Hveragerdi is a short 46.5 km. away from Central Reykjavik, and is accessible via Route 1. Just over the picturesque Bláfjöll mountain range, Hveragerdi is one of the first towns in the Southern Region, which you enter nearly halfway through the drive between Reykjavik and Hveragerdi.

Sitting at an important crossroads, Hveragerdi is a popular destination for nature and geothermal enthusiasts, and it is right on the roundabout that connects travelers to the capital, the south coast, and Þorlákshöfn (Thorlákshöfn)– the winter ferry terminal for Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands).

Situated in an active geothermal region, Hveragerdi is literally bubbling with visible activity- as close as the center of the town. In Hveragarðurinn, you can learn about the town’s geothermal history, visit a small banana greenhouse, and even boil an egg in a hot pool. Visitors can sample local bread baked right in the ground, and soak their feet in a bubbly spring. 

There is a great deal of history attached to these vents of hot water- as far back as the 1900’s, when a local resident fell into one of the springs, and died from scalding. Due to the individual falling in the night, this tragedy caused the town to install street lights, and led to the spring being named “Manndrápshver”, or, “Man killing hot spring”. It serves as a valuable reminder of the strength of these innocent looking pools, and the swiftness with which they can change.  

There are also some small geysers in this park- Dynkur and Eilífur. Dynkur is more of a steam vent now, but at one time in its life it used to emit a fine spray of water. Eilífur is a newer geyser to the area, and currently emits water on a 20-25 minute cycle. Though its name means “eternal”, it is a young geyser- and like all geothermal features, it is unknown how long it will function as such. 

Over time, some of these springs have weakened from their former intensity, as can happen in an active volcanic area. The Earth here is very much alive, and changes can occur at any time. Some of the temperature and spring intensity changes in the park are due to the 2008 seismic event in Hveragerdi, and may one day change again as things unfold. In this way, a visit to Hveragerdi is always special- as you never know how it will look the next time you stop by.

Continuing on the geothermal theme of the town- another important feature of the Hveragerdi area is the mountain hike to Reykjadalur, or, “Smoky Valley”. Reykjadalur is a fairly accessible hike with incredible scenic views and the end reward of bathing in a geothermal river. 

This hike begins at a parking lot next to a coffee house. This is a great stop to make to have a quick snack before beginning your ascent and use the restroom. Reykjadalur is a wild area, and though there is a wooden partition installed for changing behind, there are no facilities or fees at the river. 

This hike is about 3 km. one way, and is an upward ascent into the Hengill area. The hike itself is about an hour long, but it is advisable to take breaks along the way- especially for photos. The path is at times a bit precarious and narrow, so our recommendation is to stay on the marked trail. Depending on the time of year that you visit, mud or ice can create difficult conditions here, so checking the weather and the hours of light beforehand can save you some headache. Don’t forget your torch if you will be hiking in the evening!

Reykjadalur is a favorite of locals, and is not entirely secret- but due to its lofty locale, it is not as developed as many of the easier to access hot springs. Because of this, you will notice that there are not many signs along the way, and there are no attendant staff at the river itself. Because of its proximity to Hveragerdi, you are likely to maintain cellular service here however, and you will encounter some signs at some of the more dangerous mud pools further in. These pools are actively boiling, so please do take caution as you move through the area. 

There is now a wooden path at the beginning of the bathing area, but take note that this is not the only area for bathing. You can move past this deck area and go further down the river for a more private spot. Take note that the water is warmer the further into the valley that you venture, so try to test it before getting in. (Also test the ground before you remove your shoes- as the banks of the river can be surprisingly hot!)

The valley itself is full of hiking paths and gorges, but these can be hard to access in the winter. This area is further up in elevation, so the weather can change quickly and the dark falls very early. 

If you are looking for a true natural hot spring experience however, this is one of the best.

There are lots of restaurants, bakeries, activities and gorgeous natural attractions in Hveragerdi. For those who would like to stick to the city, there is golfing at Gufudalsvöllur, an art exhibition at Listasafn Árnesinga, the local heated pool Sundlaugin Laugaskarði, the Stone and Mineral Museum, and horseback riding for riders of all ages in the surrounding countryside.  

We recommend the brewery tour and pizza tasting over at Ölverk Pizza & Brewery, and the earthquake simulation box in the Sunnumörk shopping mall! You can buy a hand knitted lopapeysa, learn about the 2008 earthquake, see how it felt in the simulator- and even see a seismic crack illuminated through the floor.

The earthquake itself was a 6.3 magnitude quake, and the videos and testimonies from the event are powerful to see. This area is near a grocery store and bakery as well- so it’s a great opportunity to stock up on snacks, whether your hikes are taking you all the way up to Reykjadalur, or just through the city center and Hveragarðurinn.

No matter what your plans are- Hveragerdi is the hottest little town on our list, and we never pass up a chance to boil an egg and soak in the glorious spring.