Seljavallalaug And How Do You Get There?
The pool lies in South Iceland near Skógar, about 150 km and a two-hour drive east of Reykjavík. Leave Route 1 onto Road 242 and follow it roughly 6.5 km to a small car park. From there a 15–20 minute walk up the valley, crossing a stream, leads to the pool. There is no public transport, so visitors drive or join a South Coast tour.
How Warm Is The Water?
Seljavallalaug is warm, not hot, usually around 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) and occasionally near 35 °C in ideal summer conditions. Spring water enters at one end, so that corner is warmest and the far end is noticeably cooler. Treat it as a mild swimming pool rather than a hot spring, and be ready for a bracing change back into the mountain air.
What Condition Is The Pool In?
The pool is cleaned only about once a year by volunteers, so algae coats the floor and walls and surfaces are slippery, particularly in summer. The water is unfiltered and unchlorinated. The old concrete changing rooms are run-down, with no showers or toilets. Many visitors find the setting worth it, but arrive with realistic expectations about cleanliness and facilities.
Practical Information And Safety
Seljavallalaug is unsupervised, so you bathe at your own risk. Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes for the walk, watch for slippery edges, and avoid the area in heavy rain when the stream can rise. Bring a towel, water and warm clothing, and pack out all rubbish. Check conditions at safetravel.is before setting out in poor weather.
Nearby And Related
Seljavallalaug sits close to the Skógafoss waterfall and the wider South Coast, making it an easy detour. It is one of several springs in our guide to Iceland's natural hot springs you can bathe in, including the free hike-in river at Reykjadalur. For how we check these facts, see our editorial & fact-checking policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seljavallalaug Free To Visit?
Yes. Seljavallalaug is free, and there is no entry fee or ticket. Parking at the trailhead is also free. The pool is maintained largely by volunteers rather than a commercial operator, so there are no staff on site. Because it is unsupervised and remote, you bathe at your own risk and should leave the site as you found it.
How Warm Is The Water At Seljavallalaug?
Seljavallalaug is warm rather than hot, usually around 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) and occasionally up to about 35 °C in good summer conditions. It is fed by a natural spring at one end, so the water is warmest there and cooler across the rest of the pool. Expect a mild soak rather than a steaming hot-spring temperature.
How Do You Get To Seljavallalaug?
Drive east from Reykjavík on Route 1 for about 150 km, then turn onto Road 242 for roughly 6.5 km of unpaved road to the car park. From there it is a 15–20 minute walk up the valley, crossing a small stream, to reach the pool. Wear waterproof footwear, as the path can be wet and rocky.
Is The Water At Seljavallalaug Clean?
The pool is cleaned only about once a year by volunteers, so algae builds up on the stone floor and walls, especially in warmer months, making surfaces green and slippery. The water is generally considered fine for swimming but is not chlorinated or filtered like a public pool. Step carefully and manage your own expectations on clarity.
Are There Changing Facilities At Seljavallalaug?
Facilities are very basic. There are simple concrete changing stalls beside the pool, but they are old and often run-down, with no showers, toilets, lockers or services. Bring a towel, swimwear and warm layers, change quickly in the cool air, and pack out everything you bring, as nobody is on site to clean up after visitors.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against official and travel sources, including SafeTravel Iceland for conditions and safety. As an unmanaged site, details such as water temperature and pool condition vary seasonally; check recent conditions before visiting.
Last updated: 2026-06-23 · Reviewed against official sources.