Quick FactsOverview
About Krosslaug
Krosslaug Iceland is a paid geothermal pool site located on the Laugarnes peninsula on the south coast of the Westfjords, fed by water from the Krossneshverar geothermal area. The site has two pools: a concrete swimming pool measuring 4 by 13 metres and 1 to 2 metres in depth, and a smaller natural-looking hot pot on the Atlantic shoreline. Both pools are maintained at around 37 degrees Celsius, which is cooler than many Icelandic wild pools but entirely comfortable for a long soak. The site sits directly on the coast of the Vatnsfjordur fjord, which connects to Breidafjordur bay and the broader Atlantic, giving both pools an open ocean outlook. On clear days, the Snaefellsjokull glacier on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula can be seen at the far end of Breidafjordur across the water.
The name Krosslaug translates from Icelandic as the Hot Pool of the Cross. The name refers to a legend from around the year 1000, when Iceland was converting to Christianity. According to the legend, Viking settlers from the western regions of Iceland were baptized in this pool, having refused a cold immersion baptism in the waters of Thingvallavatn lake. This story gives the natural pool in particular a historical and cultural significance well beyond its modest physical size. The concrete swimming pool was built in 1948 by the local youth association and originally served as a swimming instruction pool for people living in the area. The newer pool, Sundlaugin Laugarnesi Birkimel, is the one currently open to visitors each summer. The site is also sometimes referred to as the Birkimelur swimming pool. The geothermal pools of Iceland are sometimes described as a form of geothermal pool in the local tradition, and Krosslaug represents a community-built version of that tradition in one of the most remote corners of the country.
Krosslaug is one of the better-maintained hot pools in the Westfjords. A small entry fee applies, and basic changing facilities and showers are available, though these may be inaccessible when no staff member is on site. A guesthouse called Bjarkarholt is approximately 200 metres from the pools. The site is open during summer and is genuinely quiet, as the location well off the main tourist circuits means visitor numbers remain low even in peak season.
Location & Access
Getting to Krosslaug
Krosslaug is located on Route 62, approximately 16 kilometres west of the village of Flokalundur on the south coast of the Westfjords. From Reykjavik, take the Ring Road north until Route 60, then follow Route 60 through the Westfjords until you reach the village of Flokalundur. At Flokalundur, turn west onto Route 62 and continue for approximately 16 kilometres. The pools are on the left side of the road and are not prominently signposted, so use GPS coordinates to find the exact turnoff. The coordinates are 65.51946, -23.405144. Alternatively, you can reach the Westfjords by ferry: take the ferry from Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula across Breidafjordur bay to Brjanslaekur, arriving approximately 10 miles from Krosslaug. The ferry allows you to bring your car and reduces the driving time significantly.
The total drive from Reykjavik by road is approximately 350 kilometres and takes around four to five hours. Flokalundur, which has a small hotel and restaurant, is the last stop for food before reaching the pools. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for the Westfjords in general because many of the roads in the region are unpaved and narrow, though Route 62 itself is a regular road. Visitors looking for hot springs near Patreksfjordur will find Krosslaug accessible as a short drive from that town. Patreksfjordur is approximately 30 minutes east of Krosslaug on the connecting roads and has petrol stations, a supermarket, and accommodation.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Krosslaug
Krosslaug suits travellers exploring the Westfjords who want a managed geothermal pool experience with basic facilities in a very remote coastal setting. The small entry fee and the presence of changing rooms and showers make it more comfortable than Iceland's completely wild pools, while the remote location and ocean views give it an atmosphere that commercial pools entirely lack. The concrete swimming pool is large enough for families and groups to use comfortably, and the natural hot pot alongside it adds variety. Families are well suited to the site given the changing facilities, the moderate temperature of 37 degrees, and the manageable pool size. The temperature is on the cooler end for a geothermal pool, which makes it appropriate for children and those who find the hotter springs too intense.
The site is genuinely quiet even in summer, as the Westfjords as a whole receive only around 10 percent of Iceland's tourist visitors. Couples and solo travellers who are prepared for the long drive to the Westfjords will almost certainly have the pools to themselves or share them with very few others. The geothermal pool tradition is deeply embedded in Icelandic culture, and Krosslaug preserves a community-built version of that tradition in a part of the country where it still functions as a local facility rather than a tourist attraction. Visitors interested in natural hot springs in Iceland with cultural and historical depth, rather than just a soak, will find the Viking baptism history of the natural pool a compelling part of the experience.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Krosslaug
Krosslaug is generally safe, and as a managed community pool the water quality is maintained to a reasonable standard. The temperature of 37 degrees Celsius is comfortable for extended soaking and does not pose the heat risk that some of Iceland's hotter wild pools do. That said, test the water before entering to verify current temperature, as natural geothermal sources can vary slightly. Rinse before entering either pool. Swimwear is required at Krosslaug, as the site is on a public road and visible to passing drivers.
The Westfjords region as a whole is one of the most remote inhabited areas of Iceland. The nearest substantial settlement is Patreksfjordur, approximately 30 minutes away by road. Mobile coverage can be limited in parts of the Westfjords. Always check weather forecasts before visiting, as the region can experience rapidly changing conditions including wind, fog, and rain. Check road conditions on the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website before setting out, and do not attempt mountain roads in the Westfjords without a 4WD vehicle and current road condition information. Flokalundur is the last fuel and food stop before Krosslaug coming from the east. The changing rooms are only accessible when a staff member is present, so arrive prepared to change in your car if necessary, particularly outside peak summer season or on quiet weekdays. The guesthouse at Bjarkarholt, approximately 200 metres from the pools, is a good contact point if you have any questions or difficulties on arrival.
