Rough gravel. Rough gravel access road — drive slowly; high clearance recommended.
A concrete geothermal pool from 1954 right at the shoreline of remote Strandir, with nothing between you and the open sea.
Story & Legend
Krossneslaug opened on 5 July 1954, built by the local youth association 'Leifur heppni' together with the district council — the pool and its structures cost about 140,000 krónur at the time. It is a concrete outdoor pool at the shoreline, a few kilometres from Norðurfjörður in Strandasýsla, and the same youth association is still listed in OpenStreetMap as its operator today.
Geology & Science
The pool's water comes from the Krossneslaugar hot springs a short distance away: scalding-hot spring water streams into a hollow near the sea alongside a cold brook — conditions the Icelandic Wikipedia entry calls ideal from nature's hand. The regional tourism board notes that such natural hot springs are rare in the Westfjords, because this is the oldest part of the country and the least affected by the volcanic rift that runs through the centre of Iceland.
Safety
This is one of Iceland's remotest pools: the Westfjords tourism board notes that the nearest villages of significance, Hólmavík and Drangsnes, are both over 100 kilometres away — more than two hours of driving. Long sections of Route 643 (Strandavegur) are mapped as gravel in OpenStreetMap; check current conditions at road.is before setting out. Entry is for paying customers, and concrete changing rooms stand beside the pool.
Photo Tip
Frame the pool's edge against the open sea — the tourism board describes it as an infinity pool, with nothing impeding the view between the two waters. Keep the camera within reach: humpback whales are occasionally seen from here.
Insider Tip
Look north while you soak: the pool faces the open sea towards north Iceland, and whales — most commonly humpbacks — are occasionally seen breaking the surface, along with seals and plenty of seabirds.
Best Time to Visit
Summer, when the long gravel approach through Strandir is at its most forgiving — check road.is for current conditions on Route 643 before you commit to the drive.
What to Bring
Swimsuit and towel. Concrete changing rooms stand beside the pool and a concrete walkway surrounds the water — but bring everything else you need; the nearest villages of any size are over 100 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee at Krossneslaug?
Yes — the pool is run by the local youth association and entry is for paying customers, with concrete changing rooms on site. It is not a free wild spring.
What is the road to Krossneslaug like?
The pool sits a few kilometres from Norðurfjörður on Route 643 (Strandavegur), whose northern sections are mapped as gravel in OpenStreetMap. The nearest larger villages, Hólmavík and Drangsnes, are over 100 km away, so check current conditions at road.is before driving out.
