North IcelandSulfur fields
Hverir (Namaskarð)
One of Iceland’s largest and most accessible high-temperature geothermal areas. Boiling mud pots, steam vents, and sulfur-encrusted fumaroles spread across a barren landscape near Lake Mývatn.
Geothermal Areas
Geothermal Areas of Iceland: Hot Springs, Mud Pools & Fumaroles
Boiling mud, steaming vents, and natural hot springs: Iceland sits on one of Earth's most volcanically active hotspots, and its geothermal areas show it.
Safety warning
Stay on marked paths
Ground near hot springs can be thin and unstable. Boiling water lies just beneath the surface.
Quick Answer
Iceland's geothermal areas run from the sulfur fields at Hverir to bathing spots like Reykjadalur and Landmannalaugar. Safety basics and where bathing is safe.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Geothermal areas contain scalding water and unstable ground. Always stay on marked paths and boardwalks, and never touch geothermal water unless in a designated bathing area.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
HighlandsHot springs + rhyolite mountains
Landmannalaugar
In the Highlands, a natural hot spring mixes with a cold river to form a bathing spot amid colorful rhyolite mountains. Starting point of the Laugavegur trek.
South IcelandSwimmable hot river
Reykjadalur Hot Spring River
A geothermally heated river in a valley near Hveragerði. A 3.5 km walk each way through steaming hillsides leads to a section where hot and cold water mix for comfortable bathing.
South IcelandHistoric outdoor pool
Seljavallalaug
One of Iceland’s oldest swimming pools, built in 1923 and fed by a natural hot spring. It sits in a narrow valley beneath Eyjafjallajökull. Check current access and the condition of the pool; this is not a staffed spa.
HighlandsGeothermal oasis
Hveravellir
A geothermal area in the interior highlands between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. Hot springs, silica deposits, and a small bathing pool at a refuge used since saga times.
ReykjanesPowerful mud pools + steam
Gunnuhver
Iceland’s largest mud pool and one of Europe’s most powerful geothermal vents, located near the tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. Named after a ghost from Icelandic folklore. Boardwalk viewing only.
ReykjanesColorful geothermal area
Krýsuvík-Seltún
A geothermal field on the Reykjanes peninsula with bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and soil stained yellow, orange, red, and green by sulfur and mineral deposits.
South IcelandSmall natural hot pot
Hrunalaug
A small natural hot pot near the village of Flúðir in South Iceland. Hand-built stone basin fed by a geothermal spring. Admission is paid for a 90-minute visit; check current opening hours.
Hverir: Boiling Mud and Sulfur by Lake Mývatn
Hverir (also known as Namaskarð) is a high-temperature geothermal field on the eastern shore of Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, on the Krafla volcanic system. The area is a wide expanse of clay and sulfur with no vegetation: bubbling mud cauldrons, hissing fumaroles, and steaming vents against a backdrop of rust-colored ridges.
The geothermal activity here is driven by magma just 2-3 km below the surface, which heats the groundwater. Surface temperatures at the vents can exceed 100°C. The mineral deposits (yellow sulfur, white silica, red iron oxides) color the ground, and the landscape has drawn comparison to Mars.
Hverir sits right off Route 1 and is one of Iceland's most accessible geothermal areas. Follow the designated paths: the regional tourism authority explicitly requires visitors to stay on them. Check the parking signs for current payment arrangements. The Krafla caldera, Víti crater, and Earth Lagoon Mývatn are all nearby.
Choose between a viewing stop and a bathing trip
Hverir, Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík–Seltún are places to observe heat from marked routes. For bathing, compare the actual approach and facilities: Reykjadalur involves about 3.5 kilometres of walking each way, while Hrunalaug sells a timed visit. At Hveravellir, the bathing pool is separate from the protected hot-spring field.
Do not treat sulfur smell as reassurance. The Meteorological Office’s gas guidance explains why concentration and exposure matter. Stay on the open visitor route and follow local warnings.
Planning help
Iceland geothermal areas FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is it safe to visit geothermal areas in Iceland?
Geothermal areas can be dangerous. Boiling water, scalding steam, and unstable ground are common hazards. Always stay on marked paths and boardwalks. The ground near hot springs and mud pots can be thin and collapse without warning, exposing boiling water beneath. Never touch geothermal water unless it is in a designated bathing area.
Can I bathe in Iceland's geothermal hot springs?
Use only the designated bathing section when local conditions permit. Reykjadalur’s river, Hveravellir’s bathing pool and Landmannalaugar’s pool are distinct from nearby boiling springs. Do not test an unfamiliar spring by touching it. Follow current signs and ask site staff if the bathing area is closed or its condition is uncertain.
When are Highland geothermal areas accessible?
Check the specific approach road and your vehicle’s rental conditions. Hveravellir is reached from Route 35; Landmannalaugar has several approaches with different river crossings. A calendar month or a four-wheel-drive badge does not establish that a route is open or suitable. Use current road information before departure.
Why do geothermal areas smell like rotten eggs?
Hydrogen sulfide contributes the familiar rotten-egg smell around geothermal areas. The Icelandic Meteorological Office explains that this gas can irritate the lungs and eyes and can be harmful at sufficient concentration and exposure. Being outdoors does not establish that a concentration is harmless; follow site warnings and access restrictions.
What should I know about protecting geothermal areas?
Geothermal formations like silica terraces and mineral deposits are extremely fragile and take centuries to form. Never step off boardwalks or marked paths, do not throw objects into hot springs or mud pots, and carry out all rubbish. Damage to these natural features is irreversible and may result in fines.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.