Iceland and hot springs are almost synonymous, and the hot springs on this island are legion and seem to increase by the year. As self-proclaimed hot spring connoisseurs, we know the ins and outs of where to find the best of the best.
In this article, we will spill the hot tea and reveal a poorly kept secret in the Icelandic Wilderness. Hellulaug is a perfect stop on a road trip in the wilder regions of Iceland and one of our favorite spots to stop when we travel to Iceland. Read on to learn all there is to know about this serene oasis in Iceland.
The Serenity of Hellulaug
People are the best, don’t get us wrong, but having a place to yourself from time to time is well-needed. If you are looking for a secluded hot spring that’s just a little bit off the beaten path but not a long hike’s way, Hellulaug hot spring is the place to go. Here, if you’re lucky, you could get a pool, 3-4 meters wide and about 60 centimeters deep, all to yourself.
It’s easy to get bedazzled by the flashy services and facilities at the Blue Lagoon, Krauma Spa, and other built-out hot springs. Going back to the basics and relaxing in a hot spring in the middle of nowhere is severely underrated and provides an authentic Icelandic experience. This location has been kept a little extra secret by the locals, and since it is not along the main routes, you have to know where to go to find it.
Hellulaug: By the Side of the Road
One of the good reasons why Hellulaug is such a well-kept secret is that it lies snuggly in the remote region of the Westfjords. The hot spring isn’t close to many other attractions and is surprisingly close to the road. Like, just a few meters. Hellulaug Hot Spring can be found in the southern part of the Westfjords along Road 60, at the mouth of the fjord Vatnsfjördur.
How to Get to Hellulaug
Since Hellulaug is off the beaten path, the easiest way to get there is to drive yourself. There is a bus stop not far from the hot spring, but the time and effort to get there is not worth it since you have to first get to Isafjördur and then take the one bus that goes once every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday around the Westfjords.
Getting to Hellulaug by car is easy, though. All you have to do is get on the Ring Road heading north and then take a left on Road 60 after Bifröst. Follow road 60 up to the Westfjords and through a couple of fjords, and you’ll see Hellulaug after about 215 kilometers. The entire route is about 327 kilometers long and takes a total of 4 hours and 20 minutes to drive.
What to Expect at Hellulaug
When you reach Hellulaug, you’re not greeted by anything other than the calming presence of nature and a stunning view. The hot spring is completely free to visit, but there is often a jar out to collect voluntary contributions for the people who keep the area clean and tidy.
More often than not, you will have this small pool for yourself, and it isn’t visible from the road, so you don’t have to worry about strangers seeing you swim either. You can calmly enjoy the natural 38 degrees Celsius and the breathtaking view over the fjord in peace and quiet. On the off-chance that it is occupied when you get there, you can always go to the nearby Hótel Flókalundur and grab something to eat while the other visitors enjoy Hellulaug.
The one thing you need to keep in mind when you visit is that the closest toilet will be at the hotel, and there are no showers or changing rooms. This is an all-natural experience, and you need to be prepared to leave these modern luxuries behind.
When is the Best Time to Visit Hellulaug?
The best thing about Hellulaug is that it is very nice in every type of weather. The only thing that might be a drawback in the colder seasons is that the short walk from the parking lot to the hot spring can be a bit uncomfortable.
Summer in Iceland is an all-time favorite to visit Hellulaug. This is the time of the year when the weather is warm and relatively calm, so you might see a serene fjord with lush green mountain slopes in the background. The odds of running into another visitor in the hot spring are highest in the summer, but you still have a fair chance of visiting an empty pool.
In the Icelandic winter, the road to Hellulaug will be the least pleasant to travel, but you will be in for a treat. Since there is no opening or closing time, you can get the unique chance to see the Northern Lights in Iceland when you float in the hot spring. The temperature will be a degree or two lower in the winter but still warm enough to be really cozy. This is not the most popular season to travel in the Westfjords, so you are very likely to have the place to yourself.
What to See Close to Hellulaug
The Westfjords is one of the wildest regions in Iceland, with plenty of unique things to see and do. Below are some of the top things to do close to Hellulaug:
Hellulaug: The Roadside Spa
There are few places left in Iceland where you can have easy access to a hidden away natural hot spring that won’t cost you anything but time and smiles. Hellulaug is a gem hidden in plain sight that we strongly recommend anyone visit when they’re in the Westfjords. If you want to experience something special when you travel to Iceland, this is one of the spots to visit.