Reykjadalur Thermal River: Relaxing in the Heart of Nature

Reykjadalur History and Formation

Reykjadalur, or "Steam Valley" in Icelandic, has been around for thousands of years because of Iceland’s volcanoes. It’s part of an area called Hengill, where the ground splits between two tectonic plates—one tied to North America, the other to Europe. These pieces move apart a tiny bit each year, about 2 cm, cracking the earth and letting heat from way down below come up. That heat makes the hot springs, steam vents, and warm river you see today. The valley itself got its shape a long time ago from volcanoes spitting out lava and ash, and glaciers cutting through the land when everything was frozen.

The warm water comes from rain soaking into the ground, heated by hot rocks underground, and then bubbling back up. As it rises, it captures stuff like sulfur and other minerals, which turn the rocks around the springs red, yellow, and green. The river stays warm all year, usually between 30°C and 40°C, depending on where cooler water mixes in. All this—the steam, the river, the colors—is natural, not made by people, and it’s been like this forever. Locals have known about it for hundreds of years, maybe using it to bathe or just admiring it. It wasn’t a big deal to outsiders until quite recently, when more people started visiting Iceland. Now, about 100,000 people come every year. They’ve added a parking lot, some paths, and screens to change behind to make it easier, but the rest is just how nature left it. Summer has the most visitors, but it works any time of year.

Basic Info About Reykjadalur

Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Where Is Reykjadalur & How to Get There

Reykjadalur is near Hveragerði, a town in southern Iceland. From Reykjavík, it’s about 45 minutes by car. You take the Ring Road (Route 1) east, then follow signs to the parking lot. The hike starts right there.

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Facilities

There’s a parking lot where you pay a small fee and some restrooms. By the river, there are simple screens to change behind, but no private rooms or lockers. Hveragerði, the town nearby, has stores, cafes, and gas stations if you need anything.

Price

It’s free to go to the hot springs. Parking costs 200 ISK the first hour and then 250 ISK, totaling around 595 ISK for 2.5 hours, and you can pay with an app called Easy Park or at the machine.

When It’s Open

You can visit at any time, day or night, all year. However, in winter, snow or ice might close the trails, so check Safetravel before you go.

What You Get and What to Bring

There is nothing provided at the river. You need your own swimsuit, towel, hiking shoes, water, snacks, and warm clothes. Since there is no real changing area, it’s easier to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

When to Visit Reykjadalur

You can go any time of year, but each season is different. Here’s what to expect.

Summer (June to August)

Summer has long days and a more stable weather, so many people go. The valley is big, but it can feel crowded, especially in the middle of the day. Going early or late helps avoid crowds.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is quieter, and the snow makes it pretty. However, the trails can be slippery, so you might need shoes with good grip. The hot water feels nice in the cold, and if it's clear, you might see the Northern Lights.

Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November)

These times have decent weather and fewer people. Spring has flowers starting to grow, and fall turns the hills yellow. It’s a calm time to visit.

Why is Reykjadalur Worth Visiting?

Reykjadalur is not like a regular hot spring—it’s a real river with water between 30°C and 40°C. Testing the water before jumping in is a good idea! If you want it warmer, go upstream, which is closer to 40°C, which is good for cold days. If you want it cooler, move downstream a little. It’s not a fancy pool full of people and super expensive; it’s just there in the open, free to use, and not as busy as places like the Blue Lagoon, so it feels more real.

The walk to get there is 3.5 km each way, about 45 minutes to an hour, and it’s not too challenging—just a steady uphill. You start at a parking lot in Hveragerði, 45 minutes from Reykjavík, and head into the valley. On the way, you’ll see steam coming out of the ground, bubbling mud, a cool waterfall called Djúpagilsfoss, and hot springs that are too hot to touch—some are over 80°C, so stay with the river. The water leaves colors on the ground, like red from iron and yellow from sulfur, which makes it interesting to look at. In the summer it’s a great place to experience the Midnight Sun, and in the winter, a perfect place to spot the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.

People like it because it’s easy to get to but still feels wild. You don’t need a guide or much money—just some time to walk and swim. It’s close to Reykjavík, so you can leave in the morning and have most of the day there. It’s quieter than other hot spots, so you can usually find a spot in the river to sit and listen to the water and steam.

Bring a swimsuit that’s okay getting dirty from the minerals. Also, consider the weather—wind can make the walk cold, but the river warms you up. If you like nature, hot water, or just something different, it’s a good place to spend a day.

What to Pack to Reykjadalur

Since it’s all natural, you need to bring your own stuff:

• Swimsuit: For the river. Wear it under your clothes since there’s no changing room.
• Towel: To dry off.
• Hiking Shoes: For the walk. It can get muddy or icy.
• Warm Clothes: Layers work best since the weather can change.
• Water and Snacks: Nothing’s sold there.
• Plastic Bag: For your wet swimsuit and towel.
• Flashlight: Good for winter when it’s dark early

Things to Do Near Reykjadalur

If you’re at Reykjadalur and want to do more, there’s plenty around to keep you busy. The area has a mix of nature, small towns, and other sights, all pretty easy to get to with a car.

Hike More in the Hengill Area

After you reach the warm river, you don’t have to stop there. The Hengill area stretches out past Reykjadalur, with more trails to explore. One worth trying is the path to the Klambragil Gorge—it’s a bit tougher than the main hike, with steeper spots and rougher ground, but it’s not too far, maybe another hour or so depending on how fast you walk. You’ll see more steam vents puffing up, little hot springs scattered around, and wide views of the valley. The ground can be muddy or rocky, so keep your hiking shoes on. It’s quieter out there since most people stick to the river, so it’s a good way to see more of the natural heat and open land without a crowd.

See Hveragerði

Hveragerði is the closest town, just a few minutes’ drive from the parking lot. People call it the "Earthquake Town" because the ground shakes sometimes from all the heat underneath. There’s a Geothermal Park where you can walk around and see boiling mud pools and steaming holes—some spots let you dip your feet in warm water if you want.

They’ve got greenhouses that use the underground heat to grow stuff like tomatoes, cucumbers, and even bananas, which is unusual for Iceland. You can buy some of that fresh food at local shops or markets. Cafes in town cook with the hot springs, too—bread baked in the ground or soup heated by steam—so it’s worth grabbing a bite. It’s a small place, easy to wander through in an hour or two, and it gives you a feel for how locals live with the heat.

Go to Waterfalls

If you’ve got a car, some of the best waterfalls in the country are about 1 to 2 hours away. Ninety minutes from Reykjadalur you have Seljalandsfoss, a gorgeous waterfall you can walk behind if the path isn’t too icy. The water drops 60 meters, so it’s loud and misty, especially after rain. Skógafoss is a bit farther, maybe 2 hours, and it’s wider and stronger, with a staircase next to it if you want to climb up for a view. Both are off Route 1, the same road you take to Hveragerði, so they’re simple to add to your itinerary (and you should). Bring a raincoat or something waterproof since the spray can get you wet, and the ground might be slippery, especially in winter.

Try the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a loop you can drive from Reykjadalur, and it’s not far—maybe 30 minutes to the first stop. It covers three main places: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall. Thingvellir is where those two tectonic plates I mentioned pull apart—you can walk between them and see cracks in the ground, about 45 minutes from Hveragerði. Geysir is next, another 40 minutes or so, with hot water shooting up every few minutes from one spot called Strokkur—it goes 15 to 20 meters high. Gullfoss is the last stop, a huge waterfall that’s loud and powerful, especially when it’s windy. The whole loop takes half a day if you don’t rush, and it’s a good way to see more of southern Iceland while you’re close by.

Ride Horses

There are farms around Hveragerði that let you ride horses, and some even take you to Reykjadalur instead of hiking. The horses are the small, sturdy kind Iceland’s known for, and they’re used to the rocky paths. A tour might last 2 to 3 hours, depending on where you start—ask at the farm how long it’ll be. You’ll ride through the valley, see the steam vents up close, and maybe stop at the river to look around. It’s a slower way to get there, and you don’t need to know how to ride—they’ll show you what to do. Bring warm clothes since you’ll be outside the whole time. It’s a different way to see the area if walking isn’t your thing or you just want to try something local.

Conclusion

Reykjadalur is a simple place to visit. You hike a bit, swim in a warm river, and see some nature. It’s close to Reykjavík, free to get in, and worth the trip if you’re in southern Iceland. Bring what you need, and you’re good to go.