THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Soak in geothermal pools tucked against Vaðlaskógur forest and gaze across Eyjafjörður fjord. Forest Lagoon pairs warm mineral water, a swim-up bar, cold plunge and sauna in a two-hour wellness experience just outside Akureyri.
Soak in geothermal pools tucked against Vaðlaskógur forest and gaze across Eyjafjörður fjord. Forest Lagoon pairs warm mineral water, a swim-up bar, cold plunge and sauna in a two-hour wellness experience just outside Akureyri.
Steam threads up between trunks as you push through the last stand of birch and spruce and, beyond the trees, the lagoon opens like a quiet harbor. The water is a soft, mineral blue; fingers of heat roll against your shoulders while a view of Eyjafjörður fjord stretches to the horizon. At Forest Lagoon you trade the crackle of a city for the slow breath of Iceland’s northern forest — warm water, a swim-up bar, and a sauna whose cedar door sighs every few minutes with new arrivals.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Forest Lagoon · Akureyri, Northeastern Region
Steam threads up between trunks as you push through the last stand of birch and spruce and, beyond the trees, the lagoon opens like a quiet harbor. The water is a soft, mineral blue; fingers of heat roll against your shoulders while a view of Eyjafjörður fjord stretches to the horizon. At Forest Lagoon you trade the crackle of a city for the slow breath of Iceland’s northern forest — warm water, a swim-up bar, and a sauna whose cedar door sighs every few minutes with new arrivals.
Forest Lagoon sits on the edge of Vaðlaskógur, a managed woodland that marks one of Akureyri’s deliberate attempts to bring woodland back to northern Iceland’s coastline. The pools themselves are fed by geothermal energy, a legacy of Iceland’s volcanic plumbing: water warmed below the crust rises, mineral-rich and steady. The design reads as modern wellness: curved terraces, shallow social shelves, and an expanded pool area topping nearly 1,200 m² as of late 2025. Yet the effect is elemental—the water seems to hold the forest in a slow embrace while the fjord dares you to glance beyond.
Locals arrived early for post-work dips long before the spa became a curated destination; bathing and cold plunges are embedded in Nordic culture as an economical reset and a social ritual. In winter the Northern Lights can skim the sky; in midnight sun season, the light presses long against the water. Staff encourage a contrast routine—warm soak, brief cold plunge, then sauna—which ties back to circulatory and immune benefits studied in cold–hot therapy traditions across Scandinavia.
Practicalities: sessions run about two hours and include towel use and one drink (note: bottled wine excluded). Water temperatures usually hold between 37–39°C; outdoor weather can change where shallow edges feel warm and deeper spots feel cooler. The facility is wheelchair accessible, offers lockers, and provides free shuttle options from Akureyri. Children under 12 have a curfew and tickets are available on-site.
Plan to arrive a little early to choose a locker and acclimate—changing rooms are roomy but popular in peak hours. Bring a swimsuit, water-resistant shoes for wet surfaces, and a lightweight robe or dry clothes for the trip home in winter. If you want uncrowded photos, book sunset in summer or the blue hour in shoulder seasons; if you chase lights, reserve a winter evening.
Forest Lagoon is as much about ritual as it is about temperature—expect to leave with muscles loosened, lungs full of forest air, and a clearer perspective on why Icelanders treat bathing as both practice and pleasure.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; minimal exertion beyond walking to and from changing rooms.
Typical entry is for two hours which includes use of lockers, pools, sauna, and your complimentary towel and drink.
Yes — the facility is wheelchair accessible with suitable pathways and accessible surfaces.
Children 11 and younger are permitted until 8 PM; child tickets can be purchased on-site.
Yes, the admission includes a towel rental as part of the ticket.
Bottled wine is not included with the complimentary drink; outside food and drink policies vary so check with the bistro for current rules.
Pool temperatures generally range between 37–39°C, varying slightly with weather and specific pool areas.
Vaðlaskógur is part of a 20th-century reforestation effort in northern Iceland to restore woodlands and create recreational green space near Akureyri.
The lagoon operates with geothermal heating to minimize fossil fuel use and encourages guests to use lockers and reusable bottles to reduce single-use plastic.
Forest Lagoon operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Steam threads up between trunks as you push through the last stand of birch and spruce and, beyond the trees, the lagoon opens like a quiet harbor. The water is a soft, mineral blue; fingers of heat roll against your shoulders while a view of Eyjafjörður fjord stretches to the horizon. At Forest Lagoon you trade the crackle of a city for the slow breath of Iceland’s northern forest — warm water, a swim-up bar, and a sauna whose cedar door sighs every few minutes with new arrivals.
Steam threads up between trunks as you push through the last stand of birch and spruce and, beyond the trees, the lagoon opens like a quiet harbor. The water is a soft, mineral blue; fingers of heat roll against your shoulders while a view of Eyjafjörður fjord stretches to the horizon. At Forest Lagoon you trade the crackle of a city for the slow breath of Iceland’s northern forest — warm water, a swim-up bar, and a sauna whose cedar door sighs every few minutes with new arrivals.
Forest Lagoon sits on the edge of Vaðlaskógur, a managed woodland that marks one of Akureyri’s deliberate attempts to bring woodland back to northern Iceland’s coastline. The pools themselves are fed by geothermal energy, a legacy of Iceland’s volcanic plumbing: water warmed below the crust rises, mineral-rich and steady. The design reads as modern wellness: curved terraces, shallow social shelves, and an expanded pool area topping nearly 1,200 m² as of late 2025. Yet the effect is elemental—the water seems to hold the forest in a slow embrace while the fjord dares you to glance beyond.
Locals arrived early for post-work dips long before the spa became a curated destination; bathing and cold plunges are embedded in Nordic culture as an economical reset and a social ritual. In winter the Northern Lights can skim the sky; in midnight sun season, the light presses long against the water. Staff encourage a contrast routine—warm soak, brief cold plunge, then sauna—which ties back to circulatory and immune benefits studied in cold–hot therapy traditions across Scandinavia.
Practicalities: sessions run about two hours and include towel use and one drink (note: bottled wine excluded). Water temperatures usually hold between 37–39°C; outdoor weather can change where shallow edges feel warm and deeper spots feel cooler. The facility is wheelchair accessible, offers lockers, and provides free shuttle options from Akureyri. Children under 12 have a curfew and tickets are available on-site.
Plan to arrive a little early to choose a locker and acclimate—changing rooms are roomy but popular in peak hours. Bring a swimsuit, water-resistant shoes for wet surfaces, and a lightweight robe or dry clothes for the trip home in winter. If you want uncrowded photos, book sunset in summer or the blue hour in shoulder seasons; if you chase lights, reserve a winter evening.
Forest Lagoon is as much about ritual as it is about temperature—expect to leave with muscles loosened, lungs full of forest air, and a clearer perspective on why Icelanders treat bathing as both practice and pleasure.