Quick FactsOverview
About Strútslaug
Strútslaug Iceland is a free natural geothermal pool located in the South Highlands, near the source of the Holmsa River, positioned between the Torfajokull caldera volcano to the northwest and the Myrdalsjokull glacier to the southeast. The pool is also known as Holmsarbotnalaug. Its name translates roughly as the Ostrich Pool, a reference whose origin remains unexplained, as there have never been ostriches in Iceland. The pool sits in a landscape of moss-covered valleys, dark highland sands, and distant glacier ice caps, and is considered by many who have visited it to be one of the most remote and rewarding natural soaking spots accessible in Iceland.
The pool measures approximately 8.5 by 5 metres, divided into two sections by a wall of natural stone that has accumulated over time. The maximum depth is around 50 to 100 centimetres. The temperature ranges from 37 to 43 degrees Celsius, with the warmest areas concentrated nearest the geothermal source. The pool sits directly alongside a cold water river, and the juxtaposition of geothermally heated water and the cold mountain stream gives the site its characteristic highland atmosphere. There are no changing facilities, no shelters, and no management of any kind. The pool is free to enter and open to anyone who can reach it during the summer season when the F-roads are open. The number of visitors is extremely low given the access difficulty, and solitude at the pool is almost guaranteed. The site is one of the most remote natural hot springs in Iceland that can be legally and safely bathed in, making it a bucket-list destination for experienced highland travellers.
Strútslaug is situated within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve area. Nearby attractions for those making the journey include the Maelifell volcano, a striking black cone mountain visible from the approach roads, and the Markarfljotsgljufur canyon, one of Iceland's most dramatic and least-visited highland canyons. Both can be combined with a Strútslaug visit on a multi-day highland trip. Natural hot springs in Iceland of this calibre and remoteness are rare, and Strútslaug consistently ranks among experienced visitors' favourites.
Location & Access
Getting to Strútslaug
Strútslaug is one of the most challenging natural pools in Iceland to reach. The most accessible route begins from the Ring Road east of Vik, turning north onto Hrífunesvegur (Road 209) and then west onto F232. From F232, a turn leads toward Maelifell mountain via Maelifellssandur. Past Maelifell, you cross the Brennivinskvísl river and take a turn north onto the Strutur dirt track. This dirt track is rougher than a standard F-road and requires a well-equipped 4WD vehicle; a super jeep is strongly recommended. The total distance on rough roads from the Ring Road is approximately 50 kilometres. An alternative approach uses F210 (Fjallabaksleið syðri), the southern highland track, which can be reached from either the west near Landmannalaugar or from the east. F210 involves several river crossings of varying difficulty and demands serious highland driving experience.
At the end of the Strutur dirt track, there is a small car park near Strutur hut. From the hut, a hiking trail of approximately 5 kilometres leads to the pool, passing through moss-covered valleys and alongside river streams. The hike takes around 1.5 hours at a normal walking pace and gains little elevation, with no steep or exposed sections. Despite its length, it is described as an easy hike in terms of terrain. The pool is not visible from a distance and the final approach can be unclear, so using GPS coordinates for the pool at 63.874937, -18.944599 is important. Visitors looking for hot springs near Vik will find Strútslaug to be the most remote option in the region, accessible only to those equipped and experienced for highland F-road driving.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Strútslaug
Strútslaug suits only experienced Iceland highland travellers who have a well-equipped 4WD or super jeep, are comfortable with F-road driving and river crossings, can complete a 5-kilometre hike in highland conditions, and understand the isolation they will face once on site. This is not a pool for first-time Iceland visitors, families with young children, or those without highland driving experience. The access route via F210 or the Strutur track involves serious river crossings that, if misjudged, can strand a vehicle or cause severe damage. Most rental car insurance does not cover damage sustained in river crossings, and the consequences of a vehicle failure this deep in the highland are significant.
For those who do have the experience and equipment, Strútslaug offers something almost no other pool in Iceland can: guaranteed solitude in a genuine highland wilderness setting, a large naturally warm pool with a unique stone-divided layout, and a surrounding landscape of moss, black sand, and glacier ice that is unlike anything accessible via normal roads. Epic Iceland, one of the most authoritative Icelandic hot spring sources, rates Strútslaug among their personal favourite hot springs. The hike itself is also rewarding for the landscape it passes through, with a character quite different from the more visited highland areas. Hiring a local guide or booking a guided super jeep tour is a strongly recommended option for those who want to reach Strútslaug without the full risk and planning burden of an independent F-road expedition. Natural hot springs in Iceland at this level of remoteness reward the effort precisely because so few people make it.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Strútslaug
Strútslaug is a remote area pool in one of the most isolated parts of Iceland, and the primary safety concern is the access route rather than the pool itself. F210 and the Strutur track both involve river crossings that must be assessed carefully before attempting. Never cross a river in Iceland without first exiting the vehicle and wading the crossing on foot to check depth, current strength, and substrate. River levels can rise rapidly after rainfall or glacier melt, making crossings that were safe on the way in impassable on the way out. Study river crossing techniques before your trip, check road conditions on vegagerdin.is, and do not attempt these crossings alone or in a vehicle without high ground clearance. Register your route on safetravel.is before departing and leave arrival and return time details with someone at your accommodation.
At the pool, test the water temperature carefully before entering. The spring can reach 43 degrees Celsius near the source, which is at or above the threshold for safe extended soaking. Enter gradually and check the temperature at multiple points across the pool. The cold river alongside the pool provides natural cooling and can be used to reduce body temperature between soaks. The muddy bottom shifts when disturbed, so move slowly once in the water to avoid clouding the pool and displacing the soil. There are no toilets or facilities of any kind, so plan accordingly before leaving the main track. Take all rubbish with you without exception. Do not camp at the pool itself; the Strutur hut nearby provides a designated camping option for those spending the night. Changing in the open is standard at this pool. Leave no trace completely, including food scraps, which can attract ravens and affect the remote ecosystem.
