Why we recommend this hike

We send a lot of guests up Reykjadalur ("Steam Valley"), in the hills above Hveragerði, because the reward at the top is so different from anything else on the Golden Circle: a warm river you can actually lie down in. It suits anyone who's reasonably active and wants a half-day that mixes a bit of effort with a proper soak. If your group is split between hikers and waterfall-chasers, this is our compromise pick — everyone ends up happy in the river.

Be honest with yourself about the climb. The trail starts at the car park north of Hveragerði and goes uphill for the first stretch on a dirt path beside a gorge, with the little Djúpagilsfoss waterfall on one side and steam venting on the other. About halfway up you'll pass Drottningarhola ("Queen's Hole"), which we always tell people to stop at for a photo. After that it flattens into the valley, and you'll smell the sulphur before you see the mud pots — that's normal, and it means you're nearly there.

The Hot River at Klambragil

The bit everyone comes for is the Klambragil hot river, where hot spring water mixes with cooler water to make a long, soakable bath. Wooden boardwalks run along it for several hundred metres, and there are simple wooden changing screens on the bank.

Our tip: don't just flop into the first pool you reach. The water is hotter the further upstream you go and cooler downstream, so walk the boardwalk and test a few spots with your hand until you find the temperature you like, then settle into a rock-walled pool. Give yourself a full hour in the water — you've earned it on the way up.

What You'll See Along the Way

• Steaming hillsides with mineral deposits in orange, yellow, red and green
• Djúpagilsfoss — a small but pretty waterfall in the gorge below the trail
• Drottningarhola — a historic geothermal borehole with photogenic steam
• Bubbling mud pots and fumaroles — actively boiling, so always observed from a safe distance
• The Klambragil hot river with its boardwalks and changing screens
• Open valley views back down to Hveragerði and the South Iceland lowlands

A Word on Safety

Reykjadalur is genuinely beautiful but it is also a live geothermal area. Several pools sit at or near boiling point (~100°C), and the ground around them can be unstable. Stay on the marked path at all times, never let children wander off-trail, and always test the water temperature with a hand before stepping in to bathe. A bathing suit and a quick-dry towel make the whole experience much more pleasant — and bring a plastic bag for wet kit on the way down.

Our tip: don't skip Hveragerði

We always tell guests to leave time for the town of Hveragerði at the foot of the trail, ideally afterwards when you're tired and hungry. It sits on a busy geothermal field, so there's a good café and bakery scene and the greenhouses you'll pass are heated straight from the ground. A coffee and something warm after the descent rounds the day off nicely before the drive back to the cabin.

From Northern Lights Cabin

• Distance: ~55–60 km
• Drive time: ~50 minutes
• Route: Head south on Route 37 to Route 35, continue to the Ring Road (Route 1), then turn west towards Hveragerði. From the town, follow signs north to Reykjadalur car park along a short gravel road.
• Parking: Paid parking via Parka or EasyPark (~250 ISK/hour). Arrive early in summer — the lot fills before 9:00 on busy days.
• Trailhead: The path starts at the back of the parking area and climbs the dirt road into the valley.

Good to Know

• Bring a swimsuit and quick-dry towel — the hot river is the whole point.
• Wear sturdy hiking boots — the trail is steep, often muddy, and slippery in places.
• Pack layers and a windproof shell — the upper valley is exposed and noticeably cooler than the lowlands.
• Pack out everything you bring in. There are no rubbish bins or toilets at the river.
• Bring a plastic bag for wet swimwear on the descent.
• Always check the forecast at vedur.is before heading out.
• In winter, take microspikes or crampons, a headlamp, and start early. Don't hike alone.
• Pair the hike with a coffee or lunch in Hveragerði — the geothermal café and bakery scene is part of the experience.
• Easy to combine with Kerið crater on the drive back to the cabin.