Birkimelur, Iceland

Getting to Birkimelur

Birkimelur is reached by driving to the Laugarnes peninsula on the south coast of the Westfjords, off Route 62. From Patreksfjörður, the closest town, the drive takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes heading east along Route 62 toward Flókalundur, then turning off onto the Laugarnes access road. The pool is a short walk from the road and sits close to the Guesthouse Bjarkarholt, which is directly across the highway from the site. The total driving distance from Patreksfjörður is approximately 22 kilometres.

From Reykjavík, reaching Birkimelur requires either a full drive of around five to six hours via Route 1 north to Route 60 and then Route 62 west into the Westfjords, or a shorter drive to Stykkishólmur followed by the Baldur ferry across Breiðafjörður to Brjánslækur, which significantly reduces the total driving distance. The Westfjords road network in this area includes both paved and unpaved sections; Route 62 is generally passable in summer by standard 2WD vehicles, but road conditions can vary and checking current status before travelling is advisable, particularly in shoulder seasons.

Parking is available beside the road near the site. The pool is not visible from the main road and requires a short walk down to the shore. The changing rooms are on site but are only staffed and unlocked during certain hours; early morning and evening visits may find the changing rooms closed. Despite this, the pools themselves are accessible at any time. Visitors arriving when the changing room is locked should plan accordingly, either wearing swimwear under their clothing or changing at the Guesthouse Bjarkarholt.

Who Can Visit Birkimelur

Birkimelur suits most visitors who are comfortable with an informal, community-maintained pool setting, including families with children who can manage the short walk from the road to the pools on uneven coastal ground. The concrete pool at 20 metres is large enough for casual swimming and group use, while the natural hot pot offers a more intimate soaking spot with open fjord views. The combination of both pool types in one location makes it a practical stop for visitors exploring the Barðaströnd coast, as it provides both a swimming option and a hot pot option without needing to travel between separate sites.

For family hot springs near Patreksfjordur and the southern Westfjords, Birkimelur is one of the few sites in the area with both a changing room and a full-sized pool. Wheelchair access is not formally documented; the approach from the car park involves uneven coastal ground and the site has no paved paths or formal accessibility infrastructure. Visitors with mobility requirements should assess conditions on arrival. The changing rooms are not always open, which limits privacy for changing at certain times of day.

The site is best visited in summer, when the road conditions are most reliable, daylight is extended, and the fjord views are at their clearest. The pool is open year-round in principle, but the Westfjords can be difficult to reach safely in winter, and the changing rooms are only maintained during the summer season. Entry is paid for the concrete pool via an honesty box; the natural hot pot beside the shore operates on a donation basis. Visitors should bring their own towel and swimwear, as no rental facilities are available on site.

Safety and Etiquette at Birkimelur

Birkimelur is a remote site on the south coast of the Westfjords, and visitors should plan their journey with the same care they would apply to any remote location in this region. The road to the site is manageable in summer conditions, but the Westfjords road network can deteriorate quickly in rain or after snowfall, and distances from emergency services are long. Checking road conditions and weather forecasts before driving to the site is standard practice, and driving at a pace appropriate for remote single-track roads is essential.

Both pools run at approximately 37 degrees Celsius, which is a moderate soaking temperature suitable for most adults and older children. The temperature does not typically present the scalding hazard found at unmanaged natural springs, but visitors should still test the water before entering. There is no lifeguard, no safety equipment on site, and no staff outside of limited daytime hours. Children should be supervised at all times in and around both pools. The natural hot pot is positioned close to the shore, and the rocky coastal terrain near the water's edge requires care when moving around the pool.

The site is owned and maintained by a local youth association, and continued access depends on visitors behaving respectfully. Pay the entry fee via the honesty box at the changing rooms, even when no staff are present. Leave no litter. Avoid using soaps or shampoos in the pools. The changing rooms are a shared community facility and should be left clean. If the changing rooms are locked, do not attempt to force access; use the guesthouse across the road or change at your vehicle instead.

The site does not have toilet facilities on site, so plan accordingly before arriving. For food and accommodation, the Guesthouse Bjarkarholt is directly adjacent to the site and is the closest option in the immediate area. The Westfjords are a genuinely remote part of Iceland, and this pool reflects that character: simple, maintained with community effort, and rewarding precisely because it is not heavily managed or crowded.