Is it safe to touch the geothermal water?

Never touch geothermal water unless at a designated bathing area. Water temperatures can exceed 100°C and cause severe burns.

Can I visit geothermal areas year-round?

Yes, most geothermal areas are open year-round. The steam is even more dramatic in cold winter weather.

Do I need to stay on boardwalks?

Yes, always stay on marked paths and boardwalks. The ground near geothermal features can be thin and unstable.

Iceland/south-iceland

Reykjadalur

reykjadalur是South Iceland迷人的地热区。体验冒泡的泥池、蒸汽喷口和色彩斑斓的矿物沉积，展示冰岛的火山能量。这片超凡脱俗的景观为您提供独特的地球地热力量一瞥。

At a Glance

Visit time

2–3 hours (including hike)

Best season

Year-round, trail can be muddy in spring

Access

Near Hveragerði, 45 minutes from Reykjavík. 3 km uphill hike from trailhead parking.

GPS

64.1663, -20.2645

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About

About Reykjadalur

Completely free — just requires a 3km hike

Photos

Photo Gallery

Background

History & Background

The hot river in Reykjadalur is one of Iceland's most unusual natural bathing spots — a natural river with geothermal springs feeding it at varying temperatures, allowing bathers to find their preferred spot. The valley was severely damaged in a 2008 earthquake that hit the Hveragerði area with a 6.3 magnitude tremor, opening new fissures and dramatically changing the geothermal activity in the valley.

Reykjadalur（“蒸汽谷”）提供冰岛最独特的沐浴体验之一 - 浸泡在距离雷克雅未克仅 45 分钟路程的地热山谷中天然加热的河流中。从惠拉格济 (Hveragerði) 出发的 3 公里小径攀登穿过热气腾腾的喷口和沸腾的泥浆罐的地热景观，然后到达温暖的河流。木屏风提供了基本的更衣区，河流有不同的温度区域。它完全免费参观，使其成为首都的热门一日游。

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Reykjadalur — 'Steam Valley' — offers something unique in Iceland: a natural hot spring river where you can bathe in the wild, for free. The 3-kilometre hike from the trailhead near Hveragerði follows the riverside through geothermally heated terrain — steam vents, sulphur deposits and boiling pools beside the path — before reaching a designated bathing section where the river maintains a perfect 40°C. Changing rooms (for which 'changing screens' is a generous description) mark the bathing area. The hike itself is attractive: the steam rising from the valley on cool mornings is beautiful. On summer weekends the bathing spot can be crowded; a weekday morning arrival ensures the experience feels closer to wilderness.

💡 Did You Know?

Trail passes boiling mud pots and steam vents

Local Legend

Legends of Reykjadalur

Reykjadalur has been part of Icelandic folklore for generations. Local tales speak of hidden people (huldufólk) and other supernatural beings who inhabit the area. According to tradition, this place deserves respect and visitors should be mindful of the ancient spirits who call it home.

Culture