#seljavallalaug

Seljavallalaug

According to Atlas Obscura,  Seljavallalaug is a pool on the southern coast of Iceland that was built back in 1923, making it possibly the oldest pool in Iceland. The 82-foot long pool was built into the hillside as a place to teach locals how to swim. The pool is fed by a nearby hotspring, warming the waters. When I arrived at Seljavallalaug, I was warned by pool-goers that there was only one single pipe of hot water that was keeping the pool warm. The weather that day was actually pretty awful. Winds were gusting 50-60 mph, with rain and sleet showers. Needless to say, it was cold AF. Was it worth it, of course! The 20-minute hike in alone was incredible. The views here are mind-blowing. Today, while  Seljavallalaug is not officially maintained, volunteers do come out to clean it. 

To access Seljavallalaug, you’ll be driving on Route 1 (Ring Road) eastbound from Reykjavik past Seljalandsfoss driving towards the village of Skógar. Before you get to Skógar, you’ll see a little road on your left Road 242, where you’ll turn into. You’ll drive on the paved road and then continue straight where the road becomes a gravel road with a ton of potholes. Keep driving for a good while, and you’ll start seeing cars parked after a few minutes. (I thought I was going the wrong way but kept driving and saw other people!) 

Park your car, and prepare for a leisurely 20-minute hike in!