Reykjafoss and Fossalaug, two of the most visited natural sites near Reykjavík, have been closed to the public. Access to both locations has been shut by local authorities due to safety and environmental concerns, directly affecting hundreds of visitors who travel to these spots each week. Anyone planning to visit should check official sources before heading out.
Key takeaways
- Reykjafoss waterfall and Fossalaug hot spring pool are currently closed to visitors.
- The closure is linked to safety hazards and environmental damage caused by high visitor numbers.
- No confirmed reopening date has been announced as of the time of publication.
- Several alternative waterfalls and hot springs remain open within easy reach of Reykjavík.
- Visitors should check safetravel.is for live updates on site access across Iceland.
Why are Reykjafoss and Fossalaug being closed?
Reykjafoss is a waterfall on the Varmaá river in the Mosfellsdalur valley, roughly 20 kilometres northeast of central Reykjavík. Fossalaug is a small natural geothermal pool located directly beside the waterfall, fed by hot spring water that mixes with the cold river — an unusually rare combination that has made it a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Access is reached via a gravel track off Route 48, the road running through Mosfellsdalur.
Authorities have moved to close both sites because the combination of heavy foot traffic and unsupervised access has caused measurable damage to the surrounding landscape. The riverbank area around Fossalaug has suffered visible erosion, and unofficial pathways have widened significantly in recent seasons. Safety concerns also played a role: the terrain near the waterfall edge is uneven, and officials indicated that incidents involving visitors had been reported.
The closure reflects a broader pattern across Iceland, where popular natural sites are increasingly being shut temporarily — or permanently rerouted — when visitor pressure outpaces the landscape’s ability to absorb it. Fossalaug in particular had grown from a quiet local secret to a stop recommended in mainstream travel guides, and the surge in visitor numbers appears to have accelerated the deterioration of the site.
Is the closure temporary or permanent?
Based on information available at the time of publication, the closure is described by officials as a protective measure rather than a permanent shutdown. However, no specific reopening date has been confirmed. Authorities are assessing the condition of the site and determining what — if any — managed access or infrastructure improvements would be needed before visitors can return safely.
This pattern is familiar in Iceland. Sites such as Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in the South were closed for extended periods after a surge in tourism caused serious damage to the canyon rim, and they later reopened with new boardwalks and restricted access points. A similar outcome is possible at Fossalaug, but that process typically takes at least one full season and sometimes longer.
Visitors should not assume the site will reopen before the end of summer 2025. Anyone making specific travel plans around Reykjafoss or Fossalaug should treat the closure as open-ended until an official announcement is made.
When will Reykjafoss and Fossalaug reopen?
No reopening date has been set. Officials have not given a timeline, and the assessment of environmental damage is still ongoing. The most reliable way to track any change in status is through Safe Travel Iceland (safetravel.is), the official platform run by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) and the Icelandic Met Office, Veðurstofa Íslands. That site lists current closures, road conditions, and hazard alerts across the country and is updated regularly.
Local municipality communications from Mosfellsbær — the municipality that oversees this area — are also a direct source. Mosfellsbær’s official website and social media channels will carry any formal announcement about managed reopening or access restrictions.
Are there alternative waterfalls or hot springs visitors can go to instead?
Yes. The greater Reykjavík region and the surrounding areas offer several accessible alternatives that remain open. The following sites are all reachable within an hour or two of the capital.
- Þingvallavatn and the Öxará river — Located within Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site roughly 45 kilometres east of Reykjavík. The park is open year-round and offers dramatic rift valley scenery alongside accessible walking paths.
- Glymur — Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall at 198 metres, located at the head of Hvalfjörður. The hike involves a river crossing and takes around two to three hours return. Glymur is open and fully accessible.
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss — Both are a roughly two-hour drive from Reykjavík along the South Coast and remain among Iceland’s most dramatic and accessible waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss allows visitors to walk behind the water curtain.
- The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in Flúðir — A geothermal pool about 90 minutes east of Reykjavík, considered Iceland’s oldest swimming pool. Entry costs around 3,500 ISK for adults. Open daily.
- Laugarvatn Fontana — A geothermal spa on the shores of Lake Laugarvatn on the Golden Circle route, about 75 minutes from the city. Natural steam baths sit directly on geothermal springs.
- Hrunalaug — A small, partly wild hot spring near the village of Flúðir. Access is managed and limited to protect the site, so arrival early in the morning — before 9am — significantly increases the chance of finding it uncrowded.
For those specifically looking for the combination of a waterfall and geothermal water that made Fossalaug so appealing, Hrunalaug is the closest equivalent in character, even if the setting differs.
What other Iceland sites are currently closed or restricted this summer?
Reykjafoss and Fossalaug are not isolated cases. Several other natural sites around Iceland are subject to closures or restricted access in summer 2025.
- Reykjanes Peninsula volcanic zones — The active eruption area around Svartsengi and the lava fields near Grindavík remain under strict access controls. The Blue Lagoon has continued to operate, but sections of the lava field and adjacent roads are closed depending on volcanic activity. Check safetravel.is before any visit to the peninsula.
- Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon — Access remains managed via a designated car park and pathway. Visitor numbers are capped during peak summer hours to protect the canyon rim.
- Kerlingarfjöll and some Highland F-roads — Highland routes (F-roads) remain closed to all vehicles until conditions are confirmed safe, typically no earlier than late June. Some routes in the central highlands, including sections of the F35 Kjalvegur, may open later than usual depending on snowmelt in 2025.
- Grindavík town — The town itself remains partially evacuated and access is controlled following repeated eruptions since late 2023. Entry is not open to tourists.
Conditions across all these sites can change rapidly. The single most important step any visitor can take is to check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration site, Vegagerðin (road.is), on the morning of any planned excursion.
Practical advice for visitors affected by the Reykjafoss closure
If Reykjafoss or Fossalaug was a planned stop on an itinerary, the adjustment is manageable. Both sites are day-trip destinations rather than overnight ones, so no accommodation changes are needed. However, guided tours that specifically listed Fossalaug as a stop may need to reroute — travellers who booked such tours should contact their operator directly to confirm the updated itinerary.
Anyone who drove out to Mosfellsdalur and found the access point closed should not attempt to bypass barriers or walk around them. Fines for ignoring conservation closures in Iceland can reach several hundred thousand ISK, and the terrain near active closures is often the reason the closure was put in place.
For those who want to stay updated, follow safetravel.is and the Mosfellsbær municipality official channels. Both will carry any confirmed reopening announcement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still visit Fossalaug if I park further away and walk in?
No. The closure applies to the site itself, not just the car park. Accessing a closed natural site in Iceland — regardless of how you get there — is a violation of the access restriction and can result in a fine. The closure barriers and signage mark the boundary of the restricted area.
Is Fossalaug the same as the Blue Lagoon?
No. Fossalaug is a small, natural geothermal pool beside Reykjafoss waterfall in the Mosfellsdalur valley, east of Reykjavík. It is — or was, while open — a free, undeveloped site. The Blue Lagoon is a large commercial geothermal spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula, entry to which costs around 7,990 ISK and upward depending on the package chosen. The two sites are unrelated.
Are guided tours to Fossalaug still running?
Any tour operator that included Fossalaug as a destination should have updated their itinerary following the closure. If a booking confirmation lists Fossalaug, contact the tour company directly to ask whether the stop has been replaced. Reputable operators will offer an alternative or a partial refund if a key selling-point destination is no longer accessible.
Is Reykjafoss waterfall itself closed, or just Fossalaug pool?
Both are closed. The access closure covers the area that includes the waterfall viewpoint and the adjacent geothermal pool. Visitors cannot access either feature while the restriction is in force. There is no partial access arrangement currently in place.
Where can I check for the latest information on site closures in Iceland?
The most reliable single source is safetravel.is, maintained jointly by ICE-SAR and Veðurstofa Íslands. For road and highland route conditions, use road.is, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration site. Both are updated daily and are available in English.
