Glaciers, Wild Bathing and Hikes

There is something deeply satisfying in soaking into a hot tub as the sun starts going down, and even more so if a marvelous landscape stretches quietly before you eyes.

It’s cold outside, but I welcome the fresh breeze. As I rest my head onto a smooth lava rock behind me, I imagine how majestic it would be to see the Northern Light from this hot tub and I smile unconsciously.

We are in the geothermal Fontana spa right at the shores of Lake Laugarvatn, about 70 km away from Reykjavík. The establishment employs naturally heated water that comes straight from local natural springs—its beating heart sitting right below the saunas, often loud enough for you to hear the water bubbling as you sit in the steaming room.

The surrounding geothermal springs have been used by the inhabitants of Laugarvatn for decades, whether it’s heating up houses or cooking, and guests can still the process of baking bread with geothermal waters right here in Laugarvatn.

Fontana And The Hot Springs Of Laugarvatn

Going for a hike is a must-do activity in Iceland. The beautiful scenery comes in a package with fresh air, pleasant physical activity and—if you choose right—a dip in some [natural hot springs](http://grapevine.is/travel/traveling-on-your-own/2014/12/29/listicle-thermal-pools-in-the-south-of-iceland/) at the end.

The Reykjadalur hiking and hot springs day tour is one of the most popular adventures of its kind. Located just 40 minutes south of Reykjavík, [Reykjadalur](https://goo.gl/maps/k6BL3oYjCxS2) is an easy hike that nonetheless shows off many of the Icelandic landscape’s unique characteristics.

Reykjadalur (“smoky valley”, in English) is located near [Hveragerði](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hverager%C3%B0i), Europe’s capital of hot springs. As we approach the town over the Hellisheiði mountain pass, the surrounding mountains and fields are decorated with telltale columns of white steam. It’s a beautiful day—the sky is clear, the sun is rising, and the snowy mountains shine with pink sunlight in the freezing morning air.

The path leads up into the mountains, winding around the sides of a long valley. The hike is very nice, with picturesque views, but it’s a little scary at times—a few steps in the wrong direction could mean rolling down a long, steep mountainside. The trail isn’t difficult, but in winter conditions, it pays to take extra care.   
  
At the end, you're rewarded with a well-deserved 40-minute soak in a natural hot spring. For nature lovers who find it difficult to stand still in museums, and those who simply love to have rosy cheeks, this tour is a perfect fit.

Hiking to the Reykjadalur hot springs

Enjoy an amazing day tour that combines a wide variety of some of the best experiences Iceland has to offer! See the south coast, ride in a super jeep, hike across a glacier and descend into a natural ice cave formation.

With the assistance of one of our expert-guides you will be able to safely explore this frozen landscape but also learn about its rich history. The glaciers have stood for thousands of years and they have a lot of stories to tell.

“Each layer, compressed unfathomably tight, provides an untouched reconstruction of the time it last glistened under the sunlight. In each bubble, a microcosm of a past atmosphere forms…”

Every year the Icecaves will melt and reform as the temperature of the glacier fluctuates meaning no two trips are likely to be the same.

Ice cave tour in Katla

Just over 370 kilometres from Reykjavik, in the far southeast corner of the country, you’ll find the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This particular lake—Iceland’s deepest, in fact, at a depth of around 250 metres—is considered to be amongst one of the crown jewels of Icelandic nature. It’s easy to see why; calm and dreamy, the lagoon has the backdrop of jutting, angular Vatnajökull glaciers, and is liberally decorated by shining blue and white icebergs, all reaching upwards against the serene, mountainous surroundings.

Jökulsárlón also sits next to the so-called ‘diamond beach’: a majestic, Tim Burton-esque black sand shoreline, which owes the basalt-rich ground for its unusual colouring, and the glittering chunks of ice studding its length for its moniker. Once upon a time, the sea spilled into a river, travelling along for around 1.5 kilometres before opening up into the lagoon. But as the glaciers melted, Jökulsárlón grew, and now the beach and the lake sit right next to each other in one surreal, Swarovski-bedazzled landmark.

The journey from Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón is a long trip to make in a day, clocking in at around five hours each way. The differences between travelling through South Iceland in the summer and the winter can be stark. Lush green fields are transformed into shining white stretches, and the omnipresent moss covering the lava fields now boasts a glittering blanket of snow. Where delicate waterfalls once cascaded down grass-topped cliffs, frosty stalagmites have formed, stuck fast against the rock faces. These frozen waterfalls, with their sharply pointed fingers of ice, provide a stark—but equally beautiful—contrast to the flowing energy of the summer.  

A gorgeous and memorable trip for all ages.