Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

"💎 The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a hidden gem. 💰 And free!! (other than paying for parking). ✌️ I’ve done the entire hike twice, once in March and once in July. 💨 Both times, it was quite windy, and while not too steep, most of the hike to the thermal river involves a lot of up! 👉 Follow the red and yellow markers on the trail. 👙The changing area is NOT private; there are some simple wooden blinds which provide some cover. 🌟 TIP: Bring a travel towel!! 🚶‍➡️ Did this hike in July on a super rainy and windy day. 😕 When I arrived, the thermal river was moving quickly, so I could not sit and soak... but I still enjoyed the scenic hike. 😊 Even if you don't want to do the entire hike, recommend doing at least the first half hour. ❄️ Have visited the area in early February when it was snow covered but did not attempt the hike. Use caution in the winter in case the trail is icy. 📸 PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES: 👉 The most dramatic photo spots are right at the start, as you walk up past steaming geothermal vents and bubbling mud. It's quite otherworldly! ⏰ TIMING: The hike, with pauses for photos is an hour and 15 minutes, one way. 💦 Spend a hour soaking in the thermal river. 📸 NOTE: The photos shown with the muddy brown water are from the day when it was raining really hard. On other days, the water is very calm. "

"After hiking uphill for nearly an hour, you're ready for a reward. A coastline, a gorge, a valley, or a waterfall usually works well. The Reykjadalur Valley has something else up its sleeve, though. How does a soak in a thermal river sound? The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a colorful area with grayish-blue mud pools, green grass (or snow in the winter), purple wildflowers, and orange rocks. But it's the blue water, flowing down the Varmá (Warm River), that really shocks you. The water is not only warm, but downright hot, the higher you climb. It's a popular spot to strip down, relax, and soak. Wooden boardwalks (careful, they're slippery) line the river. Wooden partitions act as makeshift changing rooms. While bathers get to enjoy this beautiful, free, natural area as long as they want. Note: Given how close it is to Reykjavík, this hot-spring river is very popular. Go early, late (taking advantage of the midnight sun), or during the winter (don't forget your crampons) to avoid the crowds."

"Only 40 minutes away from Reykjavík you can find one of the most popular hiking trail in Iceland, it combines a scenic walk, a high waterfall, geothermal springs and bathing in a hot spring, what more do you need? A short walk of only one hour will bring you to the hot river in Reykjadalur smoky valley. There are two paths that lead to bathing in the hot river, the longer path is the most popular and is 3.5 km in each direction and begins at the cafe next to the parking lot. A shorter path is about 1.5 km in each direction, but reaching the beginning of the path is only possible for 4x4 vehicles (even small ones) since the dirt road leading to the beginning of the route is quite messy and usually this route is only accessible in the summer."