Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
VEGAVINNUBAÐIÐ IN SHORT
Vegavinnubaðið is a small natural hot spring in the southern Westfjords, where warm water runs out of the rock beside a waterfall. It is free, open around the clock and much quieter than better-known pools like Hellulaug. It is not signed or marked on ordinary maps, so you need the GPS coordinates 65.62668, -22.94984, and the last part is a hike on foot. Flókalundur is the nearest place with services.
The name means roughly “the road workers’ bath”. Warm water comes out of the rocks beside a waterfall, and a simple pool has been made for soaking. There is no building, no staff and no ticket office. It is a place you find, use and leave as you found it.
It is known mainly among people who travel the Westfjords slowly and look for hot pots off the main road. Because it is hard to find, it is usually quiet. That also means you need to be self-sufficient: bring your own towel, swimsuit and warm clothes, and check road and weather conditions before you set out.
The Westfjords are a large peninsula in the north-west of Iceland, about 22,000 km² in area, joined to the rest of the country by an isthmus only 7 km wide between Gilsfjörður and Bitrufjörður. The East Greenland Current keeps the region cool, which makes a warm pool all the more welcome. Around the spring you have fjords, long empty beaches, small villages, waterfalls and puffin cliffs, and far fewer people than in the south.
Not every hot spring in Iceland is safe to get into. Some are far too hot. This one is used for bathing, but nobody looks after it or checks it, so always feel the water before you step in.
Quick facts
TypeNatural hot spring beside a waterfall
RegionWestfjords
Coordinates65.62668, -22.94984
Nearest servicesFlókalundur, on Route 60
From ReykjavíkRoughly 350–370 km by road (about 173 km in a straight line)
EntryFree
Opening hoursAlways open
AccessA hike from the road; the site is not signed or listed under its name on Google Maps
FacilitiesNone
Best forQuiet soaking and a look at a remote part of the Westfjords
How to get to Vegavinnubaðið
By carFrom Reykjavík, take Route 1 north and turn onto Route 60 through Búðardalur into the Westfjords. The spring lies off Route 60, roughly 155 km beyond Búðardalur and before you reach Flókalundur, at the foot of the plateau. Use the GPS coordinates 65.62668, -22.94984 rather than searching by name. Roads in the region are mostly good but include gravel sections, and a higher car or 4x4 makes the drive more comfortable.
By ferry or planeIf you are short of time, you can skip most of the drive. The Baldur car ferry crosses Breiðafjörður from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur, a few kilometres from Flókalundur. Domestic flights from Reykjavík to the Westfjords take about 40–50 minutes. Either way you still need a car for the last stretch.
By public transportThere is no practical public transport to the spring itself. A rental car is the realistic way.
On a guided tourA private tour with a local guide is the easiest way to find the spring and combine it with other Westfjords stops.
ParkingPark where the road allows without blocking it, then continue on foot. There is no marked car park and no marked trail, so keep the coordinates on your phone and allow time for the walk.
Some Westfjords roads close or become difficult in winter. Check umferdin.is and vedur.is before you drive, and remember daylight is very short from November to February.
Driving in the Westfjords
The drive is part of the trip, but it is slower than the map suggests.
Gravel roadsRoad conditions on the way are generally good, but some stretches are gravel. A 4x4 gives a smoother and safer drive. If you rent a car, check that the insurance covers gravel roads.
Seasonal closuresSome roads in the area close for part of the year or after bad weather. Check that your route is open on umferdin.is before you leave.
Long distancesDynjandi, Rauðasandur and Látrabjarg can each be seen in a day from this part of the Westfjords, but the driving distances are big. Plan at least one night in the region.
Fill up with fuel when you can. Stations are far apart.
Best time to visit Vegavinnubaðið
Summer (June–August)Easiest access, long light evenings, and roads open. The best time to look for it.
Winter (November–March)Soaking in snow is memorable, but roads may be icy or closed, days are short and the walk can be slippery. Not one for a first visit.
Safety and practical tips
Use GPS coordinates. The spring is not signposted and not easy to find by name in map apps.
Bring a towel, swimsuit and warm clothes. There is no changing room.
Test the water with your hand before you get in, as temperature can vary.
Take all rubbish with you and use no soap or shampoo in the pool.
Check road and weather conditions before you drive. Many Westfjords roads are gravel.
Tell someone where you are going. Phone signal can be poor in the Westfjords.
Facilities and accessibility
There are no facilities at the spring. The nearest services are in the villages around the region, so fill up with fuel and bring food and water with you.
Guesthouses, hotels and campsites are spread across the Westfjords, in villages such as Patreksfjörður, Bíldudalur and Ísafjörður, and around Flókalundur. Book ahead in summer because places are few and small.
Vegavinnubaðið FAQ
Where is Vegavinnubaðið?
In the southern Westfjords, off Route 60 with Flókalundur as the nearest place, at 65.62668, -22.94984. It is not signed and not easy to find by name on Google Maps, so use the coordinates.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no charge, and it is open around the clock.
Are there changing rooms?
No. Arrive in your swimsuit or change discreetly, and bring a towel and warm clothes.
Do I need a 4x4?
Not necessarily, but Westfjords roads include gravel sections and a 4x4 or higher car makes the drive easier and safer.
Are there other hot springs nearby?
Yes. Hellulaug, Reykjafjarðarlaug, Krosslaug and Pollurinn are among the better-known ones in the Westfjords.
How far is Vegavinnubaðið from Reykjavík?
About 173 km in a straight line, but roughly 350–370 km by road, so it is not a day trip. Plan it as part of a Westfjords tour.
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