Natural Hot Spring
Fosslaug
North Iceland
Nestled in North Iceland's serene landscapes, Fosslaug offers a unique experience where a warm, geothermal pool meets the gentle cascade of a waterfall. Imagine soaking in naturally heated waters with the soothing sound of falling water as your soundtrack, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Icelandic countryside.
When accessible, Fosslaug offered a rare pairing of a natural hot pool right beside a real waterfall — but the site is currently closed and should not be visited.
Story
Fosslaug — Icelandic for "waterfall pool" — sits on a small piece of land between the Húseyjarkvísl river and a narrow channel in Skagafjörður, right beside the roughly 20-metre Reykjafoss waterfall. When it has been open to visitors, people have described a shallow, muddy-bottomed pool ringed by rock, warmed to a comfortable temperature, with the sound and spray of the waterfall as a backdrop. As of this writing, however, Fosslaug and Reykjafoss are closed to the public. The landowner shut off access around late June 2026 after a long-running dispute over how the site was being used and maintained — including reports that a neighboring landowner had been charging visitors a fee without taking responsibility for upkeep — and has asked travelers not to attempt a visit. There is no confirmed reopening date, so this listing describes the site as it has been known, not as it can currently be visited.
History
No detailed historical record of the pool's origin or traditional use was found. What is documented is recent: around June 29, 2026, the landowner closed public access to both Fosslaug and the adjacent Reykjafoss waterfall, citing long-standing concerns over unmanaged tourism, including reports that a neighboring landowner had been charging visitors an access fee (reportedly around 1,500 ISK) without taking responsibility for the site. The landowner stated the decision was "not prompted by a single incident but by long-standing concerns over the site's use," and said commercial tour operators had also brought visitors to the area without contributing to its upkeep (source: Iceland Review).
Did You Know?
The name "Fosslaug" literally means "waterfall pool" in Icelandic, describing its position immediately beside the Reykjafoss waterfall on the Húseyjarkvísl river.
Admission
Closed to the public (since ~June 2026) — no visits currently possible
Practical Information
Best Time
Not applicable while the site is closed. When previously accessible, late spring through mid-autumn was described as the easiest window for the short approach trail.
Duration
Not applicable while closed.
Getting There
Fosslaug and the adjacent Reykjafoss waterfall, near Varmahlíð in Skagafjörður (North Iceland), have been closed to public access since around June 2026 by decision of the landowner, following a dispute over unmanaged tourism and site upkeep. As of this writing there is no announced reopening date — do not attempt to visit; respect posted closure signage and private property.
Transport
Not applicable while closed.
Budget
Not applicable — the site is currently inaccessible to visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee?+
The site is currently closed to the public, so no fee applies because no visits are possible. When it was accessible, it was generally described as free, though a dispute over a fee (reportedly around 1,500 ISK) charged by a neighboring landowner was one of the issues that led to the closure.
How do I get there?+
We are not publishing directions. Fosslaug and the neighboring Reykjafoss waterfall have been closed to public access by the landowner since around June 2026, with no confirmed reopening date — please respect the closure rather than attempting to reach the site.
Is it safe?+
Even setting the closure aside, this was always an unstaffed natural site with no lifeguard or marked barriers — standard wild-hot-spring caution (test the water, mind slippery rocks, don't go alone) would apply if it ever reopens. Right now, the main issue is that it sits on closed private land.
What should I bring?+
Nothing — the site is not currently open to visitors. Check for an official update on access before planning any trip to this area.