Reykjadalur is a geothermal valley above Hveragerdi where a hillside trail leads past steam vents, hot springs, and a waterfall to a naturally warm bathing river. The combination of hiking and outdoor bathing makes it one of South Iceland's most rewarding half-day stops.
Rental cars provide the simplest way to reach Reykjadalur, around 25 miles (40 kilometers) or 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Travelers who prefer arranged transport can take a private Reykjadalur hiking tour, while a nearby horse-riding tour from Hveragerdi offers another way to explore the area.
Reykjadalur can be visited on its own or included in a longer route through South Iceland. Spend more time exploring the top things to do in Hveragerdi, continue north toward the Golden Circle, or travel east along the South Coast.
Below, you will find details on parking and public transport, trail conditions, bathing temperatures, facilities, seasonal safety, and nearby services. Keep reading to plan your Reykjadalur visit.
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.
Key Takeaways
-
Location: Reykjadalur is above Hveragerdi Town in South Iceland.
-
Distance from Reykjavik: The trailhead is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Reykjavik, or a 45-minute drive.
-
Hike length: The hike is about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) each way.
-
Hiking time: The uphill hike takes around one hour, although it may take longer depending on pace and conditions.
-
Difficulty: The hike is moderately challenging.
-
Water temperature: The main bathing area is around 97 to 104 F (36 to 40 C).
-
Cost: Entry is free. For vehicles with up to nine seats, parking costs 300 ISK for one hour or 1,000 ISK for up to five hours.
-
Facilities: The trailhead service center has restrooms, a cafe, a shop, and visitor information. Wooden changing screens are available by the river, but there are no toilets along the trail.
-
Best season: Summer offers the easiest hiking conditions, but it's accessible year-round.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring River Explained
Reykjadalur, whose name means Steam Valley, lies at the foot of the Hengill Volcanic Mountain Range in South Iceland. Its naturally warm river, Reykjadalsa, flows through the valley and provides a rare place to bathe in an open geothermal landscape.
Hot springs in the surrounding hills feed the river, and their water mixes with cooler water before reaching the designated bathing area. Steam rises from vents across the hillsides, while geothermal minerals color the ground around the springs in shades of red, green, and yellow.
The marked trail through Reykjadalur has become one of Iceland's most popular hikes. The valley sits directly above Hveragerdi, a town built on an active geothermal field and the main gateway to the area.
How To Get to Reykjadalur From Reykjavik
Reykjadalur is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Reykjavik, a drive of roughly 45 minutes. The trailhead car park sits just above Hveragerdi Town, reached by turning off the Ring Road and following a short gravel road to its end.
The car park charges vehicles with up to nine seats 300 ISK for one hour or 1,000 ISK for up to five hours. You can pay through the Parka app.
For public transport, bus 51 and bus 52 depart from the Mjodd Bus Terminal in Reykjavik and stop in Hveragerdi. However, the bus stop is in town, about an hour's walk from the trailhead. Renting a car or joining a guided Reykjadalur hiking tour provides a more convenient start.
Hiking the Reykjadalur Trail
The hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River is about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) each way. Experienced hikers take around one hour uphill, although it may take longer depending on your pace, photo stops, and trail conditions. The walk back is usually quicker.
The trail begins with a small bridge crossing followed by a steady climb on gravel. It levels out as you enter the valley, although a few sections are steep, narrow, or loose underfoot.
Steam rises from vents and bubbling springs beside the trail, while Djupagilsfoss Waterfall flows through the gorge below. The path above the gorge may feel uncomfortable if you are afraid of heights, so take your time and watch your footing.
Farther into the valley, you cross the river before reaching the designated bathing area. Klambragil Canyon lies a little farther upstream and is worth the short extension. Stay on the marked path throughout the hike, as the ground around the hot springs can be thin and dangerously hot.
For a longer hike, continue from Klambragil on the 2.4-mile (3.8-kilometer) loop over Olkelduhnjukur and back into Reykjadalur.
For a closer look at the route, scenery, and bathing experience, read one of our local writers' accounts of hiking Reykjadalur.
Bathing in the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River
The designated bathing area is a long stretch of shallow river before Klambragil Canyon, with small pools formed by rocks and a wooden boardwalk protecting the fragile banks. The main section is roughly 97 to 104 F (36 to 40 C), becoming hotter upstream and cooler downstream.
You can move along the river until you find a comfortable temperature. Its length also makes it easier to find space even on busy days. The changing screens offer little privacy, so we recommend wearing your swimsuit under your clothes if you do not feel comfortable changing in the open.
Enter the designated bathing area slowly and move downstream if the water feels too hot. Never touch or enter the unmixed springs upstream.
Facilities at Reykjadalur Valley
There are no toilets or bins along the Reykjadalur Valley Trail. At the trailhead, the Reykjadalur Service Center provides restrooms, visitor information, a shop, and a cafe serving drinks, snacks, and light meals. It generally opens from around 11 AM to 5 PM.
Additional facilities near the trailhead include a zipline, mountain bike, e-mountain bike, and gravel bike rentals, as well as a horse-riding center. You can book a one-and-a-half-hour horse-riding tour of Reykjadalur or a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) zipline over Svartagljufur Gorge ahead of time.
Reykjabod Hot Springs, a new geothermal bathing and wellness retreat at the entrance to the valley, is scheduled to open in August 2026. It will feature natural hot springs, a Nordic bathhouse, hot-and-cold bathing areas, a sauna, and dining. You can book a classic Reykjabod Hot Springs Pass in advance.
At the river, the only facilities are the wooden boardwalk and basic changing screens.
What To Bring to Reykjadalur
What you bring to Reykjadalur should prepare you for changeable weather, uneven trail conditions, and bathing outdoors. Use this Reykjadalur packing list to cover the essentials:
-
Swimsuit and towel: Bring both if you plan to bathe in the river.
-
Sturdy shoes: Hiking boots or trail shoes provide better grip on steep, loose, or muddy sections than everyday sneakers.
-
Warm layers: The weather can change quickly, and you may feel cold after leaving the water.
-
Water and snacks: The trailhead has a cafe, but there are no places to buy food or drinks along the trail.
-
A bag for your rubbish: There are no bins along the trail or at the bathing area.
For more advice on clothing, footwear, and seasonal essentials, see our complete guide on what to pack for a trip to Iceland.
Best Time To Visit Reykjadalur
The best time to visit Reykjadalur is from June to September, when the weather is generally milder and the long daylight gives you more time to complete the hike. Summer usually offers the easiest trail conditions, although rain can still leave the gravel muddy or slippery.
Reykjadalur is accessible year-round when conditions allow, but the trail can close temporarily because of mud, thawing ground, or damage to the path. Check the latest closures and conditions on SafeTravel before visiting.
Reykjadalur is one of Iceland's most popular trails, receiving around 1,000 visitors per day on average. The bathing area can become busy, although the long stretch of river gives visitors room to spread out.
Winter brings ice, snow, short daylight, and more unpredictable weather. Wear warm waterproof layers and footwear with suitable traction, carry a headlamp, and check the Icelandic Met Office before setting out. In winter, visit Reykjadalur with a guide unless you have suitable equipment and experience.
Services and Attractions Near Reykjadalur
The town of Hveragerdi sits at the foot of the valley and has a supermarket, gas station, pharmacy, tourist information center, accommodation, and EV charging points. These services make it easy to stock up, charge your rental car, or replace anything you need before the hike.
Afterward, visit the Geothermal Park to taste rye bread baked overnight using hot-spring steam, or stop at Olverk, a local brewery for wood-fired pizza and craft beer brewed with geothermal energy. For more places to visit and activities nearby, explore the top things to do in Hveragerdi.
Reykjadalur can also begin a longer sightseeing route. Drive north through Kerid Crater to the Golden Circle, which covers Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
For a South Coast route, continue east to Selfoss and stop at Selfoss New Old Town, a riverside district with reconstructed historic buildings. You can eat at the Old Dairy Food Hall or visit Isbud Huppu for ice cream before continuing toward Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
Safety and Conservation at Reykjadalur
Staying on the marked path is the most important rule at Reykjadalur, as the ground off-trail can hide boiling springs and unstable slopes. Leaving designated paths in geothermal areas is among the most dangerous things to do in Iceland.
Some hot springs around Reykjadalur reach 176 to 212 F (80 to 100 C). Remain at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) away, and never enter water outside the designated bathing area or water that has not mixed into the main river.
The trail has been closed at times to let the vegetation recover, especially after wet weather when walkers stray off the path. Take all your litter home, leave the flora undisturbed, and remember that wild camping is not allowed here. Use the campsite or one of the accommodations in Hveragerdi if you want to stay overnight.
Plan Your Visit to Reykjadalur
Reykjadalur combines a moderate geothermal hike with the chance to bathe in a naturally warm river. Along the way, you pass steaming springs, colorful terrain, and Djupagilsfoss Waterfall before reaching the shallow bathing pools.
The trail is a convenient half-day trip from Reykjavik and pairs well with Hveragerdi, the Golden Circle, or the South Coast. Come prepared, check conditions, and stay on the marked path. For more places to soak, explore the best hot springs in Iceland and the best swimming pools outside Reykjavik.
