Reykjadalur(literally translated as "valley of smoke") — the area of hot springs closest to Reykjavik. It takes 45 minutes to drive to the town of Hveragerdi, and from there you can walk uphill to the warm river flowing through the valley of the Reykjavik. This valley, shrouded in smoke, is part of one of the largest geothermal zones in the country.
This hot river is almost the same distance from Reykjavik as the Blue Lagoon, but you still have to climb to the hot part of the river for about 40 minutes, but there is a lot of space and the visit is free.
Reykjadalur is a natural river, and this means that the water temperature can change, and you can control it a little by moving to more or less hot places!
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Содержание:
- How to get to the hot river of Reykjadalur
- Swimming in the hot river of Reykjadalur
- The best time to visit Reykjadalur
- Useful tips
How to get to the hot river of Reykjadalur
From Reykjavik, you need to go along the main highway number 1 to the southeast of Iceland, and after 40 km there will be a turn to Hveragerdi (Hveragerði), turn onto it and continue straight to the stop. You can park your car right there in the parking lot.
There is a good trail from the village of Hveragerdi, along which many people walk. If you are in good shape and do not stop constantly, you will reach the river in 45-60 minutes. The trail is about three kilometers long.
Hot steam outlets, boilers with boiling mud and baths with acid-blue water are often found on the sides of the trail. Sometimes there are great views of the mountains around.
The trail first rises up and then enters the valley and then goes with a slight climb. It is through this valley that the hot river flows for which you came here.
Swimming in the hot river of Reykjadalur
The closer you get to the main sources. the stronger the smell of sulfur will become.
Hot streams from the bowels of the earth here mix with cold mountain streams, forming a river. As a result, the temperature varies along the river – the higher upstream, the hotter, and in the river itself there are many small bays of baths lined with stones in which it is convenient to sit.
In the area where the river has a comfortable temperature, a wooden platform has been built in order to preserve moss and vegetation. There are also dividing walls to change clothes, and benches. But there is no closed locker room, so you will have to change in the cold wind.
The river banks are overgrown with bright green moss and grass because of the hot water. Thick steam can hang over the river, and there are beautiful mountain landscapes around.
After the bathing areas, the trail also continues higher up the valley to the beautiful geothermal zone. So, if you have time and energy left, it's worth taking a walk along the trail above.
Also pay attention to the warning signs that say "Hætta!" (in Icelandic it means "Dangerous!"). Signs remind pedestrians to stay on the trail, because boiling water can leak underground and you can fall through.
The city of Hveragerdi uses for its needs the same geothermal energy that makes Reykjavik such an attractive place.
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The best time to visit Reykjadalur
You can visit Reykjadalur in both winter and summer, when the weather is much more pleasant.
In winter, there are significantly fewer people, and the trail can be covered with deep snow.
Useful tips
- put on the right shoes - good sneakers or boots, as the trail is very rocky
- take water and lunch with you - a walk to the river and swimming can take several hours. And after bathing, you will be very thirsty
- Don't forget sunscreen and a hat - the sun can be very strong
- well, if you are traveling in winter, then warm clothes and a warm hat will not hurt, because after bathing you still need to go down
- and don't be lazy to walk to the geothermal zone behind the hot springs
