Natural Hot Spring
Þórunnarlaug
North Iceland
Discover Þórunnarlaug, a tranquil geothermal pool in a small gorge north of Laugafell hut. This intimate spring, just large enough for one, is cradled by dark, moss-covered rocks, offering a unique, serene bathing experience amidst Iceland's rugged interior.
Reach a small, naturally warm pool tucked into a highland ravine near the historic Laugafell mountain huts, a quiet reward after crossing Iceland's interior.
Story
High on the plateau north of Hofsjökull glacier, where the Laugafell mountain huts mark a resting point on Iceland's central highland routes, a short walk along a ravine from the main hut leads to Þórunnarlaug — a small natural pool tucked into the landscape, partly shaped by hand long before gravel roads reached this far into the interior. Follow the ravine roughly 200 meters from Laugafell and the pool comes into view, its warm water a quiet reward after a day crossing the highland tracks between Eyjafjörður and the interior. It's an intimate pool, not a facility — no ticket booth, no changing rooms, just naturally heated water in a fold of the land, a stone's throw from its better-known neighbor Laugafellslaug. Like many of Iceland's remote pools, visitors come here at their own responsibility, part of the reward of reaching one of the country's classic highland huts.
History
Þórunnarlaug sits beside the Laugafell mountain huts on the high plateau between Eyjafjörður and Hofsjökull, an area long used by highland travelers for its geothermal hot springs. Like many Icelandic hot springs named with a woman's name plus 'laug' (pool) — an old naming pattern seen elsewhere, such as Guðrúnarlaug in Dalabyggð — the name suggests 'Þórunn's pool,' though no documented history of who Þórunn was, or when the pool was first used or shaped, was found in this research.
Did You Know?
Þórunnarlaug lies only about 100 meters from its better-known neighbor Laugafellslaug — both fed by the same geothermal hot springs on the north-western slopes of Laugafell, a traditional resting point for highland travelers between Eyjafjörður and the interior.
Admission
Free — no admission fee (remote, unstaffed natural pool).
Practical Information
Best Time
Summer (roughly late June–September), when highland roads to Laugafell are open and the huts are staffed.
Duration
A short soak of 20–40 minutes, typically as part of a longer highland hiking or driving trip with an overnight at Laugafell.
Getting There
Located beside the Laugafell mountain huts in the central highlands, roughly 20 km southwest of the head of Eyjafjarðardalur and 15 km northeast of Hofsjökull glacier. From the huts, follow the nearby ravine about 200 meters to reach the pool. Highland F-roads to Laugafell are typically open only in summer and require a 4x4.
Transport
High-clearance 4x4 via highland F-roads (open summer only), or on foot via highland hiking routes; no public transport reaches Laugafell directly.
Budget
Free — no admission fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Þórunnarlaug?+
From the Laugafell mountain huts, follow the nearby ravine for roughly 200 meters until the pool comes into view. It's described as a relatively easy walk for experienced hikers, but Laugafell itself is only reachable via highland F-roads, on foot, or by highland bus in summer.
Is there an entrance fee?+
No — it's a free, unstaffed natural pool, visited at your own risk.
Is Þórunnarlaug the same as Laugafellslaug?+
No, they are two separate pools close together (roughly 100 meters apart), both fed by the geothermal springs on Laugafell's north-western slopes.
When can I visit?+
Laugafell's huts are generally staffed and the highland roads open only in summer (roughly late June–September); outside that window, the area is remote, exposed, and much harder to reach safely.
