Quick FactsOverview
About Laugavallalaug
Laugavallalaug Iceland is a free natural geothermal pool located in Laugarvalladalur valley in the East Iceland highlands, approximately 100 kilometres from Egilsstadir and deep in the interior of the island. The spring is fed by geothermal heat connected to seismic activity on the east side of the Kverkfjoll volcanic system, where water runs along volcanic fissures to reach the surface as a low-temperature geothermal system. The valley stands out visually from the surrounding highland desert because of unusually lush vegetation and bright green moss that grows here due to the warmth from below, creating a sharp contrast with the barren lava sand and volcanic ash of the wider area. A large sinter slab covers part of the area, indicating that geothermally heated water has been reaching the surface here for a very long time.
The defining feature of Laugavallalaug is its hot waterfall, which makes it unique among Iceland's natural geothermal pools. Hot spring water cascades down into a shallow basin approximately 20 square metres in area and 50 centimetres deep, at a temperature of around 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. The waterfall functions as a natural warm shower. Two further pools lie below the main pool, fed partly by the cooler river running nearby, at temperatures typically between 32 and 38 degrees. The entire site is simple and entirely unmanaged in the commercial sense, with no entry fee and no scheduled opening hours. In 2019, a small car park was built on the east side of the river, a footbridge was installed, and a basic changing cabin was added near the hot stream to manage the growing visitor traffic. These were the first and only permanent improvements made to the site. The valley is one of the Bru Valleys known as Bruardalir. Near the car park stands a small cabin with information about the valley's history, and the ruins of a farmhouse from the early twentieth century are still visible nearby, a reminder of a brief and ultimately failed attempt to settle this remote highland area in around 1900.
The site is accessible only by summer F-roads and requires a proper 4WD vehicle. It is one of the most rewarding natural hot springs in Iceland for visitors prepared for the access challenge, and it can be combined with visits to nearby attractions including Hafrahvammagljufur canyon and Studlagil canyon. Egilsstadir is the practical base for this part of East Iceland and is the nearest settlement with fuel, food, and accommodation.
Location & Access
Getting to Laugavallalaug
Laugavallalaug is reached via F-road F910 in the East Iceland highlands and requires a 4WD vehicle. The easiest approach is from Egilsstadir heading south-west on Route 95 for about 11 kilometres, then west on Route 931 crossing Lagarfljot lake, then south-west on Route 910. Route 910 is fully paved until the Karahnjukar hydroelectric dam, which is a worthwhile stop in itself. From the dam, the road designation changes to F910, which is an unpaved highland track. Continue on F910 for approximately 7 to 8 kilometres until you reach a four-way intersection. Turn left at this intersection, which is signposted for Hafrahvammagljufur canyon in the opposite direction. From there, continue approximately 1.5 to 2 kilometres to reach the small car park by the river. From the car park, cross the footbridge, installed in 2019, and follow the path approximately 400 metres to the pools.
A second approach via Route 923 from the east allows a stop at Studlagil canyon along the way, which many visitors combine with Laugavallalaug on the same day. This route involves a stretch of bumpy F910 heading south. A third approach from the Askja area is longer and more challenging with potential river crossings. All approaches on F910 are restricted to 4WD vehicles and are open only during the summer season, typically from around June through September. Road conditions should be checked on the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website before setting out. The total journey from Egilsstadir takes around two hours each way. Visitors looking for hot springs near Egilsstadir that combine a geothermal soak with a highland landscape drive will find Laugavallalaug unmatched in that specific combination within East Iceland.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Laugavallalaug
Laugavallalaug suits experienced travellers who are comfortable navigating Iceland's highland F-roads and who want a genuinely remote, entirely unmanaged wild geothermal pool experience. The access requirements are significant: a 4WD vehicle is essential, F-roads are open only in summer, the round trip from Egilsstadir takes around four hours of driving, and the site is approximately 100 kilometres from the nearest town with services. This is not a site for casual day visitors or travellers without highland driving experience. That said, the access via Route 910 from the Karahnjukar side is among the easier approaches to a highland hot spring in Iceland, with no river crossings on that specific route and a well-maintained paved road almost to the dam.
For visitors already planning a trip to the Karahnjukar area, Studlagil canyon, or Hafrahvammagljufur canyon, adding Laugavallalaug requires only a short additional drive and is a natural combination. The site is also close to a small informal campsite, making an overnight stay possible for those who want to experience the valley in the evening light or early morning. Solo travellers, couples, and small groups of experienced hikers or road trippers in Iceland will find this to be one of the most memorable natural hot springs in Iceland they will encounter, precisely because of its remoteness and the unusual character of the warm waterfall. Families with children, travellers without 4WD, and anyone with mobility limitations should not attempt this site.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Laugavallalaug
Laugavallalaug is a remote area natural site with no emergency services accessible for many kilometres and no mobile phone coverage in the immediate area. The most critical safety consideration is the access road: F910 is a highland F-road restricted to 4WD vehicles, and attempting it in a 2WD or a small underpowered 4WD risks getting stranded in the highland interior. Always check road conditions on the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website, safetravel.is, and the relevant weather forecast before setting out. Inform someone of your planned route and expected return time before leaving Egilsstadir.
At the pool itself, test the water temperature before entering. The waterfall source can be very hot, at or above 40 degrees Celsius, and the temperature immediately below the falls can be higher than the rest of the pool. Enter the basin gradually and test with your hand before submerging. The pool is shallow, around 50 centimetres deep, and the base is rocky. Move carefully when stepping in and out. The cooler pools below the main pool are fed partly by the adjacent cold river and are significantly lower in temperature, suitable for cooling down between soaks. Do not enter the upper pool above the main waterfall, which is often well above safe bathing temperature. The stream crossing near the car park has a footbridge installed in 2019, making it unnecessary to ford the water, but take care on wet rocks when approaching the pools. There are no toilets at the site, so plan accordingly before leaving the main road. Take all rubbish with you when you leave, and respect the changing cabin that was installed to improve conditions for visitors. Leave no trace completely.
