Seljavallalaug hot pool
Seljavallalaug hot pool
All over Iceland swimming pools are built in areas where there is geothermal hot water, mostly in towns and villages, but sometimes just out in the middle of nowhere.
Seljavallalaug is a swimming pool wedged against a rock face at the foot of Eyjafjallajokull in a dramatic setting.
The 25m long pool was built by local people in 1923 and it’s still in use. From the end of the road, it takes about 20 minutes to walk on a gravel path to get there.
Hot water runs continuously into the pool but algae grow fast in the hot water as no chemicals are added. The pool is unsupervised, so people enter at their own risk.
To get to Seljavallalaug, take Raufarfellsvegur, road no 242, and after 1km continue straight where the road changes its name to Seljavellir, road 231.
Drive for a further 2km to the end of the road, where the trail starts. Note that the road may not be feasible in winter.