The Borgarfjörður Pool Crawl: Kleppjárnsreykir, Varmaland & Local Hot Pots

In Iceland, the local swimming pool is the real social hub, more so than any bar. It is where people catch up in the hot pot after work, where kids learn to swim, and where a rainy afternoon quietly disappears. The community pools around Borgarfjörður are a fraction of the price of the big lagoons and spas, far quieter, and only a short drive from the converted expedition trucks at Hvítárbakki. Here is a low-key pool crawl you can do in an afternoon.

Kleppjárnsreykir: the year-round anchor

Start at Kleppjárnsreykir, a 25-metre outdoor pool with a hot tub, sunbathing area and a small gym. It sits right beside Deildartunguhver, one of the most powerful hot springs in Europe, which is a worthwhile five-minute stop in its own right on the way in or out. Because it is open across the seasons rather than summer-only, this is your reliable option if the weather turns, which in West Iceland it reliably does. From Hvítárbakki it is roughly a 25 to 35 minute drive inland; check current hours before you go, as they shift between summer and winter.

Varmaland: the summer-only detour

If you are travelling between about June and mid-August, add Varmaland. This one is geothermally heated by nearby hot springs and is a proper local pool, an outdoor basin of about 25 by 12.5 metres with a hot tub, sauna and an on-site campsite. It runs summer-only, so it will not help you on a grey October afternoon, but in the long light of a July evening it is about as relaxed as Icelandic pool culture gets. It is a short detour off the route back toward Borgarnes, roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the trucks depending on your exact stops.

How the pool works: the one rule that matters

There is a single non-negotiable custom that surprises first-timers. Before you get in, you must shower thoroughly, without a swimsuit, using soap. This is not about modesty; the geothermal water carries no chlorine, so this collective wash is what keeps it clean. Every pool has segregated changing rooms, and larger ones often have a private shower cubicle if you would rather. Do it properly and no one gives you a second look; skip it and you will get the local stare. Bring your own towel to save on rental, and pack coins or a card for the entrance fee.

• Getting there: both pools are a short inland drive from Hvítárbakki, roughly 20 to 35 minutes each via the Borgarfjörður back roads.
• Duration: allow about 2 to 3 hours for a two-pool crawl, longer if you stop at Deildartunguhver.
• What to bring: swimsuit, towel, flip-flops, and small change for entry.
• Timing: visit Kleppjárnsreykir any season; save Varmaland for summer. Evenings are quietest.

Where to Stay

The converted trucks at Hvítá Trucks sit on the bank of the Hvítá river at Hvítárbakki, right in the middle of this cluster of community pools, so the whole crawl is an easy there-and-back with no long transfers eating into your day. Roll out of the truck, chase the hot pots, and roll back. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: Chr Grundo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.