Quick FactsOverview
About Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool
Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool, Iceland, known in Icelandic as Reykjafjarðarlaug, is a free geothermal bathing site in Reykjarfjordur, a small side fjord of Arnarfjordur in the Westfjords. The site consists of a concrete swimming pool built by volunteers in 1975 and a natural hot spring pool located approximately 100 metres further from the road. The concrete pool runs at around 32 degrees Celsius and measures roughly 6 metres long. The natural spring pool runs at approximately 42 to 50 degrees Celsius and can be hotter depending on geothermal activity. A basic changing room is provided beside the concrete pool. Entry is free with a donation box on site.
Reykjafjardarlaug is positioned along Route 63 in the Arnarfjordur area of the Westfjords, making it a natural stopping point on the remote driving route between Dynjandi waterfall and Latrabjarg bird cliffs. The site has no caretaker; visitors are expected to leave no trace and contribute to maintenance via the donation box. The pool is open year-round but practical access depends entirely on Westfjords road conditions, which can be severe in winter and shoulder seasons. There are no showers at the site and facilities are minimal beyond the changing room. The fjord setting provides views of the surrounding mountains and open water.
Location & Access
Getting to Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool
Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool is on Route 63 in Reykjarfjordur, a side fjord of Arnarfjordur in the western Westfjords. From Bildudalur, follow Route 63 southeast along the fjord; the concrete pool is visible on the right-hand side of the road as you enter Reykjarfjordur. The natural spring is approximately 100 metres further from the road. The drive from Bildudalur takes around 30 minutes. Parking is available beside the pool with no fee currently documented. The pool is visible directly from Route 63 once you are in the right section of the fjord, making it easy to spot from the car.
Reaching Reykjafjardarlaug requires committing to the Westfjords road network, which involves long distances on narrow fjord roads. From Isafjordur, the regional capital around 97 km away, follow Route 61 south and turn onto Route 63 toward Arnarfjordur. Westfjords roads can be slow due to weather, wind, fog, and partially unpaved sections; always check road conditions at road.is before travelling and allow considerably more time than map distances suggest. The site fits naturally into a multi-day Westfjords itinerary on the route between Dynjandi waterfall to the north and Latrabjarg cliffs to the south, approximately 47 km and 76 km away respectively.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Reykjafjardarlaug Suits
Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool suits self-drive travelers already exploring the Westfjords who want a free, low-key geothermal soak beside a fjord with minimal facilities and genuine remoteness. It works best as a rest stop on the long drive between Dynjandi waterfall and the Latrabjarg cliffs, adding almost no extra effort to an itinerary already passing through Arnarfjordur. The two-pool format, with the cooler concrete pool for longer soaking and the hotter natural spring for a more intense experience, gives it more range than a single-temperature pot.
Free hot springs in the Westfjords are uncommon outside the donation-box model, and Reykjafjardarlaug is one of the most established in the region, built and maintained by the local community since 1975. The site rarely sees large crowds because of its remote location, and visitors who arrive outside peak summer hours often have both pools to themselves. Families are welcome and the concrete pool is more predictable for children than the natural spring, which runs significantly hotter. Keep children away from the natural spring pool at all times.
Wheelchair access is not documented for Reykjafjardarlaug. The site has a basic concrete pool beside a remote fjord road with no confirmed step-free entry, accessible changing room, or adapted infrastructure. Visitors with mobility requirements should note that facilities are minimal and the terrain around both pools is uneven and weather-exposed.
Safety & Etiquette
Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool Safety Tips
Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Pool is an unmanned, remote site with no lifeguard, no showers, and basic facilities. The main safety considerations are the extreme heat of the natural spring pool, the remote location far from medical services, unpredictable Westfjords weather, and the uneven terrain around both pools. The natural spring pool runs at 42 to 50 degrees Celsius and can occasionally be hotter; this is genuinely dangerous for unguarded entry and must be tested before every use.
Always test the natural spring pool with your hand or forearm before entering and do not enter if the temperature feels painfully hot. Keep sessions in the natural spring short, around five to ten minutes, and cool down in the concrete pool between rounds. Children must not use the natural spring pool unsupervised; the temperature is high enough to cause scalding. The concrete pool at around 32 degrees Celsius is far more suitable for family soaks and for longer sessions.
The Westfjords road network is the other major risk factor. Route 63 is a narrow fjord road affected by ice, fog, and strong wind; drive conservatively and check road.is before departing. Reykjafjardarlaug is approximately 97 km from Isafjordur, the nearest town with full services. Always carry a first aid kit, emergency food and water, warm clothing, and a fully charged phone when driving in the Westfjords. Leave no trace at the pool and contribute to the donation box to help maintain the facility for all future visitors.
