This 25-meter geothermal pool, built in 1923 at the base of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, draws warm water from natural springs. Local residents created it to teach swimming to Icelandic children.
A 25-meter geothermal swimming pool sits at the base of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in South Iceland. Built in 1923, Seljavallalaug draws its warm water from natural hot springs that flow year-round into the pool. You'll find this pool between two of Iceland's famous waterfalls - Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss - making it an interesting stop on your South Coast journey.
Built in 1923, Seljavallalaug served as Iceland's largest swimming facility until 1936. Local residents created it to teach swimming to Icelandic children, many of whom couldn't swim despite living in a fishing nation. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption filled the pool with volcanic ash, but volunteers cleaned and restored it in 2011.
Drive east from Reykjavík on Ring Road (Route 1) for about 2 hours until you reach Road 242, marked as Raufarfell. Take this unpaved road until you see signs for Seljavellir and a small parking area. Walk for about 20 minutes along a marked trail through the valley to reach the pool.
The pool measures 25 meters by 10 meters, with water temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F). You'll find warmer water near the hot spring inflow. A changing room building sits next to the pool but has no showers or toilets. The pool depth ranges from 1.2 meters (4 feet) at the shallow end to 1.8 meters (6 feet) at its deepest point.
Water temperatures drop during winter months. Volunteers clean the pool once per year, which leads to algae growth, especially in summer. The mountain's rock face forms one side of the pool, with geothermal water flowing directly from the springs.
Wear water shoes both for the walk and in the pool area - rocks and algae make surfaces slippery. Bring towels and swimming gear. You can visit the pool 24/7 without paying an entrance fee. To avoid crowds in summer (June-August), come early morning or late evening.
The pool has no lifeguards. Watch your step, as algae makes the pool floor slippery in summer. Keep children close and avoid swimming alone during quiet hours. The trail crosses small streams, so wear shoes suitable for wet conditions.
You can visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall, 10 kilometers west of the pool, and Skógafoss waterfall, a few kilometers east. Both waterfalls have parking areas and are visible from Ring Road.
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