It takes 45 minutes to drive to Hveragerði from Reykjavík. You go on the Ring Road to the east over Hellisheiði, and there you are. From there, it takes 45-60 minutes to walk up to Reykjadalur on a good hiking path. You go past Djúpagilsfoss to the warm river in the middle of the valley. The stream is one of Iceland’s most visited natural bathing places in a beautiful but delicate environment. Two years ago, in 2019, it was estimated that about a hundred thousand people had bathed in the river, as the temperature in it is perfect, very close to body temperature. Reykjadalur is a part of Hengill, a mountain range between Hveragerði and Þingvallavatn Lake. Hengill mountain is an active volcano, but it last erupted about 1900 years ago. It could be close to the next eruption. Maybe tomorrow, who knows?
Hveragerði 10/08/2021 16:48 : RX1R II 35mm
Photo and text: Páll Stefánsson
