Kerlingarfjöll: Highland Baths Admission

Steam meets Iceland’s high country. The Highland Baths at Kerlingarfjöll offer a rare mix of quiet mountain views and geothermal comfort in the remote Ásgarður Valley. I like the three warm pools, and I especially like the clean, efficient showers with Blue Lagoon products available. The setting feels calmer and less polished than Iceland’s famous spa stops, which is part of its charm.

I also enjoy the sauna’s wide view and the chance to cool off in the cold plunge. The main drawback is simple: towels and swimwear are not included, so you need to pack both. At $49 per person for two hours, this is not a casual roadside soak, but it can be good value after a long hike or mountain drive.

Five things to know before you go

• Three geothermal pools give you room to move between different warm bathing spots.
• The sauna faces the mountains, making the view part of the experience rather than a backdrop.
• A cold plunge pool adds a sharp Icelandic finish after the heat.
• Highland Base opened in July 2023 and connects its bath facilities to the hotel through underground passageways.
• A two-hour visit works well after hiking, with meals and longer trail outings available nearby.
• Bring your own towel and swimwear, since admission covers the baths only.

Arriving in the Ásgarður Valley

The Highland Baths sit at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll in the Ásgarður Valley, far from Iceland’s better-known spa circuit. That remote location changes the mood from the start. You are not simply stopping for a warm pool. You are bathing in the middle of a highland setting shaped by mountains, open space, and geothermal heat.

Highland Base opened in July 2023 as a place to sleep, eat, rest, and warm up in this demanding part of Iceland. The baths are one part of that larger refuge, but admission lets you use the bathing facilities without booking a room.

I like the way the location gives the visit a clear purpose. After a day outdoors, hot water feels practical, not merely decorative. You can wash off the stiffness of a hike, sit quietly, and let the mountain air do the rest.

Still, the setting comes with a tradeoff. Kerlingarfjöll is remote, so this is not the easiest bath to add to a quick Iceland itinerary. It makes the most sense when you already plan to visit the area for hiking or a highland stay.

The three warm pools

Your two-hour visit centers on three steaming pools. The supplied details do not give each pool a different temperature or shape, so I would not expect a formal circuit with named stations. Instead, you can treat the trio as several places to sit, soak, and find your preferred view.

That variety matters. A single pool can feel crowded or limiting, but three pools give you some choice in where you settle. You may want one quiet corner for a long soak, then shift to another pool when you feel ready to look out toward the mountains.

The appeal here is not a long list of spa treatments. There are no massages or beauty services included. The value comes from natural geothermal warmth, open views, and the chance to slow down in a place where outdoor activity is usually the main event.

The bathing area also has a strong sense of contrast. Kerlingarfjöll can feel forbidding and severe, while the pools offer heat and comfort. That contrast gives the experience more character than a standard indoor wellness stop.

The sauna and mountain view

The sauna is a major reason to choose this admission instead of simply searching for a local swimming pool. Its view lets you stay warm while still feeling connected to the highland setting.

I would use the sauna in short rounds rather than treating it as the whole visit. Sit, look out, then return to one of the warm pools. The pleasure comes from moving between heat, open air, and water instead of remaining in one place for two hours.

The views are weather-dependent, of course. On a clear day, the mountains should be the star. In poor weather, the sauna still offers warmth, but the visual reward may be reduced. That is worth keeping in mind when judging the $49 price.

The quiet is another strong point. The available feedback repeatedly praises the peaceful atmosphere and the mountain views. This is useful guidance for anyone who dislikes loud, crowded spa settings. The Highland Baths seem best suited to people who want a calm pause rather than a social pool party.

The cold plunge for a sharp finish

The cold plunge pool provides the most bracing part of the visit. After time in the geothermal pools or sauna, you can take a brief dip to cool down.

I would treat it as an optional challenge, not a requirement. The bath admission includes access to it, but you can have a complete experience without using it. If you enjoy the traditional pattern of hot water followed by cold water, this gives the visit a stronger Icelandic bathhouse feel.

The cold pool also helps break up a long soak. Two hours is enough time to relax, but staying in hot water continuously may become tiring. A short cold plunge can reset your body before you return to the warm pools.

There are no stated instructions about how long to stay in the cold water, so use common sense and keep your own comfort in charge. The important point is that the facility offers both extremes in one compact visit.

Showers, changing rooms, and the underground link

Changing rooms are included among the facilities. Towel rental is not listed, so pack a towel, along with your swimwear.

The showers deserve special attention. They are described as clean and efficient, and Blue Lagoon products are available. That is a practical touch, especially if you have just finished hiking and want to feel properly refreshed before eating or continuing your journey.

The facilities also connect to Highland Base Hotel through underground passageways. If you are staying at the hotel, that link should make it easier to move between lodging and bathing without returning outside. For day visitors, the passageways are an interesting part of the design, but the main benefit remains the baths themselves.

The information provided does not state that a towel, robe, or other spa accessories come with admission. I would pack lightly but deliberately: swimsuit, towel, and any personal items you need after bathing.

A useful two-hour rhythm

The ticket is valid for two hours, and that is enough time for a relaxed visit if you use it well. I would not rush from pool to sauna to cold plunge like you are checking boxes. The setting rewards a slower pace.

A sensible rhythm might look like this:

• Begin in one of the warm pools and let your body settle.
• Move between the three pools to enjoy different positions and views.
• Spend a short period in the sauna.
• Try the cold plunge if that appeals to you.
• Return to the warm water for a final rest.
• Leave enough time for the changing rooms and showers.

This is not a guided activity, and no guide is named or required. You set your own pace. That makes the visit easy to fit around hiking, dining, or a wider stay at Highland Base.

The two-hour limit also keeps the experience focused. You are less likely to lose an entire day to the spa, which matters in an area with trails and mountain sights to explore. On the other hand, anyone hoping for a full-day wellness retreat will find the admission too limited.

Add lunch, dinner, or a Kerlingarfjöll hike

The Highland Base Restaurant offers an easy meal option before or after bathing. Its 80-seat dining room serves coffee and waffles, bistro-style comfort food, and buffet meals. The food is not part of the $49 admission, so plan to pay separately if you eat there.

I like this pairing because it turns the bath into part of a complete highland day. A hot soak followed by a hearty meal makes more sense here than treating the pools as an isolated attraction. You can also eat first, then use the baths to relax before leaving the area.

Hiking is the other natural companion. The local trail network ranges from one kilometer to 50 kilometers, with guided and unguided options. A shorter outing through the geothermal valleys can take about three hours, while longer routes reach toward Kerlingarfjöll’s highest peaks.

That range makes the baths useful for different kinds of visitors. You might take a brief walk and then soak, or spend most of the day on a demanding trail and use the baths as your reward. The information does not promise that trails are open in every condition, so check local conditions when planning your day.

The baths are particularly valuable after outdoor activity because they offer more than scenery. They give you a place to warm up, rinse off, and rest. If you are visiting only for the baths, the remote drive may make the price feel high. If you are already hiking or staying nearby, the same admission is easier to justify.

Is $49 a fair price?

At $49 per person, the Highland Baths sit in the paid spa category rather than the everyday public pool category. Admission covers two hours and access to the three warm pools, sauna, cold plunge, changing rooms, and showers.

The value depends heavily on your plans. I would consider it worthwhile if you are spending time in Kerlingarfjöll and want a peaceful recovery stop with mountain views. The clean showers and Blue Lagoon products add practical value, especially after hiking.

I would think twice if you are making a long detour only for a short soak. The bath itself is appealing, but the cost does not include a towel, swimwear, food, hiking, or transport. You need to bring your own towel and pay separately for lunch or dinner.

The strongest part of the price is the location. You are paying for access to geothermal bathing in a remote highland setting, not just warm water. If quiet scenery matters to you, that setting may justify the admission. If you care mainly about elaborate spa services, the facilities listed here may feel too basic.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the Highland Baths to hikers, hotel guests, couples, and anyone who prefers quiet outdoor bathing to a busy resort atmosphere. The mountain views and calm setting are the main attractions, and the feedback on both points is especially strong.

It also suits people who like to control their own visit. There is no stated guided program, no fixed sequence, and no need to join a group activity. You can spend your time in the pools, sauna, or cold plunge as you wish.

Families or visitors who dislike cold water can simply skip the plunge. The three warm pools provide the core experience. The available information does not give age rules or family policies, so check those details before booking if you are traveling with children.

This is less suited to anyone seeking a large entertainment complex, extensive treatments, or a full-day spa package. The Highland Baths are about heat, quiet, clean facilities, and the highland view.

Booking and practical details

Admission costs $49 per person and lasts two hours. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland route may change.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Starting times depend on availability, so check the current schedule before you build the rest of your day around the bath.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A towel

The towel and swimwear are not included. The bath admission itself covers access to the Highland Baths, but not restaurant meals or other activities at Highland Base.

Should you book the Highland Baths?

Book it if you are already heading to Kerlingarfjöll, especially after hiking or when staying at Highland Base. The combination of quiet mountain views, geothermal pools, sauna, and clean showers gives this two-hour visit a clear purpose.

Skip it if you would need a major detour and only want a cheap swim. At $49, the value rests on the remote setting and the peaceful experience, not on a long list of included extras.

For the right itinerary, this is a smart highland pause. Bring your towel, leave room for a meal or a short hike, and let the severe mountain setting make the warm water feel even better.

FAQ

How much does admission to the Highland Baths cost?

Admission costs $49 per person.

How long is the Highland Baths visit?

The admission is valid for two hours. Available starting times can be checked when booking.

What does the Highland Baths admission include?

Admission includes access to the Highland Baths, including the three geothermal pools, sauna, cold plunge pool, changing rooms, and showers.

Do I need to bring a towel and swimwear?

Yes. Swimwear and a towel are not included, so you should bring both.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What else can I do at Highland Base?

You can eat at the Highland Base Restaurant or hike in the Kerlingarfjöll area. Hiking options range from one kilometer to 50 kilometers, with guided and unguided routes available.