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Iceland is well-known for its geothermal exercise and many scorching springs, a lot so that individuals have even made a pastime of it within the type of dipping and enjoyable in pure geothermal scorching swimming pools. One superb scorching spot (no pun meant), is the Forest Lagoon, positioned simply outdoors Iceland’s second-largest metropolis, Akureyri. Situated within the northern a part of the nation, Akureyri is understood colloquially because the capital of the North of Iceland.
Guests get to get pleasure from one of many rarest sights in Iceland within the environment of the Forest Lagoon, an precise forest! The tranquil ambiance, enjoyable scorching swimming pools, and majestic views of the Icelandic wilderness make for a very memorable expertise.
The handy location additionally makes Forest Lagoon simply accessible, from each Akureyri and the well-known Ring Street. You can also make a day journey to Forest Lagoon or come right here to calm down on the finish of a protracted day touring round Iceland. You can even simply spend a weekend or extra right here exploring the various sights positioned close by.
Immediately, we’ll be telling you all the pieces it’s good to learn about the Forest Lagoon earlier than visiting this magical place. This fashion, what to anticipate and might take advantage of out of your journey because it’s ones of the finest issues to do in Iceland. Iceland is known as the land of Hearth and Ice and on the Forest Lagoon, you’re going to get a glimpse of simply why that is.
All You Have to Know About The Forest Lagoon
Opened in 2022, Forest Lagoon, additionally beforehand generally known as Skógarböð Geothermal Spa, was the results of a cheerful accident and a few resourceful group considering. Throughout work on the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, a 7.5 km thoroughfare connecting Akureyri to Húsavík, one other northern city in Iceland, staff stumbled upon a geothermal water spot deep inside Vaðlaheiði mountain.
Whereas the invention halted all work, which inevitably value officers fairly a bit of cash, it was determined that the geothermal spot wouldn’t be compromised and, as a substitute, the new spring water was redirected from the mountain into what’s now the Forest Lagoon.
The power can comfortably accommodate as much as 200 friends at a time and has spacious and handy altering rooms and showers. Along with the new swimming pools, the constructing boasts an aesthetic leisure room, a sauna that gives magnificent views of Eyjafjörður Fjord and the encompassing mountains, a chilly pool, and a comfy restaurant the place diners can get pleasure from a big central hearth whereas having fun with views of the pine tree forests.
Talking of forests, this can be a uncommon sight in Iceland for the reason that Vikings of their heyday made quick work of over 90% of Iceland’s forest lands constructing boats and weaponry. So, benefit from the idyllic setting of the constructing within the forest, which blends seamlessly into the environment because it additionally occurs to be manufactured from wooden, has meals furnishings, and, to additional spotlight the forest theme, has an open-roofed lightwell with a tree on the entrance.
Constructing the Forest Lagoon
A lot focus was put into the constructing mixing with the environment that the staff even managed to make use of rocks from the mountain itself to include into the again of the constructing. As guests stroll from the altering rooms to the swimming pools they get to stroll by way of this space and might admire simply how a lot work was put into the design and structure of the ability.
The great thing about the ability shouldn’t come as a shock because it was designed by Basalt Architects, a agency that has designed and constructed many well-known scorching swimming pools round Iceland, together with GeoSea and the Blue Lagoon. The staff wished to give attention to rejuvenation and psychological restoration and the ambiance they managed to realize with the completed product does certainly ship!
How Do You Get to The Forest Lagoon?
Forest Lagoon is lower than 5km from Akureyri, which is a few 10-minute drive. If you happen to don’t have your individual conveyance, there’s a bus service that runs from Hof, Berjaya Akureyri Lodge, and Lodge KEA that can drop you on the web site.
Upon arrival, you’ll first be handled to the gorgeous views of the encompassing forest wilderness. To get to the lagoon it’s good to stroll by way of the forest and up the mountain entrance. It’s only when you get shut that the principle constructing slowly reveals itself from the mountain face and surrounding foliage.
If you happen to plan on visiting from Reykjavik, it’ll be a protracted drive. The gap from Reykjavik is greater than 240 miles. A route that takes virtually 5 hours of steady driving, be it by way of the gorgeous wilderness of Iceland. Although there are many nearer scorching springs to Reykjavik, just like the Sky Lagoon and Hvammsvik.
From Egilstaðir, the journey is about 150 miles and takes three hours. Regardless of, the place you intend on visiting from, you might be assured a scenic drive and on the finish of your journey a soothing spa expertise that can rejuvenate and revitalize your physique and thoughts.
In case your finances permits, you may additionally fly from Reykjavik to Akureyri to discover the north for Iceland. Akureyri Airport is a global airport with many guests flying in straight from locations like the UK, Denmark, and Spain.
How Are the Swimming pools At The Forest Lagoon?
There are two foremost scorching swimming pools at Forest Lagoon.
The big pool is greater than 5500 sq. ft in space, with a temperature that’s saved round 98°F (37°C). The big pool has two swim-up bars and an indoor entry proper from the altering rooms making it extra snug for guests by not having to be uncovered to the encompassing cool climate.
The second pool is far smaller, measuring about 570 sq. ft, and the temperature is saved round 104°F (40°C), nevertheless it has essentially the most gorgeous views, notably round sundown.
We hung out in each swimming pools, first lounging within the massive pool and having fun with a number of drinks, earlier than shifting to the smaller pool and simply soaking within the heat and tranquility. All in all, we spent greater than 2.5 hours within the Forest Lagoon services, and it was extremely enjoyable.
What’s The Altering Room Scenario At The Forest Lagoon?
The Forest Lagoon has a spacious communal altering space separated by intercourse. Not like the older established public scorching swimming pools, there are additionally non-public altering rooms and showers in case you might be shy. Showers have shampoo and conditioner. There are restricted stalls for these searching for privateness, so you should definitely bathe and alter as quick as attainable throughout busy intervals.
What Else Is There to Do on the Forest Lagoon?
For these desirous to benefit from the warmth in a different way, head over to the Finnish Dry Sauna. After our time within the pool, we relaxed and loved the dry warmth whereas taking within the views of Eyjafjörður and the encompassing mountains.
The temperature of the Sauna is round 176°F (80°C) with a humidity of 20%. Additionally, in contrast to most saunas the place guests simply wrap a towel round their waist, on the Forest Lagoon guests are required to put on their swimsuits.
There’s additionally a chilly pool, the place most of the guests would take a plunge within the ice chilly water after dipping within the scorching pool, as combining the 2 has many well being advantages. We love taking chilly plunges and spent virtually 10 minutes making an attempt to endure the chilly earlier than hopping again over to the new swimming pools.
If you happen to’re visiting Forest Lagoon you should definitely check out Forest Bistro, the on-site restaurant, after your pool go to. Throughout our go to, we tried the lamb soup, the Skógur sandwich, and the quinoa and black bean salad. The meals was scrumptious, and the service was wonderful, however the ambiance stood out essentially the most.
The whole space is clad in wooden, and the indoor hearth, views of Eyjafjörður, and pine tree environment make for an unbelievable eating expertise.
What Does The Forest Lagoon Price?
Ticket costs are 6590 ISK or round 50 USD for adults, and 3290 ISK or 25 USD for younger ones aged six years to fifteen years. Kids underneath 5 years of age are allowed free entry, however they’ll have to share a locker with their mother or father/guardian.
Though you will get tickets whenever you arrive, it will be a good suggestion to e-book prematurely particularly throughout the summer season in Iceland. We booked tickets utilizing the Forest Lagoon web site and upon reaching we realized simply how good an concept spending a number of hours soaking within the swimming pools can be.
The Forest Lagoon is a well-liked spot with many guests every day so you’ll be able to anticipate a wait time in the event you present up with out reserving tickets prematurely, and we noticed various individuals ready till the place cleared out a bit.
What Ought to You Deliver with You to The Forest Lagoon?
The naked minimal it is best to carry to any scorching pool is a swimsuit and your individual towel, make sure that to place each of this stuff in your Iceland packing record. Sizzling swimming pools just like the Forest Lagoon normally do supply this stuff on a rental foundation, although we discover it’s much more hygienic simply to carry your individual.
The environment are simply too good to not {photograph} so that you’re certain to have your cellphone with you. We introduced ours round for photographs and movies and would advocate investing in a water-resistant case or sealable bag to ensure your cellphone doesn’t get moist. The sealable bag can even turn out to be useful to pack your moist swimsuit after you’re achieved along with your go to as they aren’t offered on the Forest Lagoon.
To be on the protected aspect, carry a number of swimsuits with you to Iceland because you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a drying machine within the Forest Lagoon, or every other scorching pool in Iceland for that matter. The climate isn’t favorable both for drying garments and if you end up desirous to go to a different scorching pool or wanting to go to Forest Lagoon a second time, you’ll be ready a few days earlier than your swimsuit is dry.
Flip flops are additionally a good suggestion as they’ll hold your ft clear int the locker rooms. For these rocking lengthy hair, carry some clips as nicely to maintain your hair underneath management. I additionally introduced all my toiletries to the Forest Lagoon in order that after I may head proper to our campsite in Iceland and settle in for the night time.
Guidelines and Etiquette At The Forest Lagoon
Although there are some non-public stalls within the altering and bathe space, be aware of others who’re ready after you for his or her flip. And everybody must bathe earlier than getting into the swimming pools in Iceland, which is considered one of our high Iceland journey suggestions. Bathe and alter as quick as you’ll be able to to make sure the ready line stays quick for everybody.
Keep away from carrying any jewellery close to the swimming pools. You may retailer any valuables within the locker that will probably be assigned to you and hooked up to the waterproof bracelet you’ll be given.
This isn’t simply because it’s unsafe for everybody in case you break your jewellery and it falls on the ground or within the swimming pools, but additionally as a result of the mineral content material within the water can harm your good jewellery. We don’t advocate bringing in any costly objects into the precise swimming pools.
How Does The Forest Lagoon Evaluate to Different Sizzling Swimming pools?
Whereas there’s little doubt that different extra well-known scorching swimming pools like Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon supply swimming pools near Reykjavik, which implies extra facilities and comfort (Blue Lagoon has a 5-star resort proper subsequent to it), what Forest Lagoon gives is the distinctive tranquil setting within the forest.
As we talked about, there aren’t many forests in Iceland, and having a scorching pool proper in the course of one makes for a novel expertise. It’s additionally rather more quiet in comparison with different scorching swimming pools in Iceland, although it’s removed from the quietest we visited (that honor would go to Krauma!) Forest Lagoon has extra aggressive costs compared to Sky Lagoon and (particularly) the Blue Lagoon.
What Are the Close by Points of interest?
Since Forest Lagoon is positioned near each Akureyri and off the well-known Ring Street, entry to the opposite superb sights of Iceland is made a lot simpler.
Akureyri has a lot to do when it comes to tradition, artwork, and pure magnificence. The Akureyri Museum boasts a powerful assortment of artifacts the place you’ll be able to study all in regards to the native tradition and historical past, from early settlement to the current day. There’s additionally the Bike Museum of Iceland, the place you’ll be able to study in regards to the nation’s wealthy motorbike tradition within the 5,500-square-foot purpose-built facility.
When it comes to pure magnificence, wildlife fans can go to the Akureyri Botanical Backyard, with its massive assortment of floral species.
The encircling space additionally has many lovely waterfalls. Simply 20 miles east is Godafoss Waterfall, thought-about to be Iceland’s most lovely waterfall. A number of miles additional, you’ll be able to see one other attractive waterfall at Geitafoss. Dettifoss Waterfall is one other lovely location that’s value visiting, nevertheless it’s a barely longer drive, taking virtually two hours from Akureyri.
There are extra pure sights like Lake Myvatn, positioned 50 miles east of Akureyri. Myvatn has a wealthy hen life, attracting hen watchers from all over the place. It’s additionally a web site of volcanic exercise and that added to the serene environment, makes for a fantastic and memorable expertise.
Is The Forest Lagoon Price It?
Merely put, YES! Out of greater than 10 scorching springs we visited in Iceland, Forest Lagoon ranks up there as considered one of our favorites.
Forest Lagoon’s distinctive forest setting, accessible location, unbelievable facilities, and pristine magnificence simply supply an expertise that shouldn’t be missed. Many can argue that there are scorching swimming pools with higher facilities and luxurious, however there are few that may match the pure fantastic thing about Forest Lagoon, together with the entry that it supplies to all of the great close by sights within the space.
You need to undoubtedly add this place to your itinerary in the event you’re visiting Iceland!
Different Sizzling Springs in Iceland
You merely can’t go to Iceland with out indulging in a number of the best scorching springs the nation has to supply. Sizzling springs are an integral a part of the Icelandic expertise, and even the locals frequent them – and there are PLENTY of scorching springs in Iceland. A number of of our favorites are the Vok Baths and Hvammsvik, however you’ll be able to see all of our favorites right here!
Useful Iceland Journey Ideas
- Icelanders communicate Icelandic, however each single individual I got here throughout spoke English.
- The native forex is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATM’s are discovered all through the nation
- Have I discussed Iceland is dear? Nicely, it’s! Lower your expenses by consuming in and cooking for your self. Take a look at our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the ideas!
- Iceland is without doubt one of the most secure international locations on the earth; nonetheless, it’s at all times vital to make use of frequent sense when strolling alone at night time.
- Tipping isn’t customary in Iceland.
- Iceland has sturdy web infrastructure and it is best to be capable of simply keep related.
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