Kerlingarfjöll: Highland Baths Admission

Kerlingarfjöll’s Highland Baths give you something rare in Iceland: a warm, quiet soak in the middle of the highlands, with rugged mountains all around and no resort-city bustle. You can move between three steaming pools, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool at your own pace.

I like the mountain views and the sense of stillness here. I also like the practical setup, with clean, efficient showers and products from Blue Lagoon available in the washrooms. The main catch is simple: towels and swimwear are not included, so pack both.

Key points to know before you book

• Three geothermal pools: Move between pools with different temperatures and find your preferred level of heat.
• Mountain-view sauna: Warm up indoors while keeping the stark highland scenery in sight.
• Cold plunge pool: A brisk dip gives your body a sharp reset after the hot water.
• Two-hour admission: Enough time for a relaxed soak, though hikers may want to plan their day carefully.
• Remote Ásgarður Valley setting: This is best paired with a hike or meal at Highland Base rather than treated as a quick roadside stop.
• Bring your own essentials: Admission covers the baths only, not a towel or swimwear.

Why the setting matters at Ásgarður Valley

The Highland Baths sit at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll in the Ásgarður Valley, a remote part of Iceland known for its dramatic mountain scenery and geothermal activity. Highland Base opened here in July 2023, creating a warm place to rest in an otherwise stark highland environment.

That location shapes the whole experience. You are not simply visiting a city spa with Icelandic decoration added afterward. The baths are part of a highland base where the outdoors is the main event. After a day on the trails, the warm water gives you a way to slow down without leaving the area.

I especially like the contrast between the baths and the surroundings. The water is comfortable and soothing, while the views remind you that you are in a wild, remote region. If you want a polished resort experience with a long list of treatments, this is not that. If you want geothermal bathing with a strong sense of place, the setting does much of the work.

What your two-hour visit looks like

Your admission is valid for two hours. The time is long enough for a proper soak, a sauna session, a cold plunge, and a shower without feeling rushed, provided you arrive ready to use the facilities.

The experience has no listed guided tour or formal sequence. You can choose your own rhythm. Start in one of the geothermal pools, shift to another when you want a change, take a sauna break, or try the cold pool before returning to the warmth.

That freedom is useful after hiking. You do not need to follow a group or keep to a guide’s schedule. At the same time, a two-hour limit means you should not treat the admission as an all-day lounge pass. If you are also planning a long hike, lunch, and dinner, check your timing before you book a start time.

The facilities include changing rooms, so you can arrive from your outdoor plans and get ready for the water. Clean and efficient showers make the visit more comfortable, and Blue Lagoon products are available in the shower area. That is a small detail, but it matters in a remote place where you may have spent the day outdoors.

Three geothermal pools with mountain views

The three hot pools are the heart of the visit. The supplied details do not give individual pool temperatures or names, so you should not expect a published circuit with exact heat levels. Instead, think of the pools as a small group of places to settle into the geothermal warmth and change position when you want to.

I like having three pools rather than one large basin. It gives you more choice and helps the experience feel less fixed. You can find a comfortable spot, enjoy the view, and move when you need a different temperature or a little more space.

The scenery is the real visual feature. The pools let you admire the mountains while sitting in warm water, which is the kind of Icelandic contrast that makes a bath here feel special. You are outside in a cold highland environment, yet comfortably warm.

The setting also means the weather can affect your experience. The bath admission promises views, but it cannot promise clear skies. On a bright day, the mountain outlook will be the star. In cloud or poor weather, the warmth and quiet still have value, but the visual payoff may be smaller.

The sauna and cold plunge pairing

The sauna offers a second way to warm up, with a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. I find this useful if you want a break from sitting in water. You can step out of the pool, spend time in the dry heat, then return to the bath when you are ready.

The cold plunge pool provides the opposite sensation. A brief dip can wake you up after the hot water and make the whole visit feel more active. You do not need to use it, but it is a welcome option for anyone who likes the traditional hot-and-cold bathing pattern.

The bath, sauna, and cold plunge create a simple circuit:

• Begin in a warm pool and let your body settle.
• Use the sauna for a change from the water.
• Try the cold plunge if that appeals to you.
• Return to the geothermal pools before showering and changing.

You control how much of this you do. I would not feel obliged to use every facility. If the cold pool sounds unpleasant, skip it. The three hot pools and sauna already provide a full two-hour visit.

Underground passages connect the baths with Highland Base

The baths are connected by underground passageways to Highland Base Hotel. This makes the facility more than a stand-alone pool in the mountains. It is part of a larger base with food, lodging, and access to outdoor activities.

The passageways are a practical touch in a remote setting. They connect the bathing area with the hotel without requiring you to walk outside between the facilities. The supplied details do not specify which parts of the hotel are available to bath ticket holders beyond the listed optional restaurant access, so plan around the bath admission itself.

Highland Base also gives you a place to eat before or after your soak. The 80-seat restaurant serves coffee and waffles, bistro-style comfort food, and buffet meals. That range matters because you can make the stop as light or as substantial as your day requires.

A coffee and waffle break may suit you after a short outing. A proper meal makes more sense after a longer hike. The restaurant is optional and not included in the $49 admission, so budget for it separately.

Pairing a soak with Kerlingarfjöll hiking

The Highland Baths make the most sense as part of a wider Kerlingarfjöll day. The area has trails ranging from about one kilometer to 50 kilometers, with guided and unguided options. You can choose a short walk through the geothermal valleys or spend much longer tackling the higher peaks.

A three-hour hike through the geothermal valleys pairs especially well with the two-hour bath admission. You get enough time outside to appreciate the area, then a clear recovery period in the warm water. A longer hike may also work, but you will need to watch your schedule and energy.

I would plan the bath for after the hike if your main aim is relaxation. Warm water feels especially good once your legs have had a full day outdoors. If you are hiking later, remember that a long soak can make you feel sleepy and relaxed, so the order may depend on your plans.

The bath ticket does not include hiking, guides, meals, or transport. It covers admission to the Highland Baths only. That makes it easy to add to a separate Kerlingarfjöll plan, but you should not assume the ticket builds a complete day package.

Is $49 good value?

At $49 per person, this is not a cheap swim. The value comes from the location and the combination of facilities rather than from a long list of included extras.

You are paying for a two-hour visit with three geothermal pools, a sauna, a cold plunge, changing rooms, showers, and mountain views. In a remote highland setting, the chance to clean up and rest after outdoor activity adds real practical value.

The price works best for you if you already plan to spend time at Kerlingarfjöll. If you are making a special trip into the area, the bath can be a worthwhile part of the day. The cost is harder to justify if you only want a quick soak and have no interest in the surrounding hikes or Highland Base facilities.

Remember to add the cost of any meal at the restaurant, along with the inconvenience of bringing your own towel and swimwear. Blue Lagoon shower products are available, but that does not replace a towel or bathing suit.

What to pack for the Highland Baths

Pack swimwear and a towel. Both are specifically excluded from admission, and forgetting either one could turn a simple bath visit into an awkward problem.

I would also keep your booking time in mind when organizing your day. The admission lasts two hours, so arrive with enough time to change and use the facilities without cutting your soak short.

Since the bath is in a remote highland setting, it is sensible to keep your outdoor plans and bathing plans connected. A hike, a meal at Highland Base, and the bath can form a convenient day plan, but each activity is separate and may require its own booking or payment.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend the Highland Baths to you if you want a quiet geothermal stop in a dramatic setting. It suits hikers, couples, and anyone who prefers a smaller, calmer bathing experience over a large entertainment-focused spa.

It is also a good choice if you are staying at or spending time around Highland Base. The underground hotel connection, restaurant, and nearby trails make it easier to build a full visit around the bath.

You may want to skip it if you dislike changing between hot and cold facilities, need towel rental included, or expect a full-service spa with treatments. There is no indication that massage or other treatments are part of this admission. This is a straightforward geothermal bathing experience, not a day spa package.

The facility has earned especially strong praise for its quiet atmosphere, clean showers, and mountain views. Those are the points I would prioritize when deciding. The water itself is appealing, but the feeling of sitting in warmth while looking out across Kerlingarfjöll is the real reason to come.

Booking flexibility and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans depend on weather or changing highland conditions.

Availability is tied to starting times, so check the schedule before planning your hike and meal. The ticket is valid for two hours, not an open-ended visit.

Because no transport is included in the admission details, you should arrange your own way to Highland Base and confirm your wider route separately. The bath ticket itself is simply entry to the facility.

Should you book the Highland Baths?

Book this if you are already heading to Kerlingarfjöll and want a relaxing finish to a day outdoors. The combination of three hot pools, a sauna, cold plunge, clean showers, and wide mountain views gives the $49 price a fair case, especially when you value the setting as much as the soak.

I would be less quick to book it as a stand-alone attraction without plans for the area. The experience lasts two hours, towels and swimwear cost you extra if you need them, and food is separate. But for a highland hiking day followed by geothermal warmth, this is a well-judged add-on and one of the more memorable ways to rest at Kerlingarfjöll.

FAQ

Where are the Highland Baths located?

The Highland Baths are at Highland Base in the Ásgarður Valley, at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll in Iceland’s Southern Region.

How long does admission last?

Admission is valid for two hours.

What does the $49 admission include?

The price includes admission to the Highland Baths.

Are towels and swimwear provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel and swimwear.

What facilities are available?

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

Can I eat at Highland Base?

Yes. Lunch or dinner at the 80-seat Highland Base Restaurant is available as an optional extra. The restaurant offers coffee and waffles, bistro comfort food, and buffet dining.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.