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Iceland has an abundance of hot springs all over the country, but they are not so common everywhere. When a hot spring is found in an area where it is rare, the Icelandic people do not waste any time making good use of it.
Krossneslaug is not a stop you make on your way to any destination, but it’s worth taking the time to visit. In this article, we take a closer look at why it’s worth the effort to visit Krossneslaug Hot Spring in Iceland.
Krossneslaug Hot Spring in Iceland
When hearing about cool places to visit in Iceland, you will often hear the term “off the beaten path”. Iceland is largely an unoccupied country with settlements almost exclusively along the coast. This makes most inland experiences a bit hard to reach, which is an understatement when it comes to the Krossneslaug pool. This hot spring is more than 100 kilometers away from the nearest town, requiring almost two hours of driving.
Krossneslaug is an outside infinity pool at the foot of a mountain, right on top of the coastline. That is, however, not the only thing that makes it special. Krossneslaug Pool is one of the very few natural hot springs in the region, which means that it is not artificially heated at all. It lies in the oldest part of Iceland, far away from the tectonic rift, making hot springs a rare occurrence.
How Did It Get There?
The pool used to be a hot spring that ran out to sea. In 1954, the landowner decided to make something out of it and built the first version of the pool. Since then, the owners of the pool have rebuilt and added to it throughout the years, eventually leading to the Krossneslaug we see today.
Where is Krossneslaug Hot Spring?
You find Krossneslaug in the most remote region in Iceland: the Westfjords. It sits in the Strandir area to the northeast of the Westfjords and is a part of the least populated municipality in Iceland, Árneshreppur. There are only 53 people living permanently in the entire municipality.
How to Get to Krossneslaug
Unless you’re up for an incredibly long hike, driving yourself to Krossneslaug is your only option.
To get to Krossneslaug from the closest town, Hólmavik, you must take Road 61 going north until you reach the end of the fjord. Here, turn right on Road 643 and stick to that road for the next 90 kilometers. This will take about 2 hours to drive, and you will cover 106 kilometers. When you see “Leif the Driftwood Man”, you know you’ve found the pool, and you can finally relax in the hot pools.
The road will turn into a bumpy gravel road after a while, so remember to drive carefully. The state of the road is the biggest contributor to how long it takes to get to Krossneslaug. In comparison, driving 230 kilometers from Reykjavik to Hólmavik takes less than 3 hours because most of that route is in good shape.
What to Expect at Krossneslaug
Since Krossneslaug is in such a remote place, the first thing you should expect is a fair chance of having the pools to yourself. Even though it is often visited by foreigners on holiday, “frequent” is a relative term and there are plenty of days in the summer when the pool is completely empty.
Krossneslaug Hot Spring supplies two pools with warm water. One is a small pool that keeps a temperature of around 38 degrees Celsius, and the other is a large pool that keeps a slightly lower temperature of roughly 34 degrees Celsius. If you happen to arrive on a windy day, fear not! The small pool sits snuggly in a little protected “booth” next to the buildings.
The larger pool is a classic rectangle pool which is not very deep, so it’s perfect for kids to play in. This is the pool that can be seen as an infinity pool since there is nothing that obstructs the view from the edge of the pool to the ocean. If you lean back and relax in the larger pool, it almost feels like you’re swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean. The only difference is that you’re comfortably warm and not freezing.
Amenities at Krossneslaug
To use the pool, you’ll have to pay 1,000 ISK / €6.50 / $7.25, which will get you access to changing rooms, toilets, the pools, and showers. Icelanders are very particular about being clean before entering hot springs.
What to See at Krossneslaug
When we say that a visit to Krossneslaug is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we’re not exaggerating. From the coastline and out, there is nothing but an open ocean. The bay next to Krossneslaug is a popular place to stop for the local whales, dolphins, and even the occasional Orcas. On the cliffs in the bay, you can sometimes spot seals relaxing after a hard day of chasing fish.
This area is mostly visited by Humpback Whales, which are well-known for being curious and playful. They’re big jumpers and it’s not unusual for Icelandic whale-watching tours to spot a Humpback Whale breaching.
We’re not sure exactly why whales breach, but the leading theories are that they do it to assert dominance, show playful behavior, and convey messages to the rest of their pod. The same theories go for when they slap their flippers on the surface of the water or smash their tail (flukes) hard on the water surface. In general, Humpback Whales can be quite playful, and you have the chance to spot them at Krossneslaug.
Besides the whales, since human activity here is low, the birds love it around Krossneslaug. In the summer, you can spot a large variety of sea birds enjoying the food and shelter of the nearby cliffs and waters.
The Best Time to Visit Krossneslaug
As we said earlier Krossneslaug is at the end of the road in one of the least populated areas In Iceland. The majority of the road is gravel road and will not be open in the winter months. On top of that, the owner of the pool only maintains the pools in the summer between the beginning of June and the end of August. The rest of the time, the roads in the area are too hard to drive on, so Krossneslaug is generally closed.
This means that the best time to visit Krossneslaug will be in the summer between mid-May and August. Even if it would have been an amazing experience to float in the pool under the Northern Lights, winter in Iceland is not suitable for a visit to Krossneslaug.
Instead, you can float in the pool under the Midnight Sun in Iceland. July in Iceland is the busiest month of the year here. Aim for the beginning of June or the end of August if you want to avoid the crowds and have a chance of having the pool to yourself.
Things to Do Near Krossneslaug
Since Krossneslaug is so far off the beaten path, there aren’t a whole lot of places to visit that are close by. This part of the wild region in Iceland is mostly used for hiking adventures, and since Krossneslaug is so far north in the Westfjords, it’s an excellent stop on the journey between the local hiking trails. Below are some spots in the region that are worth visiting if you get the chance:
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: one of the most untouched and wildest areas in Iceland. A stop at Krossneslaug will surely boost morale for your journey to or from the nature reserve.
- Drangajökull: the only glacier in Iceland that stopped retreating and sits below 1,000 meters in height. The glacier is just around the corner from Krossneslaug, and the hiking trails are mostly located on the western side of the glacier.
- Kaldalón: on the western side of Drangajökull is a glacial outlet, famous for being the residence of one of Iceland’s most beloved composers. It has a basalt engraving of the composer playing the grand piano.
- Trékyllisvík: a completely isolated cove with a church, some buildings, and a pool. This cove is mostly famous for starting the frenzy of the long years of hunting witches in Iceland. Nowadays, it’s a gorgeous camping spot with a killer view.
- The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft: one of the most interesting museums you’ll ever visit is in Hólmavik. Here, you’ll see artifacts, read stories, and learn about the connection between the Westfjords and the occult.
- The Sorcerer’s Cottage: a turf house built as a representation of how most people lived during the witch hunts in Iceland. It’s complete with stories and examples of the magic and spells a sorcerer would have used at the time.
Apart from those, there are other places in the Westfjords worth visiting. They are a couple of hours away from Krossneslaug, but you want to visit them before you leave the region:
- Dynjandi Waterfall
- Latrabjarg Cliffs (very popular among avid birdwatchers)
- The Arctic Fox Center
- The Iceland Sea Monster Museum
- Hellulaug Hot Spring
Where to Stay Close to Krossneslaug
The options for accommodation close to Krossneslaug are slim since it's almost at the end of the road. Below, we gathered a couple of accommodation options for those who want to spend the night close to Krossneslaug:
- Urdartindur Guesthouse: Just down the road, 4 kilometers south of the hot springs is this guesthouse where you can choose between a room or a cabin. Both options come with free Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and an en-suite bathroom. The cabins have fully equipped kitchens too.
- Hótel Djúpavík: If you want to spend a little more money and travel a little further, this is a good option. The hotel offers rooms as well as two cottages in the small village. The cottages are fully equipped houses, while the hotel has standard rooms with private wash basins and shared showers.
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: With 14 different campgrounds to choose from, this is a great budget-friendly option if you want to spend the night in nature.
- Drangsnes Campsite: The campsite that offers everything. Wastewater disposal for RVs and campervans, hot showers, electricity outlets, washing facilities, cooking facilities, and plenty of activities nearby.
FAQs About Krossneslaug
Below are some frequently asked questions about Krossneslaug:
How Long Should I Spend at Krossneslaug?
Since it takes you at least two hours to get to Krossneslaug, you should spend as much time here as you want. We recommend at least an hour to make it worth the trip.
Can I Swim in the Ocean at Krossneslaug?
You can, but you shouldn’t. You can always contact the owner and ask him when it’s safe if you really want to, but we would advise against it.
Do I Need a 4x4 to Get to Krossneslaug?
No, a 2WD is enough if you go there in the summer. A 4x4 will make it easier to drive the gravel road, but a 2WD is good enough if you drive carefully.
Can I Buy Snacks at Krossneslaug?
No, there are no shops at Krossneslaug. The closest place to buy snacks is Café Nordurfjördur just 3 kilometers south of the pool.
Can I Rent a Towel at Krossneslaug?
No, there is no towel rental at Krossneslaug, you must bring your own or do a daring act of air-drying.
Visiting Krossneslaug: Relax Mind and Body
The Land of Fire and Ice has an abundance of hot springs scattered all over the country. The natural hot springs in the Westfjords are few and far between, so when you get the chance to visit one, we strongly suggest you take it. Even though the ride there is a little bit of a mission, there are places to stop along the way and the views you’ll see makes the trip worthwhile.
When you go on adventures like these in Iceland, plans can change fast when you see something new you want to do or see. That’s why we recommend that you rent a campervan in Iceland before you head out on your adventure. This way, you never have to worry about where you’re going to sleep for the night, and you don’t have to stick to check-in and check-out times at the hotels. Take charge of your adventure with a campervan in Iceland!
