What “Car-Only” Really Means In Iceland

A quick reality check. Iceland doesn’t do trains, and buses mostly stick to the Golden Circle, Reykjavík, and a few predictable tourist corridors. Once you step outside that bubble, public transport fades fast.

When I say these hidden hot springs are reachable only by car, I mean:

• No scheduled buses
• No tour operators
• Often, there are no signs at all
• Sometimes, a gravel road that makes you double-check your insurance

And yes, some of them involve a short walk. But without a car, you won’t even get close. That’s part of why they’ve stayed under the radar.

A Few Things To Know Before You Go Looking

Before diving into specific hot springs, a bit of practical honesty goes a long way.

Car choice matters

For most of these spots in west Iceland and along remote coastal stretches, a regular 2WD works in summer.

Once shoulder season hits, or if the road looks more gray than black, a 4x4 stops being a luxury and starts being common sense.

Timing is everything

Early morning and late evening are your friends. Midday is when even hidden gems stop feeling hidden.

Respect the land

Many natural hot spring sites sit on or near private property. If there’s a gate, a sign, or a clear request to keep distance, listen. Icelanders are generous about access, but not pushovers.

Hidden Hot Springs Worth The Drive

These aren’t “secret” in the sense that no one knows about them. They’re hidden because they demand effort. And that effort filters people out.

1 - Reykjadalur’s Upper Pools (Past Where Most People Turn Back)

Most visitors hike into Reykjadalur, soak in the river, snap a photo, and leave. Few keep going.

If you follow the valley further, past the crowded stretch, the geothermal activity becomes more scattered and more personal.

Smaller pockets form where water temperatures vary wildly depending on recent rainfall and underground shifts.

The drive from Reykjavík is straightforward, but the reward comes from not stopping where the trail tells you to. Less chatter. More steam. Worth it.

2 - Hrunalaug (When You Arrive At The Right Hour)

Hrunalaug gets mentioned a lot, but it’s still a hidden gem if you treat it properly.

This natural hot spring sits on private property near the Golden Circle, which is why etiquette matters more here than almost anywhere else. Early morning or late evening visits change the entire experience. Midday? Skip it.

It’s small. No larger pool to spread out. Just warm, mineral-rich water and a silence that feels earned.

Water temperatures stay comfortably hot year-round, but space is limited, so timing is your best ally.

3 - Krossneslaug’s Quiet Neighbors (Strandir Coast)

Everyone talks about Krossneslaug itself, but few explore beyond the main geothermal pool. That’s where the real magic hides.

The drive along the Strandir Coast is long, slow, and absolutely not for people in a rush. Gravel roads, weather mood swings, and stretches where you’ll wonder if you missed a turn. You didn’t.

Here, smaller pools form naturally near the shoreline. Not a larger pool experience, more like solitary soaking with the Arctic Ocean breathing beside you. This part of Iceland feels forgotten in the best possible way.

4 - Hoffell Hot Pots (Not The Ones By the Parking Lot)

Near the Ring Road in southeast Iceland, Hoffell is often treated as a quick stop. Big mistake.

A short walk beyond the main geothermal pool area leads to quieter pots with better views and fewer people.

The water temperatures tend to be slightly cooler, which is a downside until you realize you can stay in longer.

This is one of those places where “just five more minutes” turns into an hour.

5 - Hellulaug (Small, Windy, Perfect)

Hellulaug in west Iceland doesn’t try to impress. It’s a small natural hot spring tucked beside the ocean, with room for maybe five people, six if you’re friendly.

Wind can be brutal. The pool is shallow. And yet, it’s unforgettable.

There are no tours here. No buses. Just a rough drive, a quiet soak, and the kind of stillness that makes you forget the Blue Lagoon ever existed.

Why These Hot Springs Don’t Have Tours

People often ask why tours don’t go to places like this. The answer is simple: they can’t scale.

• Roads aren’t built for buses
• Facilities are minimal or nonexistent
• The environmental impact would be immediate

Iceland is actively choosing not to overdevelop these places. That’s why renting a car opens doors that guided travel never will.

How To Plan A Hot Spring Day (Without Rushing It)

Here’s what’s worked for me:

• Pick one region, not five
• Pair one hot spring with one scenic drive
• Avoid stacking stops too close together
• Build in time to stay longer than planned

Hot springs in Iceland aren’t about ticking boxes. They’re about lingering.

Common Mistakes We See All The Time

• Trusting GPS blindly on gravel roads
• Ignoring wind and weather changes
• Assuming every pool has facilities
• Visiting during peak daylight hours

And the biggest one? Treating these places like attractions instead of experiences.

Why A Car Changes Everything

There’s a reason these hidden hot springs stay hidden. They’re not on bus routes. They’re not convenient. They’re not designed for crowds.

Having your own car means you can chase good weather, leave when a place fills up, and stop when something unexpected catches your eye.

If you’re planning to explore beyond the Golden Circle or dip into west Iceland properly, renting from a local company like Mycar makes sense.

Not because of flashy extras, but because they understand Icelandic roads, conditions, and the kind of travel that actually works here.

Bottom Line

The best hot springs in Iceland don’t announce themselves. They sit quietly at the end of long roads, waiting for people willing to slow down.

And once you’re soaking, steam rising, wind howling somewhere behind you, it becomes obvious why they’re still hidden. Some places are better when you have to work a little to find them.