Journey to the Hot River!

Since I have arrived in Iceland, my co workers have been talking about this 'hot river'. I've been bugging them to take me, and finally on Sunday Klara took me! We went with Zsofie, Katrin and Joss, three girls who I work with at the hostel. Essentially, the river is in a valley up in the mountains by the town with all the green houses. Its where a hot river and a cold stream meet to make a river that is the perfect temperature. Its almost as hot as a hot tub and just as relaxing with the current. The river itself is very shallow, so locals built damns with rocks to pool the water so its deep enough for a few people to relax in.


We started our journey by going on an hour long hike up the mountain. It rained on us for the first half hour, but cleared up when we got to the valley at the top of the trail. The hike up was beautiful. The landscape was covered in steam pots and the view of the south coast ocean was stunning.

The trail up was a bit frightening at times. Some parts we were on a small dirt path on the edge of a mountain and it just dropped down into the valley below. If you were to make a wrong step it would be very easy to fall.

This is when we ended up in this amazing valley on top of the mountain, surrounded by steam and hot rivers (either too hot or too cool to swim in).

Path on the right, steep slope and a boiling hot steam pot at the bottom. Don't slip!

Joss, Zsofie and Katrin

After a long walk (and getting a little lost) we finally found the hot river! It was easy to spot with all the steam that comes off of it, but we had to find a way to cross a few rivers (that ended in Joss falling in a few times)

Hot River!

Zsofie, Katrin

Zsofie, Klara, Joss

Others relaxing in the river

Joss, Klara

Really Steamy!

Me, Katrin, Joss (relaxing against rock damn) and Zsofie

While we were in the river the sun finally came out and warmed everything else up. Parts of the river were shallow enough to be able to lie down and sun bathe while the hot water ran over your body.

After two and a half hours of being in the water, we finally decided to walk back. Thankfully we didn't have to worry about the sun going down because it doesn't get dark till eleven. Klara was telling me last time she went, her and Ed went during the fall. They spent too much time in the water and they ended up having to use the light from their cellphones to get back. If you could see the paths to get home you most definitely wouldn't want to be using your cell phone as a guide.

The sun was also perfect for pictures. It light everything up and gave the mountains such a nice contrast.

Hot river.

Sun!

Klara, Zsofie

Steam escaping the side of the mountain. We stood in silence for a bit just to enjoy the sound of the steam escaping the rocks

Valley at the top of the mountain. Surprisingly all this is marsh land and if you step in the wrong spot your foot will go knee deep into mud.

Another hot river in the distance winding through a mountain

River Below

The ocean

Hot pots along the path down

So green!

We ended out night by having a BBQ at the City Hostel and a rainbow appeared!

This was definitely a true Icelandic experience and it'll be one I'll never forget!