Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

About Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

Seljavallalaug is an outdoor geothermal pool in the Seljavellir valley below Eyjafjallajökull, off the Ring Road on Iceland's south coast between Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. It was built in 1923 by local volunteers led by Björn Andrésson from Berjaneskot, so that people in the district could learn to swim. At 25 metres long and 10 metres wide it was one of the largest pools in Iceland at the time.

The appeal is the setting: a concrete pool set into the hillside at the head of a narrow green valley, fed by a hot spring and surrounded by steep slopes. When Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010 ash filled the pool, and volunteers dug it out by hand a year later. The water is only warm rather than hot, generally around 20 to 30°C and sometimes up to about 35°C in summer, so it feels cool on a cold day.

To get there, turn onto road 242 (Raufarfellsvegur) and drive to the small car park at the end. From there an easy path of about 0.9 km follows the valley floor, taking 15 to 20 minutes each way. Entry is free all year, and a donation box helps pay for upkeep.

Facilities are minimal: there is a basic changing hut, but no showers, toilets or running water, and no lifeguard. The pool is cleaned only about once a year by volunteers, so the water can look cloudy or green with algae, especially late in the season. Bring your own towel, take all rubbish away, and treat the changing hut with care. Early morning or evening visits are quieter than the middle of the day.