Quick FactsOverview
About Laugarskarð
Laugarskarð, Iceland is a geothermally heated public swimming pool in the town of Hveragerði in South Iceland, operated by the municipality and open year-round. The pool was built in 1938 by local volunteers and opened to the public that same year. When it was extended from 25 to 50 metres in 1963, it became the largest swimming pool in Iceland at the time, a title it held until Laugardalslaug in Reykjavík was completed. Today the 50 by 12 metre outdoor main pool retains that scale, alongside a children's wading pool, a cold tub, a hydro-massage hot tub, and a natural steam bath.
The most technically distinctive feature of the pool is its heating method. Laugarskarð is a flow-through pool heated directly by natural geothermal steam drawn from below the site, rather than by mixing geothermally heated water with cold water as most Icelandic pools do. This process maintains the pool's natural acidity level and keeps the water chemically unaltered, with no need for chlorine or other treatment agents beyond what the natural flow provides. The natural steam bath on site is built directly over a geothermal spring, making it one of the few steam rooms in Iceland that uses live geological activity rather than piped steam. The pool underwent renovations in 2021 that updated its facilities while preserving this geothermal character.
Hveragerði is a town known throughout Iceland for its unusually concentrated geothermal surface activity: steam vents, hot springs, and geothermally heated greenhouses are visible across the town and surrounding hillsides. The pool sits in this context, in a sheltered south-facing location north of the Varmá River. For visitors already in the area for the Reykjadalur hot river hike or other geothermal attractions near Hveragerði, the pool provides a complementary indoor and outdoor soaking option with reliable facilities a short walk from the town centre.
Location & Access
Getting to Laugarskarð
Laugarskarð is located at Laugaskarði, 810 Hveragerði, approximately 2 kilometres from the centre of Hveragerði town. From the Ring Road, Hveragerði is reached by taking the Hveragerði exit; from Reykjavík this is a drive of approximately 45 minutes covering around 45 kilometres east on Route 1. From Selfoss, the largest nearby town, the drive takes around 15 minutes heading east. Within Hveragerði, the pool is reached by following Reykjamörk road south from the town centre; the walk takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes on foot, or around 5 minutes by car.
Parking is available on site. The pool is also reachable by public bus: a bus service connects Reykjavík and the Hveragerði area, and a local stop near Reykjamörk puts visitors within a short walk of the entrance. The approach is on flat, paved ground. The pool complex sits in a sheltered position with good wind protection, facing south toward the Varmá valley and the surrounding mountains. To the east of the pool are two beach volleyball courts open to swimming guests. The pool house contains the changing rooms and showers, and a gym operated by local sports club Hamrar occupies part of the building.
Opening hours follow a seasonal schedule. Summer hours from 15 May to 14 September are Monday to Friday 06:45 to 21:30, Saturday and Sunday 09:00 to 19:00. Winter hours from 15 September to 14 May are Monday to Friday 06:45 to 20:30, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 17:30. Entry is paid; current pricing is available at the reception or through the official website. For visitors using Hveragerði as a base for hot springs near Hveragerði and the Golden Circle, the pool is a practical evening stop after the Reykjadalur hot river hike trailhead, which begins a short drive from town.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Laugarskarð
Laugarskarð suits a wide range of visitors, from lap swimmers and families with children to those seeking a relaxing soak after hiking or outdoor activity in the Hveragerði area. The 50-metre main pool accommodates lane swimmers and casual bathers simultaneously, and the warm shallow children's wading pool makes the complex practical for families with younger children. The hydro-massage hot tub offers a more therapeutic soaking option for visitors with tired muscles, and the natural steam bath provides a geothermal steam experience that is available at very few pools in Iceland.
Wheelchair accessibility is not formally confirmed for this facility in available documentation, and visitors with specific mobility requirements should contact the pool directly before visiting to confirm current access provisions. The pool is on flat ground and the approach from the car park is straightforward, but pool entry points and internal layout may vary and should be verified for individual needs. The 2021 renovation updated the facilities, but specific accessibility features are not documented in published sources.
The flow-through heating and chemical-free water may be of interest to visitors with skin sensitivities, as the pool maintains natural pH through its geothermal flow rather than chlorination. The sundlaugar.is pool directory and the official Hveragerði municipal pages carry current pricing, seasonal hours, and contact details. Staff are on duty during all opening hours, and a CCTV system operates across the pool area. All visitors are required to shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering any pool area, as is standard at all Icelandic public pools.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Laugarskarð
Laugarskarð is generally safe for all visitors, as a staffed, municipally operated pool with CCTV coverage and trained personnel on duty throughout opening hours. Water quality is maintained by the natural geothermal flow-through system, which continuously replaces pool water and keeps conditions within Icelandic health regulations without chemical additives. The natural steam bath is built over an active geothermal spring; while the environment inside is controlled and safe for healthy visitors, those with respiratory conditions, cardiovascular issues, or heat sensitivities should exercise caution and limit time in the steam room.
The hot tub is a hydro-massage type and operates at a temperature higher than the main pool. Extended soaking in hot water is not advisable for visitors who are pregnant, have heart conditions, or are sensitive to heat. Moving between the hot tub and the cold tub in sequence is a common practice at Icelandic pools and is generally well-tolerated by healthy adults, but first-time visitors should approach temperature changes gradually. The main pool at 50 metres is a standard outdoor swimming pool and requires basic swimming competence for use of the deeper sections; the children's pool is shallow and separate.
The pool sits in a sheltered valley environment. Wind protection is good due to the topography, but Icelandic weather can change quickly and outdoor temperature may be significantly lower than pool water temperature in winter. Coming prepared with a towel, flip-flops, and a warm layer for between pools is standard practice. The pool is also used by local children for swimming lessons in autumn and spring periods, and visitor numbers may be higher during these sessions.
Shower before entering any pool. This is a mandatory requirement at all Icelandic public pools and is enforced by staff at Laugarskarð. Swimwear is required in all pool areas. The changing rooms include lockers and shared shower facilities. Lockers may require a coin or token deposit. The gym in the building is operated by sports club Hamrar and has separate access arrangements from the pool. The beach volleyball courts to the east are available to pool guests and are free of charge during pool opening hours.
