Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring in Iceland: The Kind of Hot Water You Want to Be In!

Usually, the expression “being in hot water” means you’re in deep trouble. But here in Iceland, being in hot water probably is more likely to mean that you’re enjoying one of our many natural hot springs on the island. One of these hot springs is Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring. 

So, if you’ve ever wondered why Iceland has so many natural hot springs or you’ve been dreaming about a relaxing soak in one of these babies on your upcoming trip to Iceland, read on. We take a deep dive into everything you can expect from a visit to Guðrúnarlaug and how to plan the ultimate outing. 

A Quick Overview of Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring can be found in the Sælingsdalur Valley of Dalabyggd, in the western part of the island. Guðrúnarlaug is one of our smaller and more secluded hot springs, making it a much more intimate setting in the most picturesque surroundings you could possibly imagine. 

This little circular pool, with its warm water ranging between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, overlooks the wide expanse of the surrounding lush, green landscape (or at least it does during the warmer months; during the winter, the landscape is draped in a blanket of white snow). If you look at the beautiful hot spring today, it may still look very rugged with its rocks and stones, but it’s very clear that the pool is man-made. 

But don’t be fooled; this is not one of our geothermal man-made pools. Guðrúnarlaug is still a natural hot spring. The pool and the primitive changing facilities had to be rebuilt (and a bit revamped) in 2009 after a horrific landslide had shut the hot spring down, and it was actually kept closed for 140 years before its reopening in 2009. 

Amenities and Facilities at Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

When someone says the words “rebuild” and “revamp,” it can conjure up images of an Extreme Makeover Home Edition episode. But we want to make it abundantly clear that Guðrúnarlaug has taken 100% natural to heart. The amenities and facilities at Guðrúnarlaug are incredibly primitive. There are no showers or bathroom facilities.

There is a little building that looks like a mini Viking longhouse where one can change, but that’s about it. 

There are also no places to get something to drink or grab something to eat, so be sure to come prepared. This being said, many choose to stay at the hotel when visiting the hot spring, which makes the lack of amenities and facilities redundant since you can just find whatever you need at the hotel and in your room. But it’s important info for those travelers who are just passing through. 

The Geothermal Activity Behind Gudrunarlaug Hot Spring

The geothermal activity behind Gudrunarlaug boils (couldn’t resist) down to Iceland’s location on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This ridge, which runs almost through half of Iceland underneath the country, is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates push apart from each other.

The constant battle between these two plates is what puts the “fire” in the Land of Fire and Ice. And, as we’ve already touched on, it’s all the volcanic activity on the island that heats up our underground water supply and creates all these hot springs for us to enjoy as well as use in our houses and businesses.

Exactly How Does the Volcanic Activity on the Island Create Gudrunarlaug?

The creation of the hot springs here in Iceland is quite an interesting process. Snowmelt and rainwater cipher through the ground. In the meantime, the heat from the volcanic systems under the ground heats up the ground and the rock deep below the surface of the earth. As the water continues its journey through the ground, it comes into contact with the hot rocks and gets heated up by the warm surroundings.

This causes the water to rise up again. In some cases, it reaches the surface where we often enjoy soaking in them in their natural surroundings and original setting. Other times, it never quite makes it to the surface or is simply too hot to use as is, and is then utilized in the heating of homes and businesses or our geothermal pools.

This process is obviously not a once-off occurrence, and as long as the rainwater and meltwater continue to cipher through the ground, there will always be new warm water feeding into Gudrunarlaug – irrespective of the weather or the seasons.

The Folklore Surrounding Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

In Iceland, we have folklore called the Icelandic Sagas. These stories are a big part of our culture and are often seen as part of our history. But how much truth really lies in the sagas is anyone’s guess. Although there are, undoubtedly, facts and real people found in the Sagas, they get tangled and intertwined with exaggerations, myths, and legends. But who doesn’t enjoy a good story, right? 

Where truth and fiction begin and end in the Sagas will be up to you to decide. Guðrúnarlaug serves as a type of memorial for one of these Sagas: the Laxdæla Saga. The story goes that a Viking called Gudrin Osvifursdottir lived near Guðrúnarlaug about 1000 years ago. It was said that she often enjoyed relaxing in the hot spring, hence its name, meaning “Gudrun’s Pool.” It is said that she had special gifts. She was seen as a type of prophet who could interpret dreams. 

Apparently, a dream by a man named Gestur Oddleifsson (known for his handsomeness, by the way) predicted that Gudrun would be married 4 times throughout her life and that all her husbands would die. Sadly, the prediction came true, and in her grief, Gudrun became a nun and lived out the rest of her day in Helgafell Church. 

Remember how we mentioned that fact and fiction can become hard to discern when it comes to our Sagas? Well, Gudrun’s grave can still be found at the Helgafell Church. It was erected in 1979 and clearly states the year she died: 1008. 

Accessibility: How to Get to Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring 

Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring is roughly 167 kilometers (about a 2.5-hour drive) from the capital city of Reykjavik. This means it would be possible as a day outing during the summer when you have plenty of daylight hours to work with. But the hot spring is also very conveniently located along one of our main roads and popular road trip routes around the island, the Ring Road. 

This also makes Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring a nice little pitstop if you’re road-tripping around the island. Although it is possible to request a customized and private tour with Guðrúnarlaug as a destination from one of our tour operators or local guides, most prefer to have the intimate setting all to themselves. Therefore, the recommended way of getting to Guðrúnarlaug is by driving yourself. Getting to the hot spring is very easy.

You simply take the Ring Road and turn onto Road 60 toward Budardalur Village. You will then continue on this road in the direction of Holmavik for roughly 16 kilometers until you turn left on Road 589 (not a big road). Continue for about 3 kilometers till you reach Hotel Edda. If you look up to the hill at the hotel, you’ll be able to see the hot spring. It’s not even a 2-minute walk from the parking lot. 

The Best Time to Visit Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring is open to the public all year round, and when you decide to visit will solely rely on you. When making your decision, take the following into consideration: 

• Many prefer visiting the hot springs during the summertime since it has the best weather. But summer in Iceland is considered peak season, so you might need to deal with peak season crowds and the inevitable peak season prices. 

• Some swear by the exhilarating experience of soaking in a hot spring during the colder months of the year. Something about the contrast between the cold air and the hot water really gets the endorphins going. 

• If you are traveling on a tight budget and want to avoid the peak season prices, we suggest visiting during one of the shoulder months (September and October or April and May). It will mean still getting some decent weather but not paying the price for it (literally). 

• If you are planning a winter trip, we can assure you that the Ring Road is well-maintained as one of our main roads. So, even though you’ll still need to navigate some tricky road conditions with ice, snow, and wind, the road to Guðrúnarlaug won’t be as nerve-wracking. It also won’t be plagued by constant sudden road closures as you can experience in the north of Iceland. 

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring?

Having a soak in Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring won’t cost you a cent, not even in the form of the usual donations one can encounter at some of our natural hot springs. Just show up at Guðrúnarlaug and enjoy! 

A Few Helpful Tips When Visiting Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

If this is your first time to a hot spring in Iceland, the following helpful tips and advice will come in handy:

• Be mindful of others, especially in an intimate setting such as Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring. You may have to wait for others to finish their soak before you can get your turn. And you need to keep noise levels down and not splash or jump around (you have a relaxing soak at a hot spring, not a cannonball competition or Olympic training session).

• You also need to come 100% natural. One of the main focuses of any hot spring is to keep the pool clean. This is not just so others don’t need to soak in slop but also to consider our environment and the ecosystem. So, ensure that you are clean before getting in. This is not where you come to wash off the day or the hike you just had.

• You should also not have hair products, makeup, perfumes, or lotions on. Any things of this nature will either be left drifting in the pool or soaking into the ground (none of which is good).  
  

Other Things to See and Do Near Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

If you want to add a few other stops during your visit to Guðrúnarlaug, the following can be found nearby:

• Eirksstadir’s Viking Longhouse

• The Fimmvorduhals Hiking Trail

• Snowmobiling Langjökull Glacier 

Places to Stay Near Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring

If you are planning to stay overnight, Hotel Edda would obviously be the best option. But if it’s fully booked or you have some budget constraints, you can also try the following:

• Guesthouse Nyp

• Gil Guesthouse

• Dalahotel

• Laugar Campsite

• Dalakot Budardal 

Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring: Time to Have a Soak and Take in the Surroundings!

Now that you know all the ins and outs of Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring, it’s time to take the show on the road. Rent a car in Iceland, and whether you opt to visit Guðrúnarlaug as a day outing or as part of a road trip around the island, you cannot miss out on the opportunity to soak in the warm waters and take in the stunning surroundings. It’s time for the ultimate adventure and relaxation here in Iceland!