Natural Hot Spring
Hörgshliðarlaug Hot Spring
Westfjords
Nestled in the remote Mjóifjörður of Iceland's Westfjords, Hörgshliðarlaug is a rustic, man-made geothermal pool. It offers a unique opportunity for a secluded, warm soak amidst stunning natural surroundings.
A tranquil, little-visited fjord-side soak in the Westfjords, open to anyone willing to ask a local farmer for permission first.
Story
At the head of Mjóifjörður, a slender arm of Ísafjarðardjúp in the Westfjords, a modest concrete pool sits just above the shoreline — fed by two hot springs and one cold, blending to a steady soaking temperature. Hörgshlíðarlaug has no ticket window and no staff: it belongs to a working farm, and travelers who want to use it are expected to ask first. Those who do have, by published accounts, generally been welcomed. It's a small pool — about six meters long and less than a meter deep — but the setting does the rest of the work: still fjord water in front of you, mountains on both sides, and on a quiet day the chance of a curious seal watching from the shore.
History
Hörgshlíðarlaug is a small, privately built and privately owned pool rather than a naturally occurring one. A 2011 profile in the Reykjavík Grapevine described the farmer who owned the land at the time (named Finnbogi in that account) as a welcoming host to respectful visitors who asked permission. No further founding history is documented, and ownership or access arrangements may have changed in the years since that account was published. (Source: Reykjavík Grapevine, 2011)
Did You Know?
Hörgshlíðarlaug is fed by three separate springs — two hot and one cold — which mix in the stone-and-concrete pool to keep the water around 40°C (104°F) year-round with no mechanical heating or cooling. (Sources: Guide to Iceland; Reykjavík Grapevine)
Admission
Free (permission from the landowner required)
Practical Information
Best Time
Summer for easier road access to this part of the Westfjords; the pool itself is fed continuously by its own hot springs and usable year-round.
Duration
A short stop of 30–60 minutes is typical; this is a small farm pool, not a full spa facility.
Getting There
Located beside Route 633 near Mjóifjörður in the Westfjords, east of Ísafjörður. Look for the farm along this road and ask the resident for permission before bathing — it is private property, though visitors are, by published accounts, generally welcomed if they ask first. (Sources: Guide to Iceland; Reykjavík Grapevine)
Transport
Self-drive is effectively required — no public transport or regular tours serve this stretch of the Westfjords.
Budget
Free once permission is granted — no published admission fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to bathe at Hörgshlíðarlaug?+
Yes. The pool sits on private farmland. Published accounts describe owners who have historically welcomed polite visitors who ask first, but always seek permission on arrival rather than assume access.
Is there a fee?+
No source mentions a charge — the pool has historically been free to use once permission is granted.
How big is the pool and how hot is the water?+
Roughly 6 meters long and under a meter deep, fed by two hot springs and one cold spring mixing to around 40°C (104°F).
Are there changing facilities?+
Yes, a small, modest changing shed is on site — but don't expect more than that; there are no showers, shop, or staff.