The swimming culture is strong on Iceland. While many people are scrambling for tickets to the most popular tourist lagoons or choosing the public pools present in most towns, there’s a historical secret nestled in the mountains, waiting to be explored. Seljavallalaug is Iceland’s oldest pool and something not to be missed.
The History of Seljavallalaug
Seljavallalaug was originally built in 1923 by Björn Andrésson. While the Secret Lagoon was built prior to this date, Seljavallalaug is the first pool rather than a lagoon. The pool measures 10 meters by 25 meters and starts at 1.2 meters deep in the shallow end to 1.8 meters deep in the deep end, making it the largest pool in the county until Laugardalslaug was built in Reykjavík in 1936.
It was built by some visionaries that wanted to provide the locals with a place where they could learn how to swim.
Unlike today, where Icelanders won’t graduate school without passing a swim test, most Icelanders didn’t know how to swim in the beginning of the 1900s which was a problem since many of them lived off fishing. It was important to get these things in order and those who built this pool knew that.
It is naturally fed with hot water with a temperature ranging between 20 and 30°C. The pool was initially meant for teaching the children in the area to swim and quickly became a family swimming spot.
Getting There
The Seljavallalaug pool is located to the east of Reykjavík along the Ring Road. About an hour and a half down the road, turn onto Route 242 to the Seljavallalaug swimming pool car park. You don’t need a 4×4 or larger vehicle to reach this swimming pool.
After parking your vehicle, you must take a short hike of about 15-20 minutes into the valley. The round-trip hike is about 3.2 kilometers of mostly flat terrain, although it does cross a rocky riverbed that requires care.
The Experience
Visitors can enjoy a swim in Seljavallalaug day or night with no admission required. There is a basic building on site for visitors to change but no showers, toilets, or lockers like many of the other pools. There are no separate areas for men and women and the building isn’t always clean. However, the water is clean, even when algae is present, and constantly refreshing from the spring.
The primary complaint individuals have about Seljavallalaug is the presence of algae, particularly in the summer months, making the bottom and sides slippery. The pool is only cleaned once a year by locals and has minimal water flow, making it one of the least hygienic pools in the country.
Another thing to note is that the pool’s temperature fluctuates throughout the year. The summer months may have temperatures that feel too warm, while the fall and winter may see cooler temperatures in the pool. However, locals and visitors will swim year-round, making it an interesting experience for anyone interested in checking out the Seljavallalaug hot springs.
Tips for Visiting
When visiting Seljavallalaug in Iceland, you may find you are the only one there, or you may arrive to numerous people in the pool. Be prepared to share the area with others. Maintain a quiet vibe with no splashing or roughhousing.
Be sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, and sandals or flip flops for your time at the pool. Hiking boots and hiking clothes are also important to make your hike to and from the parking lot more comfortable.
Alcohol is strictly forbidden at the pool, but feel free to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy a picnic after your swim while you enjoy the surrounding scenery.
There are also no lifeguards or staff, so swimming is at your own risk.
Nearby Points of Interest
Whether Seljavallalaug is the main focus of your day or a short stop, there are many other things you can visit nearby. If you’re in the mood for waterfalls, you’ll find Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Gljúfrabúi within a short drive. The pool can be a great place to relax after hiking the Fimmvörðuháls trail.
Other options close to the Seljavallalaug pool include Eyjafjallajökull, Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Þakgil, and Hjörleifshöfði.
If you’re thinking about adding a journey to Iceland’s oldest swimming pool to your itinerary, you can easily get there with the best campervan rentals. Although camping isn’t allowed at the site, you’ll find plenty of camping options just a short drive away, making Seljavallalaug an excellent addition to your itinerary.
