Region
South Iceland
45 km from Reykjavik
Hveragerdi: the Greenhouse Town
Iceland's greenhouse town, where geothermal heat grows vegetables and the hot river hike begins in the steaming Reykjadalur valley.
Population
~2,700
South Iceland • Geothermal town
Quick Answer
Hveragerdi, 45 km from Reykjavik, grows tomatoes and cucumbers in geothermally heated greenhouses. The Reykjadalur trailhead is outside town; reaching it and hiking to the river are separate parts of the trip.
Hveragerdi sits in a geothermally active area where steam rises from the ground and greenhouses run year-round. The town is best known for the Reykjadalur hot river hike, one of Iceland's most accessible natural bathing spots.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Hveragerdi is easily accessible from Reykjavik and the Golden Circle route.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~2,700
Geothermal greenhouse town
Known for
Hot river hike
Reykjadalur natural bathing
Top Attractions in Hveragerdi
Reykjadalur Hot River
Hot-river hike outside town; allow for the approach and the return walk
Geothermal Park
Hot springs and mud pots in town center
Greenhouses
Geothermal-powered tropical plants
Earthquake Exhibition
2008 quake and new hot springs
Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with hot tubs
The town park and hot-river hike are different outings
Visit Hveragerði places the Geothermal Park in the middle of town and says the hot-river trail is about 3 km away. That distance is the approach to the trail, not an out-and-back hiking distance to the bathing spot. Leave separate time for reaching the trailhead, walking and returning.
Choose the town’s Geothermal Park when you want a geothermal stop within Hveragerði. Choose Reykjadalur when you have set aside time for a hike and checked the trail conditions. The distinction matters more than trying to combine every geothermal sight into a brief roadside break.
How to Get to Hveragerdi
From Reykjavik: 35 minutes via Route 1. First town you reach heading south.
Best Time to Visit Hveragerdi
Hveragerdi works year-round. The hot river can be enjoyed in any weather, and winter brings quieter trails.
Planning help
Hveragerdi FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hveragerdi?
Hveragerdi has approximately 2,700 residents.
Why is Hveragerdi the greenhouse town?
Geothermal heat powers greenhouses growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and flowers year-round, even bananas. The town’s geothermal visitor sites are separate from any commercial greenhouse visit.
What is the hot river hike?
Reykjadalur is the hot-river hike outside Hveragerði. The local visitor site’s 3-km figure describes the distance from town to the trail, not the full walk to the bathing area and back. Plan the hike separately from getting to the trailhead.
How far is Hveragerdi from Reykjavik?
Hveragerdi is about 45 km from Reykjavik, approximately 35 minutes by car via Route 1.
Was there an earthquake in Hveragerdi?
Yes, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in 2008, creating new hot springs in town. The NLFI earthquake exhibition documents this event.
What is the Geothermal Park?
Hveragerdi has a geothermal park in the town center with hot springs, mud pots, and demonstrations of geothermal baking.
Does Hveragerdi have swimming pools?
Yes, Hveragerdi has a geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs, a good warm-up after the hot river hike.
Is Hveragerdi a good base?
Yes, it's close to Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, with affordable accommodation and geothermal sites in and around town.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.