Reykjadalur (Steam Valley) - hot river bathing - Grænsdalur loop
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.71 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,572 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,572 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,205 ft
- TrailRank
-
48
4.7
- Min elevation
- 212 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 3 hours 42 minutes
- Coordinates
- 404
- Uploaded
- June 28, 2015
- Recorded
- June 2015
near Hveragerði, Suðurland (Lýðveldið Ísland)
Viewed 9354 times, downloaded 354 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
First off, this is an amazing hike just 45min drive from Reykjavik, if you have the time, definitely do it.
Start the hike at the Dalakaffi parking spot. I've seen people walk to the warm river in Flip-flops but for this loop you need proper hiking boots(some areas are very muddy, ankle deep). The first part to the bathing area is easy, the ascent to the viewpoint is a bit steep and I was glad I brought my walking poles. Go the same way back to the bathing area but follow a different path to your left up the hill. This is still a marked track, not as well maintained but marked with blue signposts. At some point the marked path goes in a different direction and you have to find your own way along the river back to the parking lot. This is the adventurous bit of the hike. There's a little path used by sheep and some humans but it's not always visible. I was glad I had the track on my gps. At two places you have to cross the river. We managed to cross the river both times without getting wet feet but takes a while to find a good spot to cross. You walk by many mud pools and geotermal spots, some very small holes in the ground that seem to be very hot, so watch were you go.
I feel that the 2nd part of the hike is even better than getting from the carpark to the bathing area. The colours of the hills are a bit Landmannalaugar-like + there's a lot of geothermal activity. Just be carefull and don't die ;-) Have fun.
Start the hike at the Dalakaffi parking spot. I've seen people walk to the warm river in Flip-flops but for this loop you need proper hiking boots(some areas are very muddy, ankle deep). The first part to the bathing area is easy, the ascent to the viewpoint is a bit steep and I was glad I brought my walking poles. Go the same way back to the bathing area but follow a different path to your left up the hill. This is still a marked track, not as well maintained but marked with blue signposts. At some point the marked path goes in a different direction and you have to find your own way along the river back to the parking lot. This is the adventurous bit of the hike. There's a little path used by sheep and some humans but it's not always visible. I was glad I had the track on my gps. At two places you have to cross the river. We managed to cross the river both times without getting wet feet but takes a while to find a good spot to cross. You walk by many mud pools and geotermal spots, some very small holes in the ground that seem to be very hot, so watch were you go.
I feel that the 2nd part of the hike is even better than getting from the carpark to the bathing area. The colours of the hills are a bit Landmannalaugar-like + there's a lot of geothermal activity. Just be carefull and don't die ;-) Have fun.
Waypoints
Waypoint
932 ft
hot river bathing area with boardwalk and changing walls
Waypoint
1,168 ft
Viewpoint
Waypoint
779 ft
end of the marked track
Comments (3)
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I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Easy
Great hike, it's a must for everyone.
Really nice hike! Went to the warm river by following the “tourist-highway” . Lovely to go back the other way around. Beautiful hike and no other people 👍
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Good trail