Kerlingarfjöll: Highland Baths Admission

Kerlingarfjöll gives you geothermal heat with mountain views. I like how the bathing area is designed for quiet relaxation, and you get the full Icelandic loop of hot soak, sauna, and cold plunge in about two hours. One consideration: you’ll want to show up ready with swimwear and a towel, since neither is included.

Highland Baths sits at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll, in the Ásgarður Valley, connected to Highland Base Hotel by underground passageways. That setup matters because you can go from warm comfort to the pools without dealing with exposed winter-style weather. Also, this place opened in July 2023, so the facilities feel new and built for comfort.

Key highlights worth your time

• Two-hour admission that fits neatly into a day exploring the highlands
• Three steaming pools plus a sauna and a cold plunge pool
• Spectacular mountain views from the bathing area, including the sauna
• Underground passageways that link you to Highland Base Hotel
• Clean, efficient shower setup, with Blue Lagoon products available in the showers

Where Highland Baths fits in your Kerlingarfjöll day

If you’re spending time in the Icelandic interior, you’re used to big air, big weather, and big effort. Highland Baths is the counterbalance. You’re not just sitting in water, you’re stepping into a purpose-built recovery stop in a remote valley at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll.

Highland Base Hotel is the anchor here, in Ásgarður Valley, and the baths connect to it through underground passageways. For you, that means less time stuck in cold conditions and more time focusing on the reason you came: heat, views, and letting your body reset.

It’s also a good match for different kinds of travelers. If you’re the type who hikes, works up a sweat, and wants something warm afterward, this is your reward. If you’re not into long walking days, it still works because the bathing route is simple and self-directed within the set time.

Price-wise, admission is $49 per person for a 2-hour window. That sounds straightforward, but the value is the setting and the full routine: multiple steaming pools plus sauna plus cold plunge, all in a remote highlands location. For Iceland, where experiences often come with extra transport costs and time, this is a clean, focused way to get geothermal bathing without turning it into an all-day production.

Your 2-hour rhythm at Highland Baths

Highland Baths admission is time-based, with the experience listed as valid for a 2-hour slot. Plan your arrival so you can settle in without rushing. When your body is trying to relax, being five minutes late is not your friend.

Here’s a realistic flow you can expect, based on how the facilities are set up.

1) Arrive, change, and get oriented

You’ll use the changing rooms, then move through the facility’s passageways connected to Highland Base Hotel. The underground connection is practical because Kerlingarfjöll and its valleys can feel like they’re all weather all the time.

Your main prep items are simple and specific: bring swimwear and a towel. Towels aren’t included, and if you show up without either, you’ll lose time and pay extra or have trouble.

2) Start with the steaming pools

The baths themselves are built around a trio of steaming pools. This is your first step into the geothermal warmth that gives Icelandic bathing its reputation.

This part is where I’d focus on comfort over performance. I like that you can go at your own pace in multiple pools, rather than being forced into a strict schedule. Also, you’re not staring at a wall for your entire soak. The mountain views are part of the experience while you’re in the baths.

That blend of warmth plus open scenery is a big reason people come out here. One review described it as a nice outdoor bath with mountain views and a quiet vibe. That lines up with what this place is designed to do.

3) Take the sauna with a mountain view

After the pools, the sauna is the next stop. The sauna is set up with a spectacular view, so you’re not just sweating in a box.

In practical terms, this works best after you’re already warm. If you hop straight from cold air into sauna, it can feel harsher on your body than it needs to. Once you’ve spent some time in the steaming pools, you’re ready for the sauna heat, then the next step.

Also, if you like a calmer atmosphere, the quiet factor matters. At least one verified booking highlighted tranquility, which tells you this isn’t a chaotic, crowded bathing scramble.

4) Cold plunge when you feel ready

Then comes the cold plunge pool. The idea is classic: hot to cold, hot to cold. The experience is structured so you can do that cycle here, without needing to chase outdoor spots on your own.

I’ll be honest: the cold plunge is not about comfort. It’s about contrast. If you do it, do it fully and then get back to warmth. The payoff is how good your body feels afterward, especially in a remote place where you’ve been outdoors.

5) Wrap up with views and one last warm soak

You finish your 2-hour slot at Highland Baths after time to reset in the warm pools. Many people like to give themselves a little buffer at the end, so they’re not leaving right when they’re starting to relax.

The setting helps. You’re surrounded by mountain views while you soak, and the whole place is built to feel like a recovery stop, not a quick stopover.

What makes the showers and products a real plus

There’s a small detail here that makes a bigger difference than most people expect: the showers are clean and efficient, and Blue Lagoon products are available.

That matters because you’re coming back from highlands weather. You want to leave feeling fresh, not sticky and rushed. If you’re hoping to keep your packing light, product availability in the shower area is a helpful bonus.

It’s also a good sign that this facility is operating smoothly. Clean, easy showers reduce the friction between outdoor time and comfort time, and that friction is what often makes bathing experiences less fun than they should be.

Highland Base makes it easier to extend your day

Highland Base Hotel isn’t just there in the background. The baths are connected to it through underground passageways, and that changes the overall rhythm of the day.

If you want to eat afterward or take a break before heading out for hiking, Highland Base Restaurant is an option. It’s an 80-seat refuge of cozy warmth with hearty food. The menu description ranges from coffee and waffles to bistro comfort food and buffet-style dining.

This is valuable because it gives you a smooth transition. You can soak first, then refuel without needing to immediately leave the valley. And if your day includes hiking, the baths become a natural recovery step instead of an afterthought.

Speaking of hiking, the highlands around Kerlingarfjöll offer trails from about 1 kilometer to 50 kilometers. So you can choose a short route if you want time for bathing, or a longer day if you’re ready to earn it.

Who should book Highland Baths admission

This is a strong fit if you want geothermal bathing that feels Icelandic, but not complicated.

You’ll likely love it if:

• You want hot soak plus sauna plus cold plunge in one place
• You’re traveling in the highlands and need a recovery stop that takes about two hours
• You prefer calm, quiet vibes with mountain views
• You appreciate facilities that feel new and well set up, since the baths opened in July 2023

It may not be the best fit if:

• You hate the cold plunge and would rather skip the contrast routine entirely
• You don’t want to plan around a strict 2-hour slot and would rather linger for much longer
• You forget essentials like swimwear and a towel

Price and value: is $49 worth it?

For $49 per person, you’re buying a focused 2-hour geothermal experience that includes:

• Admission to the Highland baths
• Use of changing rooms and the bath facilities
• Access to multiple steaming pools, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool

The value comes from the “all-in-one” setup and the remote setting. In Iceland, the costs you often feel are time and hassle, not just tickets. Here, the baths are tied into Highland Base Hotel through underground passageways, and the experience is self-directed inside a single area. That reduces friction, and it makes the most of your day.

Also, the reviews you have here point to real-life quality signals: quiet relaxation, mountain views, and clean showers with Blue Lagoon products. Those are exactly the kinds of details that make a bathing experience worth the money, because they affect how comfortable and stress-free it feels.

Quick practical tips that will help you enjoy it more

You can make your visit smoother with a few smart moves.

• Bring swimwear and a towel. It’s listed clearly as not included, and it’s the easiest way to avoid a bad start.
• If you like views, plan to take your time in the pools and sauna. The mountain scenery is part of the payoff while you bathe.
• If cold plunging is new for you, treat it as a step you choose when your body feels ready. You’re not being timed inside the baths beyond the overall 2-hour window.

Should you book Highland Baths admission?

Yes, if you want a simple, high-value geothermal break during a Kerlingarfjöll day. The combination of multiple steaming pools, a sauna with views, and an optional cold plunge in a remote highlands setting is a clean way to experience Icelandic bathing culture without turning it into a complicated multi-stop plan.

Skip it if you only want one type of soak, or if you’d rather spend your limited time on hiking and exploration instead of a structured 2-hour bathing window. But if you’re looking for quiet warmth, mountain views, and a well-run facility, this is an easy booking to feel good about.

FAQ

How long is Highland Baths admission at Kerlingarfjöll?

The Highland Baths admission is valid for 2 hours, based on available starting times.

What is included with the Highland Baths ticket?

The ticket includes admission to the Highland baths.

What should I bring?

You should bring swimwear and a towel.

Are towels and swimwear included?

No. Towels and swimwear are not included.

What facilities are available during admission?

The baths area includes a trio of steaming pools, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, changing rooms, and underground passageways connecting to Highland Base Hotel.

Is the sauna part of the experience?

Yes. A sauna is included as part of the Highland Baths facilities, with a view.

Is there a cold plunge pool?

Yes. The facilities include a cold plunge pool where you can take a plunge after the warm soaking.

Where is Highland Baths located?

Highland Baths is located at the edge of Kerlingarfjöll in the Ásgarður Valley in Iceland’s Southern Region.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.