Natural Hot Spring
Gjörviðalslaug Hot Spring
Westfjords
Discover Gjörviðalslaug, a true hidden gem nestled in the remote Westfjords, offering an authentic and wild Icelandic hot spring experience. This rustic, intimate natural pool, with its clear, warm waters (typically 38-42°C), is embraced by moss-covered rocks and lush vegetation, inviting a tranquil soak away from the crowds.
For experienced, self-sufficient travelers drawn to the idea of a truly obscure Westfjords hot spring — though be aware it may be difficult or impossible to actually locate.
Story
Gjörviðalslaug is one of the more obscure entries on any list of Westfjords hot springs — mapped near Road 61 in the Kollafjörður area, with a small pool structure and a separate natural spring source a few metres away, according to open mapping data. It has a reputation among hot-spring enthusiasts less for being a well-loved bathing spot and more for being genuinely hard to find: travelers who have gone looking for it, GPS coordinates in hand, have reported searching on foot for 15 minutes or more without locating any pool at all. We were not able to independently verify its current physical condition or whether it remains usable as a bathing spot — the honest picture, based on available sources, is of a genuinely remote, unmarked, and possibly overgrown or hard-to-access site rather than an established, signposted attraction.
History
No detailed historical record was found for Gjörviðalslaug specifically. Mapping data shows a small structure and a separate spring source nearby, but we could not confirm who built it, when, or how — if at all — it has been maintained in recent years.
Did You Know?
The Westfjords are dotted with small, informal geothermal pools like this one that never made it onto official tourist maps — some are well-maintained local favorites, while others, like Gjörviðalslaug, are so obscure that even travelers using exact GPS coordinates have struggled to find them.
Admission
Free (unverified)
Practical Information
Best Time
Not established — if attempting a visit, daylight hours would give the best chance of spotting an unmarked site.
Duration
Unknown — could not be verified.
Getting There
Gjörviðalslaug's recorded coordinates place it in the Westfjords near Road 61, but we could not independently verify a maintained trail, parking area, or even that a bathable pool is currently present. Several travelers report failing to locate any hot spring at the mapped location despite searching on foot. Treat this as an unverified, likely very obscure site rather than an established attraction.
Transport
A car would be needed to reach the general area on Road 61; no public transport serves this location.
Budget
No fee reported; typical of small, undeveloped Westfjords hot springs, but not independently confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee?+
No fee has been reported, consistent with this being an undeveloped natural site rather than a managed attraction — but this has not been independently confirmed.
How do I get there?+
Its mapped coordinates place it in the Westfjords near Road 61 (Djúpvegur) in the Kollafjörður area. We can't offer verified directions beyond that: multiple travelers report driving and walking around the marked location for 15 minutes or more without finding a pool, so treat any route description you find elsewhere with caution.
Is it safe?+
We could not verify the current condition of the site, so we can't make specific safety claims about it. General wild-hot-spring precautions apply if you do find it: test the water temperature before entering, don't go alone in a remote area without telling someone your plan, and don't expect a lifeguard, signage, or marked trail.
What should I bring?+
Offline maps or a GPS device, sturdy footwear for rough, unmarked terrain, and realistic expectations — accounts suggest you may not be able to locate a usable pool at all.