Kerlingarfjöll does not do subtle. For 2 hours, you get geothermal heat, mountain views, and a simple rinse-and-repeat routine that feels like Iceland at full throttle. I like how the setup mixes warm soaking with a sauna and cold plunge, so you can reset your body fast after cold air and rough trails. One thing to consider: you’ll need to bring swimwear and a towel, because they’re not included.

In the Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll, Highland Base turns a remote stop into a proper bathing break. The bathing circuit is built around changing rooms and underground passageways to connect you to the Highland Base Hotel, which helps you stay comfortable in wild weather. The main drawback is also the trade-off: the time slot is short, so if you’re the slow-and-social type, you may want to arrive ready to actually use the full window.

Key things I’d note before you go

• Three steaming pools designed for soaking, not swimming laps
• Sauna with a view so you stay warm while the mountains do the entertaining
• Cold plunge pool for the classic Iceland contrast
• Clean, efficient showers and toiletries available on-site
• Remote-but-practical setting with underground passageways to stay dry and warm
• Perfect after hiking in Kerlingarfjöll’s geothermal valleys

Highland Baths at Kerlingarfjöll: what makes it worth your time

Highland Baths Admission at Kerlingarfjöll is not trying to be fancy. You’re there for a straightforward Iceland ritual: soak in geothermal warmth, warm up more in a sauna, then cool off with a cold plunge. It’s a short circuit, but it hits the parts of the experience that matter most—comfort, heat, views, and that post-outdoor feeling of finally settling.

The most consistent appeal is the combination of quiet and big scenery. One review highlights the calm and mountain views, and another points out how relaxing the spa felt, with clean and effective showers. Even if you’re not a “spa person,” this kind of simple, outdoorsy bathing is hard to beat when you’re far from normal life.

The bathing circuit: exactly what happens in those 2 hours

Your admission is valid for a 2-hour window, so think of this as a scheduled reset, not an all-day hang. The baths themselves are arranged around a trio of steaming pools, plus a sauna and a cold plunge pool. There are changing rooms on-site, and underground passageways connect the bath area to Highland Base Hotel, which is a big deal when weather changes quickly.

Here’s how the time usually makes sense for planning your own rhythm:

Warm-up in the geothermal pools

Start in the hot water and let your body adjust gradually. The baths are built around a trio of steaming pools, so you can choose where you feel comfortable. This is where your muscles get the real payoff after cold air, gravel paths, or long drives through highlands.

A practical tip: if you come straight from outdoors, spend your first minutes focused on getting warm again rather than hopping in and out. You’ll get more out of the later cold plunge when you’re not already stressed and chilled.

Sauna time with mountain views

Next, head to the sauna. What I like about this part is that it’s not a separate world from the landscape outside; you get a view while you warm up. That matters because the sauna can otherwise feel like a closed box. Here, the scenery becomes part of the experience, and the mental switch from “gear and weather” to “quiet and heat” happens faster.

Cold plunge for the contrast

Then comes the cold plunge pool. Iceland does contrast well, and this is the designed version: warm geothermal heat, then a quick shock of cold water to feel awake and invigorated. Even if you’re cautious, the cold plunge is short by nature, and you can take it at your own pace since it’s a pool, not an event.

If you’re doing this after hiking or time in wind, the cold plunge can feel surprisingly sharp at first. Don’t rush it. You’re aiming for contrast, not endurance.

Back to comfort, then finish your soak

Once you’ve done the cycle, you can return to the hot pools to wrap up. That final soak is often when the experience shifts from “activity” to “release.” You’ll probably leave feeling looser, calmer, and warmer than when you arrived.

Facilities that make remote bathing actually easy

Highland Base is the core of this setup, and the baths are tied directly into it. You’re not guessing where to change or how to stay warm between steps. You get changing rooms and underground passageways that connect to Highland Base Hotel. That means less time exposed to cold wind and more time focused on soaking.

There’s also an on-site restaurant at Highland Base, which you can use if you want to turn your bathing time into part of a longer day. If you’re planning around hikes, this makes the whole area feel more self-contained and less like you’re just passing through.

One review specifically calls out that showers are clean and effective, and that Blue Lagoon products are available. That’s a small detail, but it matters. After being outside, you want a no-drama rinse and skin-care options that don’t feel like an afterthought.

Value check: is $49 for 2 hours fair?

At $49 per person for admission, you’re paying for the geothermal access plus the full on-site comfort structure: multiple hot pools, sauna, cold plunge, changing rooms, and connectivity to the hotel area. It’s not a day pass, so the value is really about how much you’ll use those two hours.

Here’s the math in a practical way: two hours is enough to do the full contrast circuit without feeling rushed, especially if you arrive ready (not still searching for your towel and swimwear). If you’re planning an Iceland highlands day with hiking or rough weather, the baths act like a “pay once, recover fast” stop. You don’t have to maximize everything to get satisfaction—you just need to actually use the circuit.

If your schedule is tight, this is also a strong choice because it’s a defined window. You’re not gambling on weather and time stretching in unpredictable ways.

Where Highland Baths fit in your Kerlingarfjöll day

The baths sit in a remote highlands setting in the Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll. That remoteness is part of the charm, but it also means you should plan the rest of your day around recovery and comfort.

Highland Base connects the dots with optional activities:

• You can eat at the Highland Base Restaurant (coffee and waffles to bistro-style comfort food and buffet dining).
• You can hike using a network of trails ranging from about 1 km up to 50 km, with options for different difficulty levels.
• There are also ways to explore geothermal valleys and spend longer on bigger peaks (with guided or unguided choices).

So I’d treat Highland Baths Admission as the “after” part of your day. Go when your legs are warm from effort, your shoulders feel tight from wind or cold, and you want the kind of decompression that only hot geothermal water seems to provide.

Practical tips that improve the experience fast

This is Iceland. You’ll be outside, then inside, then outside again in seconds. The smoothest way to enjoy Highland Baths is to treat it like a timed circuit.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel

Then think about your pace:

• If you’re new to cold plunges, do the hot pools first until you feel comfortable.
• Use the sauna when you want a deeper warm-up, not as a replacement for soaking.
• Plan to end relaxed. The last minutes in the hot pools are where people usually feel the biggest shift toward calm.

Also, keep an eye on the view angle. The sauna is described as having a spectacular view, and the pools are surrounded by mountain scenery. If you’re taking photos, do it quickly and then focus on soaking rather than playing camera operator the whole time.

Who this is best for (and who might want something else)

Highland Baths Admission is best for people who want an Iceland-style geothermal experience without complexity. You’ll likely love it if:

• you want quiet relaxation after outdoors time
• you enjoy heat-and-contrast routines (hot soak, sauna, then cold plunge)
• you appreciate practical facilities like changing rooms and sheltered connections indoors via underground passageways

You might not love it as much if:

• you want a long, wandering spa day with lots of lounging time
• you’re hoping for a full-day program of activities beyond the bathing circuit
• you show up without planning your essentials (swimwear and towel)

A quick note on cancellation and flexibility

The admission is described with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There’s also a reserve now & pay later option, which can help if your highlands schedule might shift due to weather or driving time. If your trip is weather-dependent, that flexibility is genuinely useful.

Should you book Highland Baths Admission?

Yes, if you’re heading to Kerlingarfjöll and want a simple, high-reward break. For $49 and a tight 2-hour window, you get a complete geothermal circuit: three steaming pools, a sauna with a view, and a cold plunge pool, all supported by changing rooms and underground passageways. The strongest reasons to book are the calm vibe, the mountain views, and the comfort details like clean showers and available toiletries.

If you’re building a day around hiking, this is one of the most practical ways to recover without adding more logistics. Book it when you can give it your full attention, bring your swimwear and towel, and treat it like the reset stop it’s designed to be.

FAQ

What’s included with Highland Baths Admission?

Admission to the Highland baths is included. The baths include geothermal pools, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, changing rooms, and underground passageways connecting to Highland Base Hotel.

How long is the Highland Baths admission valid?

Your admission is valid for 2 hours. You’ll need to check availability to see the starting times.

Do I need to bring a towel or swimwear?

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

Where are the Highland Baths located?

They’re located at the Highland Base in the Ásgarður Valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll, in the southern region of Iceland.

Is there food available nearby after bathing?

Yes. Highland Base has a restaurant with options ranging from coffee and waffles to bistro-style comfort food and buffet dining.

What’s the cancellation policy?

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