Anne-Charlotte PasseraThe land of fire and ice still has a lot to offer, even during Winter and it’s not that hard to be whaowed with a simple day trip from Reykjavik.
When we travelled to Reykjavik, it was over New Years and we stayed there for 6 days. We had an amazing experience as we also met up there with my family from France.
The only draw back from visiting Iceland during that time of the year is that the daylight is scarce. Although there is plenty to do and see around Reykjavik, it’s hard to see it all on just a day trip since you only have about 5 hours worth of daylight.
Nonetheless, you can still make it work and enjoy yourself, even if it’s just on a day trip. However, if you want to make the most it and not feel like you are rushing to see everything before it gets dark, try to send the night at whichever place you’ll be visiting.
So, if you’re looking for a short day trip from Reykjavik, away from the hustle and bustle of all the tourists, here is something different to try and experience.
The hot springs of Reykjadalur
I had been looking forward to this expedition for quite some time. It didn’t disappoint aside from the fact that I didn’t get to take the picture I wanted. I guess I’m just not pretty enough. Nah, I just didn’t have enough time, but I swear to you that I did take a dip in it and it was wonderful!
Reykjadalur means Steam Valley in Icelandic, and is filled with hot springs, waterfalls and mud pools. During the winter, you’ll mostly see the hot springs.
How to get to the hot springs
Reykjadalur is about a 40 minutes drive from Reykjavik close to the town of Hveragerdi.
If you are driving yourself, take Route 1, and at the bottom of the hill in Hveragerdi, at the gas station, make a left. Drive straight through the town until you can’t no more. Easy peasy. It makes for a good half-day trip from Reykjavik.
Parking and access is FREE.
Practical Information
Thanks to a suggestion made by Doudou’s hotel clerk, we bought spikes at the nearby gaz station. It was worth the expense and the hassle. However, they do tend to come off so you have to stop a few times to readjust them. I think we would still be up there hadn’t we not.
Even if you have winter hiking shoes like the one I got from MEC, you’ll need some spikes, unless you want to slide down into a ravine. In the winter, the path that leads to the hot springs is extremely icy and slippery. Check the weather conditions before heading out there.
When you start your 3km trek up hill it’s not that bad, but once you come over the first bump it worsens. We saw people hiking with sneakers (again) WHAT THE FISH people!
Its winter, dress accordingly!
We started our hike a little after 10 a.m. and got to enjoy the sunrise over the valley. Although in summer you can arrive at dusk, it’s not recommended to do so in winter even with flash lights . It’s actually what I wanted to do but I’m glad that we ran late with our initial program. Since the path is very slippery and steep in some places already imagine walking it in the dark. You’ll be holding on to dear life on the edge of a slope. So stay on the path and pay attention to the signs.
The one benefit we got from people coming unprepared or less prepared than us is that we got to lose quite a few on the way. Thank goodness, the place would have been overcrowded.
What to pack
Don’t forget to pack up some snacks and water for your trek. We completely forgot. Don’t forget it, especially during the summer. There is a restaurant at the base of the trail but it was closed when we were there.
When we got back to Reykjavik around 2pm , we were famished!
Also, a bathing suit will be practical if you do want to take a dip in the hot springs in which case you’ll need a travel towel. However, keep your towel inside your backpack until you get out of the water as it will be freezing. Don’t forget to bring an extra bag to put your wet clothes in after your dip.
Flip flops will come in handy once you are undressed and need to get in and out of the hot stream.
Portable charger. That will come in handy because the further up you go the colder it will get. Your phone might die from the cold, so bring a charger and pocket warmers.
How long does it take to get to the hot springs?
The path through the mountain is 3km long give or take. Due to the path conditions and depending on who you are traveling with, it could take you over an hour to get there.
In our crew, we were 6 with an age range going from 7 to 51.
It took us over an hour to get there due to the slippery conditions and me being a paparazzi. It’s not that bad of a hike and you don’t need to be super fit to do it.
Take your time to enjoy the views and don’t rush it.
By the time we arrived at the stream, there was another group of 4 and 2 couple. So not too bad.
Hot Spring etiquette
It is recommended (and Big Boss didn’t listen) that once you get to the stream to start at the bottom and make your way up in order to adjust to the temperature. Pay attentions to the thermometer signs though. They indicate if the water is too hot or not to go into. You are not in the proper area of the stream until you see the wooden changing areas.
If you start at the top of the stream which is always less crowded, you’ll find that it is extremely HOT!!! So for a more pleasant experience and less complicated, start at the bottom.
Since Big Boss and Ioio were already in the water (at the top), I ended being their clothes bearer. Big Boss did come out to help and tried not to slip while doing so as obviously the temperature outside was quite different than inside the water. Haha, I told you so but you didn’t listen!
Don’t be shy
Word of wisdom or warning.
DO NOT leave your things on the ground as they will freeze and get stuck to it.
It makes for a pretty disgusting site with a bunch of frozen towels or socks laying around the ‘changing’ areas.
We were wiser and didn’t lose any item of clothing (at least not on purpose) or towel or whatever while there.
They are no real changing areas per se. Just two wooden walls making a + sign or x, whichever way you want to see it. You’ll have to undress in the wild behind those wooden boards give you a fake sense of privacy.
My advice. Hike up wearing your bathing suit. That will be one less thing to worry about.
Now, if you can come out of the water and successfully take your suit off without your feet turning into ice cubes, you should give yourself a gold medal. It is the least graceful but most hilarious view of all.
Will you be in Reykjavik for New Year’s Eve or are thinking about it? We give you 3 reasons right HERE why you should.
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