Guide de Voyage : Sources Chaudes de Krosslaug

The Krosslaug hot springs are two geothermal pools in the Westfjords region of Iceland. 

You can visit the Krosslaug hot springs as part of a 10-day self-drive tour of Northwest Iceland — this should give you plenty of time to explore the region.

The Krosslaug hot pool site actually has two pools. One is a concrete swimming pool, and the other is a natural geothermal pool.

The water in both pools is around 100° Fahrenheit (roughly 37° Celsius), making it cooler than other hot springs in Iceland but still perfectly comfortable for a soak or a swim.

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Félix Tungsteno. No edits made.

What’s Special About the Krosslaug Hot Springs?

The Krosslaug hot springs, also known as the Birkimelur swimming pool, have a beautiful location on the south coast of the Westfjords peninsula. Visitors can enjoy stunning ocean views while they relax in the warm geothermal waters. 

Because of its remote — and slightly hard-to-find — location, few tourists visit this hot spring site. You may find that the members of your group are the only visitors to the site when you arrive. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy a private swim in this spectacular setting.

The natural pool also has interesting folklore surrounding it. Locals believe that Viking baptisms took place in these waters. The word “Krosslaug” translates to English as “hot pool of the cross,” so the pool gets its name from this legend. 

There are changing facilities and showers at the hot springs, but there is a small entry fee of approximately 10 USD (1,500 ISK).

How to Reach the Krosslaug Hot Springs

The Krosslaug hot springs are located on the southern coast of the remote Westfjords peninsula. It can be difficult to find. There’s another Krosslaug spring between Reykjavik and the town of Borganes, so make sure you search for the right one when using an online map.

The Krosslaug pools in the Westfjords are around 220 miles (roughly 350 kilometers) north of Reykjavik. To reach the springs from Iceland’s capital city, you can either drive the whole way or break up your journey with a ferry ride. 

To drive, take the Ring Road northbound until Route 60, then follow this road until you reach the village of Flokalundur — this is the last settlement you’ll pass through before you arrive at the Krosslaug pools, so you may want to stop off here for some food. 

At Flokalundur, take Route 62 westbound for around 13 miles (approximately 21 kilometers). The hot springs will be on your left-hand side — they aren’t well signposted, so keep a lookout as you drive.

Alternatively, you can take the Ring Road northwards until Route 54, then take this road until you reach the town of Stykkisholmur. From here, you can take the Baldur ferry across the Breidafjordur fjord to Brjanslaekur — you’ll end up about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Krosslaug hot springs. 

Attractions Near the Krosslaug Hot Springs

There are several attractions within easy driving distance of the Krosslaug hot springs. The Westfjords can be difficult to navigate without a 4X4, so it’s recommended that you hire a car with four-wheel drive if you want to explore the region on your own.

From the Krosslaug hot springs, you can drive west to visit the beautiful red-sand beach of Raudasandur. It’s around 28 miles (roughly 45 kilometers) from the Krosslaug natural pool.

Another must-see attraction in the area is the incredible Dynjandi waterfall, the jewel of the Westfjords. This waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in the region and is only 30 miles (about 50 kilometers) north of the Krosslaug hot springs.