Relaxation in Nature: Hrunalaug Hot Spring Adventure

History and Formation

The hot spring has been around for a long time, with water coming up from the ground naturally. People started building pools in the 1890s when a farmer named Stefán Jónsson made the first one, called the Laundry pool, on his farm. Another pool for sheep came in 1935, and they added a bigger one for visitors in 2017. It’s still the same family looking after it, which is pretty cool.

The hot water is natural, heated by the earth to about 37°–38°C. The pools are built by hand to hold the water. The old Laundry pool was for washing, and the newer one is for people to sit in today.

Locals and travelers like it because it’s calm, and the water feels amazing. It’s not as busy as the big hot springs, so it’s kind of a hidden spot. However, back in 2015, it almost got torn down due to too many people visiting, and the owners thought about closing it, but it’s still there, and people keep going.

Key Information About Hrunalaug

There are some essential things to know before going, like how to get there, price, facilities, etc.

Location & How to Get There

It’s at Ás Hrunamannahreppur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland, about 100 km from Reykjavik. It’s near the Golden Circle, a road with popular stops, so adding to your itinerary is easy.

The best way to go is with a car rental (if you don’t have your own car). That way, you can stop in as many spots as you want along the way, and you can stay inside the water without worrying about tours or bus schedules.

If you’re driving, take the Ring Road (Route 1) east from the city for around an hour, then turn left onto Route 30 toward Flúðir—it’s another 20–30 minutes. From Flúðir, follow signs or a map for a short 5–10 minute drive north to the farm Ás; the hot spring is just past a small parking lot.

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Facilities

It’s pretty basic. There are three pools—one from the 1890s, one from 1935, and one from 2017. Two small huts are now available temporarily to get changed, with hangers and baskets, but no lockers, so keep your stuff safe. A building by the parking lot has bathrooms.

Price

It costs 3000 ISK ($22) for adults, 2000 ISK ($15) for kids 11–15, and nothing for kids 10 or under. You get 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you want it private, it’s 60,000 ISK ($445) for a private hour outside regular times, or more during the day.

Opening Hours

Summer is 9:00–23:00, from May to August. Fall and spring are 9:00–21:00, from September to October and mid-March to April. Winter is 10:00–20:00, November to mid-March. Look at hrunalaug.is to see if it’s open since it can dry up sometimes.

Articles Provided vs. What to Bring Yourself

They have towels to rent and sell snacks and water. Bring a swimsuit and warm clothes for after, since it’s cold out there. Bringing your own towel and snacks can save you some money.

Why Is Hrunalaug Hot Spring Worth Visiting?

Hrunalaug Hot Spring is a simple, peaceful spot that mixes history, nature, and quiet in a unique way. It has three pools—one from the 1890s, one from 1935, and one from 2017—that show how people have used Iceland’s hot water over time. The water stays around 37°–38°C, warm enough to relax your muscles and feel good on your skin because of the minerals in it. It’s not like the busy hot springs that are full of people. Here, it’s calm, and you’re surrounded by Iceland’s wide-open land, with just the wind or birds to listen to.

There aren’t things like lockers or big changing rooms, but that’s part of what makes it nice—it feels basic and real, like you’re closer to nature. If you want it even quieter, you can book a private time where it’s just you, no one else around. It costs more—60,000 ISK before or after regular hours, 120,000 ISK before 2 p.m. during the day, or 180,000 ISK after 2 p.m., plus 30,000 ISK for every extra half hour. You need at least an hour.

It’s great for a day trip from Reykjavik since it’s only 100 km away, and it’s also easy to fit into a longer trip since it’s near the Golden Circle.

Best Time to Visit Hrunalaug

Summer, from May to August, is a good time because the country has almost 24 hours of sunlight thanks to the Midnight Sun, and the weather is nicer. Plus, the opening hours go from 9:00–23:00. Evenings offer pretty sunsets over the hills.

Spring, from mid-March to April, offers nice weather, fewer people, and decent daylight, though it might still feel chilly. The pools are open from 9:00 to 21:00. Autumn, from September to October, also runs from 9:00 to 21:00. It has cooler air and some colorful leaves, but it can get rainy.

Winter, November to March, from 10:00–20:00, is calm and you might see the Northern Lights, but the water can dry up if it’s been dry for a while, so look at hrunalaug.is before going, just in case.

What to Bring

Here’s what you’ll need for a trip to Hrunalaug Hot Spring. It’s basic stuff to keep you comfortable since the place is pretty simple.

• Swimsuit: You need one to get in the water.
• Towel: They rent them, but bringing your own saves money.
• Warm clothes: It’s cold when you get out, so have a jacket or sweater.
• Snacks and water: They sell some, but your own keeps it easy and cheap.
• Bag for wet stuff: Something to carry your swimsuit after.

Tips for Visiting Hrunalaug

A few things to know before you go to Hrunalaug can make your experience smoother.

• Look at hrunalaug.is before you leave to make sure the water’s there, as it can dry up sometimes.
• Get there early if you want it quiet since it’s small and only fits a few people.
• You can pay with both card and cash.
• Change quickly in the huts and keep your stuff close—there are no lockers.
• Stick to the 1 hour 30 minute limit so everyone gets a turn.

Things to Do in and Around Hrunalaug Hot Spring

Hrunalaug’s spot in southern Iceland makes it easy to do more than just soak. Here are some things you can do nearby, all pretty simple and worth a try if you’re around.

Golden Circle Highlights

The Golden Circle is a driving loop in southern Iceland, about 230 km if you start in Reykjavik, and it takes you to Geysir, Gulfoss, and Thingvellir—Hrunalaug’s close, so you’re already near it. Geysir’s 30 km away, and you can see Strokkur shoot water up high every few minutes, with a little café there too. Gulfoss is a big, noisy waterfall with paths to get near—just wear a jacket for the spray. Thingvellir is one of the three national parks in the country about 70 km, where you can walk between rocks and see where old meetings happened, plus there’s a stop with a map and bathrooms.

Flúðir Village

Flúðir is just a few minutes from Hrunalaug and has places to eat with local food like soup or bread. There’s a hotel, Icelandair Hotel Fludir, where you can sit and rest if you need a break. It’s a small place, so it’s quiet and feels like a regular Icelandic town.

Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon is another hot spring close by, not far from Flúðir, and it’s bigger than Hrunalaug. It’s got a more open setup with a little café, so you can see how it’s a bit more mainstream. You can swim there too, and it’s warm all year.

Outdoor Adventures

The hills around Hrunalaug are good for walking, with paths that aren’t too hard to follow. You can ride Icelandic horses—there are people nearby who set up trips for that. If you like water, kayaking’s an option too, since the rivers and lakes are clean and calm enough to paddle on.

Conclusion

Hrunalaug Hot Spring is a simple, quiet spot that gives you a taste of Iceland’s past and natural warmth. With its old pools and calm setting, it’s a nice break from busier places, easy to reach near Flúðir and the Golden Circle. Whether you go for a quick soak or add it to a bigger trip, it’s a real piece of Iceland worth seeing. Just bring what you need and follow the rules to keep it around for others.

Frequently Asked Questions

To answer any remaining queries, here are some frequently asked questions about Hrunalaug hot spring in Iceland