Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

Really special place! May not compare to a hot spring proper, as the pipe providing the hot water doesn’t heat up the entire pool very well, but the experience of swimming outside in such a beautiful place is incomparable! The changing rooms are quite dirty, but for a free place, absolutely no complaints. The 20-minute walk was even more stunning around sunset and the pool was mostly empty around 8pm when I visited. Highly worth the trip!

So all the other reviews on here are pretty accurate, the pool is covered in algae and the dressing rooms are a mess… but that being said, this was one of the coolest adventures we went on. We went on a weekday, in the pouring rain, so not ideal conditions, but it made QUITE the journey😂 we were the only people there (on a random Thursday in March), and the views were BEAUTIFUL. So we braved the less than charming changing rooms and tiptoed into the warm pool and it was very worth it in our opinions. You just have to embrace the slime…. Also WARNING the “trail” was not easy for us to follow, and since it was raining we had to cross over some small streams so I think it took us almost 40 minutes to find it.

It was incredible! The water was great and the view even better. The water is mostly anything but hot, but still very pleasant and the part where the hot water comes in is really nice and hot. We went here end of april and the whole hour that we were in the pool there was no one around. I recommend coming a bit early, and don’t expect anything from the changing rooms, they are dirty and wet.

We went at night during early June, and the only warm part of the pool was right under the pipe that pours the hot water in, and the water is too deep to touch. The hike is 0.5 miles along loose rock and slippery terrain. The changing rooms are also not pretty but got the job done and kept us warm from the winds.

I think the experience is worth it ; it takes 20 min to walk there, walking on rocks in the middle of nowhere and finally you see the pool ! The water is warm but not hot. Not that many people. It’s very pretty and the water is clean (I think it’s dark cause the bottom is full of algae). But don’t think you’re gonna be able to change in a nice dressing room, they look more like a crack house ! We changed behind the building. Would be nice if they could do a little maintenance… but still worth it, I was glad I went in the water and saw this pool.

We were almost put off by the reviews but so glad we took the short walk up to the pool as it was glorious. We were in the water for over half an hour as it was a pleasant temperature and a very tranquil place to be. It was a calm day, air temperature of about -2°C, most importantly there was no wind to skim the heat off the water. The changing rooms aren't pleasant, but it's fine to change outside. There was a steady stream of people in and out of the water whilst we were there, it's definitely a popular spot, and no wonder as it's beautiful.

Disappointing. Much of the trail has collapsed (May 20, 2025) so to get there you are walking on unhewn rocks and dry River bed. The pool is packed with algae in the water and on the pool floor. The changing rooms have mounds of trash; someone has put wood slats overtop of the trash instead of collecting it. The pipes feeding the pool are busted and provide little warm water. The scenery and remoteness make up for the poor condition somewhat. I wish I had just picked a different trail to hike. I debated whether to put money in the collection box for care of the facility. It is clear the facility is not being cared for at all. In the end I put some coins in.

A highlight of our trip! We had a sunny, day and it was a wonderful 1 mile hike in to this vintage outdoor, hot spring-fed pool. The water is like pond water (natural sediments & a bit of algae), and the shallow end bottom is a bit slippery with algae and the deeper end with rocks. It’s comfortably warm (if you want it hotter, go towards the water piping in). Gorgeous views of the mountains, valley and river. So impressed it was built in 1923. Tip #1 - Stick to the lower path along the river since the upper path had a small avalanche that makes crossing it a bit treacherous. Tip #2: Avoid the changing rooms - wear your suit and change outside. (Suggestion to operators: provide garbage bags so we can help haul out some of the garbage in the changing rooms).