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How to Get to Hrunalaug Hot Springs in Iceland

Hrunalaug Hot Springs in Iceland, located just a little ways off the Ring Road, is a really beautiful hot spring in Iceland, with rolling green hills all around, grazing sheep, and several natural pools perfect for a soak.

I definitely recommend putting this one on your Iceland itinerary, and this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Hrunalaug Hot Springs – how to get there, what to expect, and more!

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About the Hrunalaug Hot Springs

This is one of the best hot springs in Iceland, and it’s a little lesser known, and because it’s a little bit away from the Ring Road, it’s much quieter than other popular locations. Though you probably won’t have it all to yourself, you’ll have a little more privacy! Before you go, make sure to learn about hot spring etiquette!

At the hot springs, you’ll find a few different pools to soak in – the one that’s higher up is the warmest, and it gets cooler as you go down.

The pools at Hrunalaug Hot Springs, with hills in the background.

The pool at the top was my favorite – it was the perfect temperature, and the water was nice and clear. The lower pool was muddier (which is totally fine – that’s nature for ya!) and a little cooler, which was nice when the first pool got too warm.

The Hrunalaug Hot Springs have a nice little changing room (but it’s open on one side so it’s not 100% private), with hooks and benches for storing your stuff while you soak. There’s also a tiny little pool adjacent to the changing room – perfect for one or two people at a time!

The changing room at  Hrunalaug Hot Springs.

Leave No Trace at Hrunalaug Hot Springs

The Hrunalaug Hot Springs are privately owned – and the owners of this land are kind enough to share it with us! That means it’s super important to keep it clean and to respect the land, as the springs have temporarily closed before due to people not being respectful.

Anytime you’re outdoors, whether you’re a beginner hiker or an experienced adventurer, it’s essential that you practice Leave No Trace (LNT). LNT is a set of seven principles that help us understand our impact on the outdoors – because while we usually have good intentions, the environment is more fragile than we think, and one snap-second decision can cause damage to the environment that will take the earth years, even decades to repair.

While I firmly believe everyone deserves to enjoy these amazing spots, do your part to make sure it stays clean and beautiful! Iceland is a popular tourist destination, so overcrowding really takes a toll on nature, especially when people don’t follow LNT. It can also lead to places like this, which are privately owned by Icelandic families, to close forever.

Leave No Trace means enjoying the outdoors without disrupting nature, as much as it’s possible to do so. Here are the 7 principles of LNT, and how they apply when you visit the Hrunalaug Hot Springs!

  • Plan ahead and prepare – read this guide, and make sure you know what to expect!
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces â€“ there are some trails around the hot springs that you can take. If you want to do this, make sure to stay on the trail to avoid trampling grasses and plants!
  • Dispose of waste properly â€“ don’t leave trash, or anything else, behind. There are no trash cans at the hot spring, so pack it out!
  • Leave what you find â€“ I know it can be tempting to take a cool rock or pick a flower, but leave these things where they belong! Animals often use these, and if everyone takes one, the area won’t be as pretty.
  • Minimize campfire impacts â€“ no campfires are allowed at the hot springs.
  • Respect wildlife â€“ never approach wildlife, and never feed the animals! There isn’t much wildlife in Iceland, but there are a lot of sheep near the hot springs – they’re really cute, but give them plenty of space. Don’t stress them out!
  • Be considerate of other visitors â€“ this place isn’t as popular as some other hot springs in Iceland, but you’ll likely be sharing it with a few other travelers. The owners ask that you limit your stay to about an hour and a half to prevent overcrowding and give others a chance to enjoy Hrunalaug!

What to Bring to Hrunalaug Hot Springs

When you go to Hrunalaug Hot Springs, here’s what you’ll need to bring!

A view of the rolling green hills at  Hrunalaug Hot Springs.

Bathing Suit

A bathing suit isn’t required to soak in the hot springs of Iceland – nudity is a little more normal in most European countries than it is here in the US! That being said, everyone I saw at the Hrunalaug Hot Springs was wearing a bathing suit – but it’s up to you.

I love bathing suits from Aerie – every one I’ve owned has been amazing and super comfortable! Backcountry has cute bathing suits too, and I like to wear some swim shorts for extra coverage.

Hiking Shoes

There isn’t any hiking required to get to Hrunalaug Hot Springs, as it’s just a short walk from the parking lot, but there are some trails around the pools that you may want to take!

My favorite hiking boots are my Danner boots – they’re cute, comfortable, and waterproof! I also love hiking in my Luna Barefoot sandals, and I wore them to Hrunalaug – they’re easy to slip on and off, which was great for the hot springs.

Rain boots are another great option for muddy or wet conditions, and are definitely the easiest to clean.

Bonus Tip: A lot of these links are for my favorite place to buy outdoor gear – Backcountry. If you install the free Lolli extension on your browser, you can earn free Bitcoin when you shop online at certain retailers, including Backcountry. You can transfer it to a crypto wallet, or just cash out to USD in your bank account.

Layers

Though the walk to Hrunalaug Hot Springs is short, you’ll definitely want some warm clothes to change into when you’re wet after soaking in the hot springs and need to go back to your car. Or, if you want to hike some of the trails around the pools, some rain gear will definitely come in handy.

The Marmot Minimalist Jacket is a great lightweight, waterproof option. For the cold, I love my Columbia puffy jacket – it’s lightweight, but keeps me warm. It’s also water resistant! For added warmth and layering, a Patagonia fleece is always a good addition.

Backpack

When I’m bringing my camera gear, my favorite backpack is the Alex Strohl Mountain Light. It’s definitely the best camera bag out there for hiking with photo gear. If you don’t need storage for camera stuff, I recommend an Osprey Hikelite. If you aren’t bringing very much and just want a day bag, I love my Topo Designs Y-Pack for carrying everyday essentials!

While you can leave your stuff in the covered changing room, where it won’t get wet, if you want to hike the trails around the hot spring, it’s important to have a way to keep your stuff dry if you bring your backpack with you, since Iceland is often rainy! The Mountain Light backpack is waterproof on it’s own, which is super handy. The Osprey Hikelite comes with a rain cover that you can put over the backpack. If your backpack isn’t waterproof or doesn’t have a rain cover, I definitely recommend bringing a dry bag for anything that can’t get wet!

Hydration!

Especially when you’re hiking or exploring outdoors, it’s important to stay hydrated! Single use water bottles are, of course, terrible for the environment, so avoid that and bring a reusable one!

For hiking, the CamelBak water reservoirs are convenient and easy – they can fit in your hiking backpack for water on the go. Nalgene water bottles are great for day to day, and if you want an insulated water bottle to keep your water cold and refreshing, Hydro Flasks are the best!

How to Get to Hrunalaug Hot Springs

Getting to the parking lot for the Hrunalaug Hot Springs is pretty easy! You’ll need to drive there – and while part of it will be on a dirt road, the road is well maintained, so you won’t need a 4×4 since there are no F-roads to drive on.

Hrunalaug Hot Springs is close to the town of Flúðir in Southern Iceland, about an hour and a half from Reykjavik. From the Ring Road, you’ll turn onto Route 30 a little after Selfoss. Continue towards Flúðir, and turn right onto Hrunavegur (Route 344). This is where the gravel road begins, so drive carefully! Continue on this road, then turn right onto Kaldabaksvegur. Soon after, you’ll make the first right onto Sólheimar. Across from some sheep will be the Hrunalaug Hot Springs parking lot.

Once you park, you’ll need to pay the fee – either in the collection box, or to the attendant if they are there. After you pay the fee, you’ll walk a little to the hot springs – there’s a path from the parking lot, and as soon as you get over the hill, you’ll see the pools!

Hrunalaug Parking Lot Coordinates: 64.1332992,-20.2614987

Sheep grazing on the grass at  Hrunalaug Hot Springs.
The trail to Hrunalaug Hot Springs.

The Fee for Hrunalaug Hot Springs

There is a fee to soak at the Hrunalaug Hot Springs. When I was here, there was a person collecting the fee – but I also saw a box for money, so this is what you would use if the attendant isn’t there when you visit! She accepted ISK, USD, and Euros, and it cost 7000 ISK, 10 USD, or 10 Euros. It is cheapest to pay with ISK, and she also told us that Paypal is also an option, but cash is best.

Me sitting in the pool at the Hrunalaug Hot Springs.

Where to Stay Near Hrunalaug Hot Springs

Once you’re done soaking, you’ll need a place to stay – and there are plenty of options close to the Hrunalaug Hot Springs! You can find a campsite nearby, or stay in one of the hotels in Flúðir.

At the Dalabyggd Cottages, you can stay in a private cottage with amazing views. The Hotel Fludir is a modern hotel with a restaurant serving Icelandic food, and you can even have the unique experience of staying in a tower!

For more places to stay near the Hrunalaug Hot Springs, check out this map! Be sure to change the dates to see all the available options.

Booking.com

More Adventures Near Hrunalaug Hot Springs

To find more things to do near Hrunalaug Hot Springs, be sure to check out these Iceland itineraries! Close to these hot springs is Thingvellir National Park, where you can scuba dive the Silfra Fissure – a really incredible experience! Or, for another hot spring, continue on to Landmannalaugar or to Hveravellir, or hike the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.

More posts:

If you’ve been to this hot spring and have any tips, or if you’re planning a trip and have any questions, leave them in a comment below!

Pin any of these photos to save this guide to the Hrunalaug Hot Springs for later!

A Pinterest graphic that says "Guide to Hrunalaug Hot Springs in Iceland."
A Pinterest graphic that says "Guide to Hrunalaug Hot Springs in Iceland."
A Pinterest graphic that says "Guide to Hrunalaug Hot Springs in Iceland."

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