The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring is a free, natural hot pool hidden on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. Discover how to find it, how warm the water is, what to bring, and the best time to visit.
The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring is one of Iceland's best-kept bathing secrets. Tucked behind a low stone wall in a quiet lava field, it fits just two or three people at a time. Many travelers on self-drive tours of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula stop here for a warm soak.
Why You Can Trust Our Content
Guide to Iceland is the most trusted travel platform in Iceland, helping millions of visitors each year. All our content is written and reviewed by local experts who are deeply familiar with Iceland. You can count on us for accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy travel advice.
Unlike Iceland's most popular geothermal spas and lagoons, Landbrotalaug has no entrance fee, no crowds, and no buildings in sight. What it offers instead is warm water, mountain views, and near-total solitude.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit, from driving directions and parking to water temperature and what to pack. Read on to make the most of this West Iceland gem.
What To Know About the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
-
Landbrotalaug is a free natural hot spring on the eastern Snaefellsnes Peninsula, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Reykjavik.
-
There are two pools: a tiny natural spring that fits 2 to 3 people and a larger hose-fed pool that fits 4 to 5.
-
The water temperature is around 97 to 104 F (36 to 40 C), with the small pool the warmest at about 100 F (38 C).
-
There are no facilities, so bring a towel, swimsuit, waterproof shoes, and a dry change of clothes.
-
The final stretch of road is unpaved gravel, and reaching the spring involves crossing a small stream on foot.
-
Entry is free, no booking is needed, and the spring is open year-round when road conditions allow.
Why the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring Is Worth Visiting
The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring stands out for its seclusion. It sits in open farmland between mossy lava fields and low mountains, with the Eldborg Crater visible on clear days. A small stone wall shelters the pool, so you can relax in the geothermal waters without onlookers.
Its remote setting means there are no amenities such as changing rooms or bathrooms. That rustic simplicity is exactly why many visitors love it. The spring is a favorite for couples seeking a romantic soak and for road trippers wanting a memorable break from driving.
Because the pools are so small, Landbrotalaug can feel busy with only a handful of visitors. Arriving early in the morning or late in the evening gives you the best chance of having it to yourself. If others are waiting, keeping your soak short lets everyone enjoy the spring.
The Two Pools at the Landbrotalaug Hot Springs Area
Landbrotalaug consists of two separate pools, and knowing the difference helps you plan your soak.
The original hot spring is the small pool behind the stone wall. It fits two people comfortably, or three at a squeeze, and holds the warmest water at around 100 F (38 C). The heat comes from magma sitting close to the surface in this volcanically active part of West Iceland.
A short distance away is a larger, deeper pool that fits around four or five people. Geothermally heated water flows into it through a hose, so it isn't a natural spring, but it stays pleasantly warm at roughly 97 to 104 F (36 to 40 C). Groups often split between the two pools or take turns in the natural spring.
The Location of the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring is in West Iceland, on the eastern edge of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It sits approximately 70 miles (115 kilometers) north of Reykjavik, and the drive takes around two hours.
For precise navigation, search for "Landbrotalaug Parking" on Google Maps or enter the coordinates 64.8331, -22.3164. The spring itself sits a short walk southeast of the parking area, at 64.8321, -22.3159. It doesn't appear on road signs, so a saved map pin makes it much easier to find.
This hot spring is off the beaten track with a middle-of-nowhere feel. It's not as easy to reach as many other popular hot spring bathing areas in Iceland, but the rustic solitude rewards the effort.
How To Get to the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
Driving is the only practical way to reach Landbrotalaug, and the route is straightforward from the capital.
Follow the Ring Road north from Reykjavik to the town of Borgarnes. Just past Borgarnes, turn onto Route 54 toward the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Continue for about 30 minutes until you approach the Eldborg crater, then watch for the turnoff marked "Stora-Hraun" and follow the gravel track to the small parking area.
From the parking area, it's a short walk to the pools over uneven ground. You'll cross a shallow stream on the way, and while stepping stones help, waterproof shoes keep your feet dry. The natural spring is hidden behind the rock wall just beyond the crossing.
Since the final stretch is unpaved, you may want to rent a 4x4 for easier driving, especially outside summer.
What To Bring to the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
Landbrotalaug is completely undeveloped, so a little preparation makes the visit far more comfortable.
Pack a swimsuit, a towel, waterproof shoes for the stream crossing, and a dry change of clothes. There are no changing rooms, so most visitors wear their swimsuits under their clothes and change quickly by the pool. A waterproof bag keeps your belongings dry on the walk.
Visiting also comes with a few simple responsibilities. The spring sits on private farmland, so treat the area with respect and follow any posted signs. Never use soap or shampoo in the water, take all trash with you, and leave the pools exactly as you found them.
Entry is free and no booking is needed. The spring's continued open access depends on visitors treating it well.
Best Time To Visit the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
You can soak in Landbrotalaug year-round, but each season offers a different experience.
Summer, from June through August, brings the easiest access. The gravel road is usually dry, and Iceland's long daylight hours mean you can visit late in the evening to dodge the crowds. Summer 2026 visitors have an extra reason to linger on Snaefellsnes, as the peninsula lies in the path of the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.
Winter turns the spring into something magical, with steam rising against snowy fields and a real chance of seeing the northern lights from the water. Winter access is harder, though. Always check road conditions, the weather and aurora forecast, and safety alerts before setting out.
Spring and fall are the quietest seasons, with fewer visitors and mild conditions. For the best chance of solitude in any season, arrive early in the morning or after dinner time.
Attractions Near the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
Thanks to its location between Reykjavik and the main sights of Snaefellsnes, Landbrotalaug pairs easily with several nearby attractions. The five below are listed from nearest to farthest by road, with notes on how to reach each one.
The Gerduberg Cliffs
The Gerduberg Cliffs are the closest attraction to Landbrotalaug, about 4.5 miles (7.3 kilometers) away by road. A signposted turnoff on Route 54, a short distance west of the Route 55 junction, leads about 1 mile (1.7 kilometers) along a well-graded dirt road to a free parking area at the base. The road is manageable for regular cars in dry conditions.
No hike is required. You can admire the long wall of hexagonal basalt columns straight from the parking area, though a short, easy walk up the grassy side takes you to the top for wider views. The columns look almost hand-carved, but they formed naturally as thick lava cooled and contracted.
The Eldborg Crater
The Eldborg Crater is a strikingly symmetrical volcanic crater about 5.7 miles (9.2 kilometers) from Landbrotalaug by road. It formed in an eruption thousands of years ago, and the same volcanic forces that shaped it still heat the groundwater feeding the hot spring.
Unlike the other stops on this list, Eldborg requires a hike. You drive to the trailhead at the Snorrastadir farm off Route 54, where there's parking and a toilet, then walk about 4 miles (6 kilometers) round trip.
The trail is mostly flat through lava fields, with a short, steep climb to the rim aided by chains. Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and save your Landbrotalaug soak as the reward afterward.
The Sturlungalaug Hot Spring
If you're keen to soak in another hidden pool, the Sturlungalaug Hot Spring (also called Gudrunarlaug) is around 6.1 miles (9.8 kilometers) north of Landbrotalaug by road. It's larger than Landbrotalaug, fitting around 8 to 10 people, with water between 95 and 104 F (35 and 40 C).
Reaching it is the hardest part. The final 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) follow a rough gravel track off Route 55, marked by a sign for Sydri-Raudimelur, so a high-clearance 4x4 is strongly recommended. From where you park, it's only a short walk to the pools.
Ytri Tunga Beach
Around a 35-minute drive west of Landbrotalaug on paved Route 54, Ytri Tunga Beach is one of the most reliable places in Iceland to see wild seals. Its rare golden sand sets it apart from the country's famous black beaches.
Access is easy: park in the paid lot beside the beach, then take a short, flat walk to the shore. Seals often haul out on the offshore rocks, especially at low tide in summer, though the rocks can be slippery, so watch your footing.
Stykkisholmur
The farthest stop on this list, roughly a 45-minute drive north on paved roads, is the town of Stykkisholmur, the largest settlement on Snaefellsnes. It's fully accessible by car and makes a good base for exploring the region, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels, plus the ferry to Flatey Island and the Westfjords.
From Stykkisholmur, you can easily reach the peninsula's most impressive sights, including Snaefellsjokull National Park and the black-sand beach of Djupalonssandur.
Plan Your Visit to the Landbrotalaug Hot Spring
The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring proves that Iceland's best experiences aren't always the biggest ones. A free soak in a two-person pool, surrounded by lava fields and silence, is a memory that outlasts many famous attractions.
Part of its charm is how little it asks of you. The pool sits only a short detour off Route 54, the same road that carries Snaefellsnes Peninsula tours toward Kirkjufell and Snaefellsjokull National Park, yet most travelers pass by without ever knowing it's there.
Pack a towel, tread lightly on the farmland, and let the steam do the rest. If one wild pool leaves you wanting another, Iceland's hot spring experiences offer plenty more to choose from.
