Visiting Storagja Iceland, a cave hot spring you can swim in located off of the northern ring road, is one of the true hidden gems of northern Iceland. There are more than a few hot springs located throughout the country. But very few that have your adventure bone tingling as you climbing down a narrow rock entrance into a cave filled with warm, crystal clear blue water. And while a lot of people stop at the nearby Grjotagja Cave, made famous in Game of Thrones. Most don’t even know about this Storagja, making it the perfect place to beat the crowds. Below is a video from our trip, some tips, and if you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
Visiting Storagja Iceland – Cave Hot Spring
AllTrails Link: Not Available
Type: Out and Back
Distance: 0.24 Miles / 0.4 km
Elevation Gain: 20+ Feet / 6+ Meters
Storagja Iceland – Cave Hot Spring Info & Tips
- The parking lot is small, and maybe will fit 4-5 cars.
- Bring a towel, it will be cold when you get out.
- It is a short flat walk to the cave, with a few stairs down to the entrance.
- To enter and exit the cave you will need to use the rope. If the rope is not there, you may not be able to get out.
- Depending on the water level, you may not be able to touch the ground.
- Once you’re into the cave hot spring, to the right is the shallowest part of the cave.
- The cave spring can fit 4-5 people comfortably.
- The cave has a few natural light wholes, but can be dark in some spots or in cloud cover.
Note of Caution: This is a natural geothermal hot spring, and water temperatures and water levels can change drastically and quickly. And would be very susceptible to flash floods. Please pay attention to the surrounding area for signs and weather to be safe.
If you are claustrophobic, do not go into this cave!
Getting to the Cave
When you arrive at Storagja Iceland, you will find a small parking area on the side of the road. Maybe big enough for 4-5 cars, this is nothing like the massive tourist stops you will find at most of the other major locations along the ring road. Instead Storagja is a hidden gem that is typically only sought out by the more adventurous.
Once parked, it’s a short flat walk to the entrance of the cave. Which has a metal stairway built to take you 15+ feet down to the caves entrance. Once down the stairs there is a medium sized room worth of open space where you can set your stuff or change before entering the hot spring.
Inside the Storagja Cave Hot Spring
To enter the cave hot spring, you will descend down an opening and a 4-5 foot rock slide taking you into the spring. As mentioned above, there should be a rope fixed to the entrance to help you in and out of the cave. And while you could get in without the rope, getting out could be very hard without it. So if there is no rope, do not go in!
Once in the cave hot spring, the water is warm, crystal clear, and provides an incredibly warm and refreshing feeling as you enter from the cold Iceland air. Inside the cave walls tower 8-10 feet above, giving the small cave a much larger feeling. Once in the water, you can either go left or right for about 8-10 feet in either direction. Providing a little space between you and other swimmers. It is deep enough to not touch the bottom without trying in most parts and based on some of the carvings on the wall. You can tell the water level can fluctuate greatly. I did find a shallower spot to the right side of the cave where I could just touch the bottom.
Leaving the Cave
Exiting the cave hot spring requires making your way up the same slick rock tunnel you entered through. Meaning that without the rope it could become very difficult to get out of the spring. So if the rope is not there, I would not recommend entering the hot spring. Making your way out of the warm water and cave into the light, be prepared to be hit with the cold air. Come prepared and make sure you have a towel and some dry clothes ready to put on.
Closing Thoughts
Overall I had a great time visiting the Storagja cave hot spring. And it stands out as one of the more unique experiences I had in Iceland. We saw so many great views and waterfalls, it was nice to switch it up and get a little adventurous. And I mean, who doesn’t want to say they went swimming in a cave hot spring in Iceland!
