Kerlingarfjöll: Highland Baths Admission

Kerlingarfjöll’s Highland Baths put a hot soak in an unusually wild setting. You relax in warm geothermal water while sharp mountain views replace the usual spa walls, and the remote Ásgarður Valley gives the whole visit a quiet, away-from-it-all feel. The mountain setting and three steaming pools are the main draw.

I like the easy mix of heat, sauna, and cold plunge. I also like that the bath facilities connect underground to Highland Base Hotel, so you can pair your soak with lunch, dinner, coffee, or waffles. The main drawback is simple: the $49 admission does not include a towel or swimwear, and two hours can pass quickly if you also want to eat or hike.

Key points to know before you book

• Three geothermal pools: Rotate between warm water, the sauna, and the cold plunge rather than treating this as a single-pool soak.
• A remote mountain view: The baths sit in Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll, where the scenery is a major part of the experience.
• Useful after hiking: A warm soak makes sense after exploring the area’s trails, which range from one kilometer to 50 kilometers.
• Bring your own gear: Admission covers the baths only. You need swimwear and a towel.
• Pair it with a meal: The connected Highland Base Hotel has an 80-seat restaurant serving coffee, waffles, bistro food, and buffet meals.
• Plan around a two-hour visit: The admission is valid for two hours, so choose your bathing time with your meal or hike in mind.

A hot soak at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll

Highland Base opened in July 2023 in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of the Kerlingarfjöll mountain area. The setting matters. You are not simply stepping into a warm pool beside a town or hotel district. You are stopping at a highland refuge surrounded by open mountain views and a sense of distance from ordinary Iceland sightseeing.

The bath complex has three steaming pools. That gives you room to change your pace and temperature without leaving the water area. You can settle into one pool for a slow soak, move to another, then use the sauna or cold plunge to wake yourself up.

I would treat this as a restorative stop rather than a full spa day. The admission lasts two hours, which is enough for an unhurried bathing session, but not necessarily enough for a long soak, a full meal, and a substantial hike. If you arrive with several plans, keep an eye on the clock.

Three pools, one sauna, and a cold plunge

The basic rhythm is pleasantly old-fashioned: heat up, cool down, repeat. Start in one of the warm pools, let your shoulders loosen, and take time to look outward rather than staring at the water. The mountain views are part of what you are paying for.

The three pools give the bath area more variety than a single hot tub. I like this setup for people who do not all want the same level of heat. You can move between pools instead of having to leave the water when the temperature no longer suits you.

The sauna adds another layer of warmth and comes with a spectacular view. This is a good place to slow down after a hike, though you should keep your sauna session sensible and use the cold pool or regular changing area to cool off afterward.

The cold plunge is not a decorative extra. It gives the visit a brisk counterpoint to the hot water and lets you follow a familiar Icelandic bathing pattern. If cold water is not your thing, you can simply skip it. The important point is that the bath offers several ways to manage your comfort.

Why the mountain view changes the experience

A hot pool is pleasant almost anywhere. Here, the setting gives it purpose. Kerlingarfjöll is known for dramatic highland scenery, and the bath allows you to enjoy that scenery without needing to be on a trail or climbing a peak.

The best part of the visit may be the quiet. One of the strongest impressions from the available feedback is the combination of mountain views and calm. Another especially positive detail is the clean, effective shower area, with Blue Lagoon products available for use. That is a practical bonus after a long day outside.

Still, keep your expectations grounded. This is a remote highland bathing stop, not a giant resort with a long list of treatments or entertainment. The appeal comes from geothermal warmth, clean facilities, a sauna, a cold plunge, and the view. If you want a large-scale spa complex, this may feel modest. If you want a peaceful soak in a striking setting, the format makes good sense.

The two-hour visit, from changing room to final soak

Your visit begins with the practical business of changing. Since the admission does not include a towel or swimwear, pack both before you set out. The changing rooms and showers are part of the facility, and the showers are a real advantage when you have spent time hiking or driving through the highlands.

From there, you can settle into the geothermal pools. I would not rush straight through all three. Give yourself time to enjoy the view, then change pools when you want a different level of heat or a fresh position.

Next, try the sauna if you enjoy dry heat. Its view-facing design helps it feel connected to the surrounding mountains rather than sealed away from them. Follow it with the cold plunge if you want the full hot-and-cold cycle.

The underground passageways connect the bath facilities with Highland Base Hotel. This makes the complex more useful than a stand-alone pool, especially if the weather is unpleasant or you want food before or after your soak. The information provided does not specify a required order for the facilities, so you can shape the two hours around your own comfort.

Add lunch or dinner at Highland Base

The 80-seat Highland Base Restaurant gives you an easy way to turn the bath admission into a longer stop. The food offering ranges from coffee and waffles to bistro comfort food and buffet dining. That range is useful because not every bath visit needs a formal meal.

If you are hiking early and need something simple, coffee and waffles may fit better than a full dinner. After a longer outing, bistro food or a buffet may be the more sensible choice. Restaurant charges are not included in the $49 bath admission, so budget for them separately.

I like this pairing because it helps the baths fit into a day in Kerlingarfjöll. You can hike, eat, and soak without treating each activity as a separate complicated stop. Just remember that the admission itself is limited to two hours. If you want to linger over food, allow time outside that bathing period.

Hiking options in the Ásgarður Valley

The Highland Base area offers hiking routes from one kilometer to 50 kilometers, with guided and unguided choices. That is a wide spread. A short walk can give you a taste of the surrounding geothermal valleys, while a full-day outing can take you toward the higher peaks of Kerlingarfjöll.

The bath works especially well after a shorter or moderate hike. You get the best of both activities without turning the day into an endurance test. A longer hike may also make the hot water feel more rewarding, but you need to plan your energy and timing carefully.

One suggested outing is an exploration of the geothermal valleys in about three hours. Other routes can take a full day and include the area’s highest peaks. Since the bath admission is valid for two hours, hiking and bathing are best treated as separate blocks in your schedule rather than squeezed into one narrow window.

The available information does not give trail conditions, elevation details, or transport arrangements. Check current local conditions before choosing a route, and do not assume that a short distance automatically means an easy walk in Iceland’s highlands.

Is $49 good value?

At $49 per person, the Highland Baths are not a throwaway stop. The price is easier to justify if you value the setting and plan to use the full two hours. You are paying for access to three geothermal pools, a sauna, a cold plunge, changing rooms, showers, and the mountain view.

The value improves after a day outdoors. A warm soak can serve a real purpose when you are tired from hiking, and the clean showers and available Blue Lagoon products add comfort before your next activity or meal.

The price is less attractive if you only want a quick dip or if you already have access to another hot pool during your Iceland trip. The towel and swimwear being excluded also mean you need to arrive prepared. There are no listed meals, hikes, or hotel services included in this admission.

For me, the best value comes from building a proper half-day around it: hike, eat, then bathe, or bathe first and enjoy a meal afterward. If you use only a small part of the two-hour period, the cost may feel high.

Who will like this experience most

I would recommend the Highland Baths to you if you enjoy combining outdoor activity with simple comfort. It suits hikers who want a warm finish, photographers and sightseers who appreciate mountain views, and couples or friends looking for a quiet break in the highlands.

It also works for people who enjoy Icelandic bathing traditions but do not want to spend an entire day at a large spa. The cold plunge and sauna make the visit more active than simply sitting in warm water.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choice of three pools, though the available information does not specify age rules or child facilities. Anyone who dislikes cold plunges can skip that part, and anyone who prefers not to use a sauna can stay with the pools.

I would think twice if you are not already planning to be in the Kerlingarfjöll area. The attraction is the combination of remote setting and geothermal bathing. The details provided do not include transportation or transfer arrangements, so do not assume admission includes a ride to the highlands.

Practical preparation for your visit

Pack swimwear and a towel. These are not included, and forgetting either one can make the visit less comfortable.

Allow enough time to find the facility, change, bathe, shower, and leave without rushing. The admission is valid for two hours, and the clock matters if you also plan to eat or hike.

Bring a plan for the rest of your day. The baths connect underground with Highland Base Hotel, and the restaurant can cover anything from coffee and waffles to a more filling meal. Hiking routes in the area range widely in length, so decide in advance whether the bath is your main activity or your reward after a walk.

The cancellation terms are traveler-friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Iceland schedule depends on weather or road conditions.

Should you book the Highland Baths?

Book this experience if you will be near Kerlingarfjöll and want a calm, scenic way to recover from time outdoors. The mountain views, quiet atmosphere, clean showers, three warm pools, sauna, and cold plunge make the $49 price reasonable when you use the full two hours.

I would skip it only if your schedule is too tight for a proper visit, you are unwilling to carry your own towel and swimwear, or you want a large resort-style spa. For a remote Iceland highland stop, this is a focused and appealing experience: warm water, clean facilities, striking views, and little fuss.

FAQ

How long is admission to the Highland Baths?

Admission is valid for two hours.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is $49 per person.

What is included in the admission?

Admission includes access to the Highland Baths.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is swimwear included?

No. You need to bring your own swimwear.

What facilities are at the Highland Baths?

The facilities include three steaming pools, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, changing rooms, showers, and underground passageways connecting to Highland Base Hotel.

Can I use a sauna?

Yes. A sauna is included among the bath facilities, with a view of the surrounding mountains.

Is there a cold plunge pool?

Yes. The Highland Baths include a cold plunge pool.

Can I eat at Highland Base?

Yes. Highland Base has an 80-seat restaurant offering coffee and waffles, bistro comfort food, and buffet dining. Food is not listed as part of the bath admission.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.