Quick FactsOverview
About Husafell Canyon Baths
Husafell Canyon Baths, Iceland are two geothermal soaking pools set at the base of Hringsgil canyon in the Husafell highlands of West Iceland, opened in 2019. The pools are reached only by a guided tour departing from Hotel Husafell; no independent access to the canyon is possible. The tour takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes including a short bus ride to the trailhead, an easy highland walk, and around 30 minutes of soaking time. Access requires descending 64 steps into the canyon.
The two pools run at temperatures ranging from 30 to 41 degrees Celsius, with the lower pool generally hotter. Both were built using flagstones sourced from the canyon floor and designed to blend into the natural rock walls. The changing room is constructed from reclaimed timber, and the coat hooks are fashioned from horseshoes salvaged from a nearby farm. The tour route also passes the two-tiered Langifoss waterfall and the marked site of Okjokull, Iceland's first glacier formally declared lost to climate change. Tours are limited to 16 participants per departure and run at set daily times, making advance booking essential.
Location & Access
Getting to Husafell Canyon Baths
Husafell Canyon Baths is accessed exclusively through a guided tour departing from Hotel Husafell or the Husafell Activity Center at Asendi 12, 320 Husafell in West Iceland. No independent access to the canyon is permitted. Tour departures run at 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00 daily. A minibus transports the group from the activity center to the trailhead, then the guide leads a short walk through the highland landscape to the canyon entrance, followed by the 64-step descent to the pools. Booking through the official site at husafell.com is required well in advance to secure a place, as slots fill quickly during summer and the group cap of 16 is strictly enforced at every departure.
From Reykjavik, the drive to Husafell is approximately 132 km northeast and takes around two hours via Route 1 north toward Borgarnes, then Route 50 east through Reykholt to Husafell. From Borgarnes the drive takes around one hour. Husafell sits on the Silver Circle sightseeing route alongside Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, the Vidgelmir lava cave, and the Langjokull glacier. Hotel Husafell offers accommodation, a restaurant, and a geothermal swimming pool on site for use before or after the canyon tour.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Husafell Canyon Baths Suits
Husafell Canyon Baths suits visitors who want a guided, low-crowd, and architecturally considered geothermal soaking experience in a remote West Iceland highland canyon setting. The combination of a landscape walk, the canyon descent, and the pool time makes it best suited to couples, solo travelers, and small groups who value the whole journey rather than just the soak. Families are welcome and the minimum age is 2; the hike and steps are rated easy by the operator. Children should be comfortable with outdoor walking and descending stairs in potentially wet conditions.
For those seeking family hot springs near Borgarnes that offer a genuinely different setting from the larger lagoons, the canyon baths fill a specific niche as a small, quiet, and nature-integrated experience. The guided structure means you never arrive to find the pools full, and the group cap of 16 ensures a calm soak each time. No food or drinks are available at the baths themselves; the hotel has a restaurant, bistro, and cafe for before or after the tour.
Wheelchair access is not available. The 64-step descent into the canyon and the hiking trail approach are not documented as accessible by any adaptive route. The operator recommends warm waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots for all participants regardless of season.
Safety & Etiquette
Husafell Canyon Baths Safety Tips
Husafell Canyon Baths is generally safe as a guided commercial experience, with the main safety considerations being the 64-step canyon descent, the pool temperature range, and the exposed highland setting between the trailhead and the baths. All visits are led by a local English-speaking guide, which significantly reduces navigation and weather risk compared to any self-guided highland access.
The lower pool runs at the hotter end of the 30 to 41 degree Celsius range; enter gradually and test the water before settling in. Move between the two pools to regulate temperature and take breaks from the heat during the soaking window. The post-soak transition back up the 64 steps and out to the highland air is where rapid heat loss occurs; bring warm windproof layers to put on immediately after exiting the water. A warm hat and gloves are recommended in all seasons except peak summer.
The trail to the canyon includes a crossing of a glacial meltwater stream that requires attention underfoot. Sturdy hiking boots with grip are required, not optional. The canyon steps can be slippery in wet or icy conditions; hold the rail and move one step at a time when descending and ascending. Do not move beyond the marked area around the pools. Weather changes quickly in the highlands; the guide monitors conditions and the tour route may be altered due to snow, ice, mud, or flooding. Pack an extra warm layer in your bag for the return walk in any season, and stay close to the guide throughout the outing.
